Profiling Tepehua – June 2024

When generous, enthusiastic and intelligent heads were put together in the early days of Chapala’s hillside barrio of Tepehua (15-20 years ago), the possibilities and ideas were endless. Here was a very poor community with little hope for a brighter future, waiting for SOMETHING, and along came Moonie King and her team. Little by little they put in place programs which not only improved the lives of the local people, but more importantly gave them ownership and responsibility to be a part of the process. The main objective was to take care of basic needs, which in this case involved establishing a medical clinic, pharmacy, and dental clinic. In time, educational support, a sewing program, a feeding program, and English classes were added to the mix. 

One of the more recent programs to be included into Tepehua’s repertoire is a Potable Water Distribution Center. This has been met with great success and has benefitted many local people living under the poverty line. 

Our local drinking water, straight from the tap, without filtration, can bring with it a number of serious health issues: gastrointestinal problems caused by well water tainted with human and animal fecal runoff, kidney issues caused by the high mineral content found in our lakeside well water, sick babies nursed by mothers consuming the contaminated water, along with the prevalence of diabetes among locals who cannot afford the clean water and choose to substitute it with sugary sodas. 

Many of the health issues dealt with at the Tepehua Medical Clinic were a result of consuming contaminated water, and a great deal of effort was put into educating the people to the importance of clean drinking water, but the bottom line always came down to economics – many families just couldn’t afford it. 

In 2020, when Covid-19 hit and the local economy went topsy-turvy, the water problem reared its glaring head, and Tepehua accepted the challenge of addressing it. Rotary stepped in to help install a potable water unit up at the Center which offered the promise of clean drinking water to the locals at a controlled price.  The plan was to sell water to those who could afford it for a small additional price which then allowed a poor family to receive the same water at a free or low cost. Little by little, the people would be able to make healthier choices. 

Along with Rotary’s assistance, a private donor provided monies to cover the cost of a water delivery truck. Additionally, the proceeds from the 2022 annual late-October “Thriller” dance event added more financial support. These donations not only purchased the delivery truck, but also put in a small water distribution plant in the small village of La Peña, located near San Pedro Itzacan.

Now, four years later, this is a sustainable program, licensed to sell water by the local Health Department, which provides potable water through a reverse osmosis system, able to supply 300 five-gallon garrafónes per day. The water is clear and tastes great! Carlos Sanabria, our long time Tepehua employee, runs the program with the assistance of his son, Carlitos, and delivers from Chapala to West Ajijic.

Prices are 40 pesos for 5 gallons/19 liters of water (plus 100 pesos for the new garrafón) OR 20 pesos for 10 liters of water (plus 50 pesos for the new garrafón). Once you are set up with your garrafón, you just trade in your empty and only pay for water. Garrafónes of water are also available at Tepehua Treasures Thrift shop in Riberas.