Organizacion Regional Nahuatl Independiente (ORNI)

"When the poor believe in the poor, we can sing liberty."

- Salvadorian Folk Song

When the Catholic Church helped organized small groups of indigenous people to come together and reflect on their reality, they did not know the outcome would be the formation of Organacio´n Regional Nahuatl Independiente (ORNI). President of ORNI, Lucy remembers the first of these meetings: "We discovered the Word of God and wanted to give an answer to God."

The answer the communities gave was to began working together, cooperatively. The seven small groups, who were meeting in the communities surrounding a dam in near Necaxa, Puebla, came together on Easter, to share with each other their dreams and the path to reach those dreams. ORNI was born as a vehicle to help the seven communities learn and support one another while reaching for these dreams. The group has experimented with different cooperative farming projects, including organic greens, chickens and rabbits, and organic soil. Today, the group continues with a money-lending program for members that has funded entrepreneurial projects, such as a stores, small cactus farm, and cut-flower business. In 1999, ORNI hosted over 80 individuals from throughout Mexico for others to learn about ORNI's effective method of community organizing.

ORNI is:
COMMUNITY:

"ORNI is like everyone together" - Gudelia "In one way or another, we've supported each other. Together we can go and do things." - Violeta "ORNI is a place to keep secrets, guard the earth, and dream dreams. To me, ORNI is solidarity." - Sister Hilde "The reality that we are living is that when you see someone sick, you can ask them how they are; you keep a fund of money to lend. It is not just me who need material things, it is my brothers."

SPACE:

ORNI built their own building in a place called Tamoancha, which is a native word similar to the concept of Eden, where one has everything one needs. Three members were sent to the city to learn from an architect that combined stucco with hay to create an affordable, efficient, and easy to build home. With much volunteer labor from members and financial help from a domestic NGO, ORNI soon christened their new building in a indigenous ritual giving thanks to the land. "ORNI is a space where I can learn. We earned this space." - Remi "We wanted something for ourselves." - Lucy "The truth is for me, ORNI is a space where I can learn things, from my companions and from visitors. We know we can share openly here." - Francisco

TRAINING AND EMPOWERMENT:

ORNI uses their space to facilitate community gatherings, but also as a space of intensive learning empowerment. For cooperative member Remi , through ORNI she was given the training to devise her own business plan and the support for her and two other members to began their own small store. Through carefully planning, Remi and her two partners Juana and Anastasia have been able to offer lower prices, which is good for their business and for the community.

"I use to be one of these people who didn't like to speak, but ORNI has helped me find my words, to speak to authority, to mature" - Remi

"We used to be closed in and we didn't know how to defend ourselves. Not anymore" - Anastasia

"We have gotten to meet people from the outside. Now we've gotten to know more and move forward. That's what ORNI is for me, MOVING FORWARD" - Juana

CARE FOR THE EARTH:

In this region of Necaxa, which is lush and fertile, selling potted plants is a dominant industry. What concerns members of ORNI, however, is how quickly the industry and erosion has removed the fertile soil from the area. In fields previously with rich soil one meter deep, remains only 20 centimeters of fertile ground. "We are a small group, but yet it seems one of the few who understands about the loss of soil. Even with the small plants, soil is leaving our land and it will never come back. So what are we going to grow? We have to survive," states former President and cooperative member Juan Maldonado. For these reasons, ORNI is looking into focusing on marketing cut-flowers. Through such a business, they are share the beauty of their region with others, while caring for the earth and supporting themselves.

CULTURE:

As an indigenous organization, ORNI also seeks to carry on the traditions of the native ancestors through dress, language, religion, and customs. Recently, the group organized a pilgrimage to a sacred hill of the Nahuatl people. Though the process was long and difficult, it was a beautiful experience. "When the old ones, saw the young ones practicing their heritage, they were very happy, because the young ones were doing it in the light." explains Lucy. Previously, the elders of the community would make the pilgrimage in secret, but no longer thanks to ORNI's work in reclaiming the indigenous traditions.

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