Profiling Tepehua – June 2025

A day in the life of the Tepehua Community Center

It’s Friday, one of the busier days at our community center, located on the hill above Chapala. It can be accessed from downtown Chapala, from the carretera in Lourdes, or from the libramiento – then along a long wiggly backroad through the barrio of Puerta del Horno (door of the oven) and on up the hill. It’s nestled amidst houses and tiendas in the poor barrio of TEPEHUA.

The Community Center door to the main office opens and Sandra Zamora, Tepehua’s director, and Esperanza Serna, head of the Education program, are meeting with parents about scholarships that have either been granted to their child or regarding their acceptance into the program. Scholarships are high in demand as every little bit helps these families. Tepehua financially helped over 150 students achieve their educational dreams during this past academic year.

Out the back door of the center, you can access the medical clinic and pharmacy. Patients may be in the reception room, waiting their turn to see the doctor or nurse. They also may be in line at the pharmacy where medications are available (with a prescription when needed) at no or low cost.

If this were a Wednesday, you’d be seeing pregnant women or young mothers with their babies at the clinic. This day is set aside for the Maternal Health Program run by Olga Lara, a local woman who has been involved with the program’s beginnings about a decade and a half ago.

Across the courtyard, one passes the water purification program run by Carlos Sanabria who has also been with Tepehua since early days. He may be there washing and filling bottles or may be on the road delivering the garrafónes of clean water.

Farther on is the dental clinic where a local dentist comes once a week to address the oral needs of Tepehua’s population

Across the small hallway is a bazaar for the locals. Donations from the thrift shop that aren’t suitable for sale in Riberas are sent there to sell to locals at super low prices.

Things at the center close after noon for family comidas, but the facility reopens at 3 on Fridays for English lessons with Mark Skeivanek. He teaches English to approximately 10 students, ages 8-14.

Other days one may see the sewing program in full gear – planning, cutting or sewing their quality wares that are available for sale at the thrift shop in Riberas.

On days when dispensas (basic food goods) are handed out, women will be lined up outside the office to receive their staples and have their name checked off the list.

An important part of the Tepehua team are the local women who come in early Thursday morning to clean the facility. With this weekly work, they receive education tokens for their children or other opportunities that are available to them.
This well-oiled Tepehua team was started 15 years ago by Moonie King and her passionate team. Although she has now left us, we know she would be proud of her legacy and how the Mexican people have stepped forward to pick up the reins.

All of this is supported by generous private donations, grants, and sales from the Tepehua Treasures thrift shop in Riberas. Every day new treasures arrive, lovingly sorted and displayed by its amazing volunteers.

If you have visited our store either by purchasing or donating gently used items, you too are a part of the team, and WE THANK YOU! If not, we welcome you to stop by Mondays through Saturday 12-3. Amazing treasures await you there and all proceeds go to support the deserving community of Tepehua.