The boarding home for Rarámuri indigenous children in the parish of Our Lady of Loreto located in Sierra Tarahumara (Chinatú, Chihauhua, Mexico) was founded by the Jesuits in the 1940’s and later administered by the Marists. One year ago, that religious group was unable to continue in that ministry and the Diocese of Tarahumara entrusted this ministry to the Congregation of the Mission which administers the parish. When the Marists left this ministry, the boarding school lost the sponsorship of the Civil Association and the Foundation that financed it.

In addition to the parish, the confreres (together with MISEVI) take care of a boarding home for 27 children and collaborate in the promotion of two other boarding homes that are located within the parish boundaries. Assistance is most urgent because these homes are located in the poorest municipality of Mexico (Batopilas) and are surrounded by other marginalized municipalities where the Vincentian Family helps people with their basic needs, such as food, blankets, clothing, medications, etc.

For the purpose of obtaining resources for the boarding home and the other projects that are attached to the mission in Sierra Tarahumara, the Congregation of the Mission has established the Institute for the Integrity of the Rarámuri (a non-governmental organization that has as its:

Mission:

We are involved in the struggle against poverty through programs that promote the well-being and the integral development of the indigenous communities in Sierra Tarahumara.

Vision:

We are inspired by a vision of the integrity of creation, the value of community support and strengthening the Rarámuri communities.

General Objective:

To better the livelihood of 1,000 beneficiaries with a period of three years … and to accomplish this through six programs that are focused on nutrition, education, and health.

This non-governmental organization maintains programs for the social development of the people it serves help provide people with some of their most basic needs. Furthermore, out of respect for the beneficiaries and in order to diminish the replacement of the language of these people, all the programs are carried out and utilize the Rarámuri language:

No.                  Rarámuri                     Translation                          Object                                      Type
1                    Towi Porúi              Home for children       Boarding home (Education)     Human Promotion
2                    Chukor rim                  Delicious food              Food assistance                        Assistance
3               Yumare rarámuri  Tarahumara celebration      Cultural promotion                      Promotion
4                      Ke rurem                    I am not cold            Clothing and housing                   Assistance
5            Nisera kim ropowa    Take care of your body     Medical and Dental Care            Assistance
6           Notzama napawica      Let us work together           Effective support                      Promotion

The charism of Saint Vincent de Paul has found a privileged place to work on behalf of the poor in this mission area and we are proud to be able to be part of this endeavor. We also want to inspire more people to live in accord with the customs of their people and thus, to strengthen the Rarámuri communities.

If you want to know more about these projects you can go to our webpage: inspiraac.org or you can write us at inspira_ac@hotmail.com or WhatsApp +52 6271338112.

Carlos Villalobos, CM
Province of Messico.