Tepehua Centro Comunitario
Helping a Village to Help Itself
The Tepehua neighborhood is situated on the hillside above downtown Chapala. It is considered one of the poorest neighborhoods in the state of Jalisco. There are many challenges here – from drug and alcohol abuse to crime and violence. Many children are not registered for school as they are lacking the necessary documents such as birth and vaccination certificates. As we can imagine, without an education their future is bleak.
In 2010 a small group of volunteers had an idea to open a community center to help the people of Tepehua stand on their own. Their vision was to help a village to help itself. To create a place the poor of the village could go for food, counseling, guidance and help of any kind.
Funds were raised and a 99 year lease to the building was obtained. Soon renovations to an empty building began, with the support of the Rotary Club. In November 2010 the building was ready to start a soup kitchen. This was to introduce the center to the villagers but more importantly to gain the trust of the people in order to have them register. Registration would help us understand the particular needs of each family. Local people joined in to help the center grow and to meet their neighbors in a social group. A counseling program soon followed which then created a need to a nursery as the women could not leave their children home alone. A bazaar came next, where those registered can shop for pre-loved clothing. Every day needs for new programs became evident.
Click to see the history of the Center.
Local Tepehua women now volunteer at the center, bringing back a sense of pride to the people and the community, with the hope of showing their children a better way.
We are a not-for-profit organization registered with the Mexican Government.
Tepehua Centro Comunitario AC
Calle Ramón Chávez 16
Tepehua 45900 Chapala
Jalisco, Mexico