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Alborada de San Luis Potosi, S.S.S.
(en espaņol)

 Alborada de San Luis Potosi, S.S.S. is the umbrella organization for two major organizations: La Esperanza del Pueblo (the Hope of the Community) and Trabajando por el Progreso Alborada de Tinaja (Workers for a Progressing Dawn of La Tinaja), which are both based in the small town of La Tinaja with a population of 800 in central Mexico.
La Esperanza del Pueblo: This agri-business cooperative has several components including the jam and jelly venture, cheese production, and bakery. Along with these business ventures, however, La Esperanza also support projects which promote cultural heritage. Through the organization, individuals have formed a community band and choir, established a local library, and started a natural health clinic drawing upon indigenous techniques.

Trabajando por el Progreso Alborada de Tinaja: This organization works directly with producers and farmers on rural development issues. The organization is currently examing a promising cactus venture, to grow nopal (cactus) year round and market throughout Mexico.

The main employer in La Tinaja is an egg factory, which pays very little for the standard 8 hour day of work. The lack of industry creates a drain in the community, which most young people have left to seek adequate employment in the United States or Mexico City. In 1986, when Pepe Herrera Marcos and his wife Maria de Carmen Lomeli moved in with Maria's family in La Tinaja, the small, rural community would soon change. Motivated by their Christian faith and their calling to work with the indigenous and impoverished populations, Pepe and Carmen began to organize. After meeting with community members and discussing their needs, several individuals began a small cooperative store, which community members own, run, and shop at to buy basic necessities. The store is still running strong today, selling nearly $300 per week.
Once the organizing and hope began, it could not be stopped. Now the organization creates and markets jams, jellies, and pickled products throughout Mexico. In the near future, the organization hopes to add to their list of projects a cheese producation and local bakery. Soon, a cheese production and local bakery. The organizations have been effective in keeping people in the community, empowering individuals (especially women), and serving as a model and training ground for other communities.

Cooperative member Emilio Reyne Gonsalez reflects, "I like to work on anything that benefits the group. Sometimes we go forward and sometimes we don't. What worries me is that I have little time left and we have much work to do"  
Founder Herrera Marcos, who is leaving the community after 15 years due to other obligations, is pictured above in the cooperative store. He jokes about his absense and growth of the organization, "After 15 years, we let the women in the countryside dance. Our organization can do a new dance, as well."

 

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