Meet Anita Torres Guerrero, a self-made humanitarian from humble beginnings who is dedicated to uplifting the lives of Lakeside’s indigenous families.
Born in the Mexican State of Nayarit, Anita came from a family fraught with financial problems, food scarcity and other domestic difficulties. She knew what it was like to sleep on the floor. And she knew what it was like to be hungry, often surviving on only one meal a day. Bullied because of her family’s poverty, she changed high schools several times to escape the bullying.
As Anita grew up, she looked for opportunities to develop herself and to help others. She wanted to bring hope, change and opportunities to those who were living lives of deprivation, poverty and malnutrition – conditions with which she was all too familiar.
Fast forward to the present. Anita is now the dedicated social worker and community liaison for vulnerable indigenous families in and around San Pedro Itzicán, a small town on the lake, 28 kilometers east of Chapala. But prior to her current position, she needed further education and the income to pay for it.
Anita sought employment wherever she could find it, including restaurant work and a variety of other positions, and even competed successfully with men for lucrative truck driving jobs. Working multiple jobs allowed her to attend the Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Nayarit, Escuela de Trabajo Social (Technological Institute of Higher Studies of Nayarit, School of Social Work).
As an adjunct to her formal education, Anita volunteered in hospitals, prisons and with elderly people. She eventually earned her Licenciatura en Trabajo Social (Bachelor’s in Social Work), paving the way for her future. She then worked for a year in Tepic, Nayarit with Sistema Nacional para El Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (National System for Comprehensive Family Development), a public institution that focuses on improving the welfare of Mexican families.
Subsequently offered a good position in finance in Ocotlan, Anita accepted the job and moved to the municipality of Poncitlán. But she also followed her heart in wanting to help people who were struggling and began volunteering with the local Brigada Estatal de Protección Civil y Bomberos (State Brigade of Civil Protection and Firefighters). The volunteers provided critical services to neighborhoods and families and assisted individual children and adults in a variety of ways. This volunteer work opened Anita’s eyes to the plight of indigenous people in the area.
She began meeting indigenous families in nearby San Pedro Itzicán and was struck by how kind they were. But she also saw poverty, malnutrition and families struggling. And she became aware of serious illness (chronic kidney disease) among many children and adults. Anita knew this was exactly where she belonged and where she could help make a difference.
In a serendipitous set of circumstances, Anita met other Brigada volunteers who had very similar goals to hers. They envisioned improving the lives of vulnerable indigenous families – not just for the present, but for generations to come. Anita eventually became the lead volunteer with the local Brigada.
In 2017 the Lakeside volunteer group Poco a Poco San Pedro Itzicán, evolved from the Brigada group. Through donations and volunteer efforts, Poco a Poco established the Community Center in San Pedro Itzicán and is currently planning phase two of the Center’s development. A variety of projects have been implemented to improve and enhance the lives of indigenous families, with additional projects in the planning stages. In January 2025 Poco a Poco was given the official A.C. (Asociación Civil) designation that verifies not-for-profit status as a Mexican charity.
As the social worker in San Pedro Itzicán, Anita is an indispensable go-between, helping families, plus guiding and assisting Poco a Poco volunteers. She’s a valuable resource and tireless advocate for the families. As the first point of contact, Anita is consulted by families when problems arise. Anita then advises and coordinates with volunteers in finding solutions. She also collaborates with other charitable groups, Mexican organizations and government agencies.
Along the way, Anita earned an impressive list of certifications, holds health and humanitarian roles within local government, and has made significant strides in carrying out her vision to be of service to those less fortunate. Choosing to live near the families she serves, Anita has seen joy in new beginnings, helps celebrate achievements, and shares in the grief of endings. She’s witnessed births, and also watched young adults and children die far too young. And she helps families navigate their changing circumstances.
The families suffer from severe poverty and malnutrition, and many develop chronic kidney disease. The illiteracy rate is high, local employment is scarce, and families face difficulties in all areas of their lives. Without good nutrition and the means to pay for medical care, they are susceptible to serious illness. Chronic kidney disease due to nontraditional causes (CKDnt) is common among these families. The nontraditional causes of kidney disease include a combination of factors – poverty, malnutrition, unclean water, poor living conditions, sometimes hazardous work, other unhealthy lifestyle factors, plus the likelihood of a genetic component. The cluster of indigenous communities along Lake Chapala is known as a world hotspot for chronic kidney disease of nontraditional causes. And – not surprising – research has shown that CKDnt is also found in other poor indigenous communities throughout the world.
Anita is compassionate and gentle in helping Lakeside’s indigenous families but also adheres to the philosophy of helping people to help themselves. She knows it’s more meaningful and lasting to teach individuals how to work for what they want, instead of simply giving them what they lack. In a statement of tough love regarding local children, Anita said, “These children have to learn to work, instead of begging for what they want.”
A tireless ‘go-to’ person, Anita is a role model for working hard to achieve success, and an advocate for those who need someone to speak for them. She’s a voice for the vulnerable, and their guardian angel. Poco a Poco volunteers often wonder how she does it all. Commenting on Anita’s dedication, determination and ability to get things done, a veteran Poco a Poco volunteer marveled, “I don’t know when she sleeps.”
Anita and Poco a Poco San Pedro Itzicán, A.C. rely on the efforts and financial generosity of Lakeside residents in order to continue helping vulnerable families. Projects include a variety of educational activities, nutritious weekly lunches for children, help with school fees, vocational training programs for adults, and financial assistance related to medical expenses. New volunteers (including Spanish speakers) are needed, especially with on-site educational projects for adults and children in San Pedro Itzicán.
Learn more about Anita and Poco a Poco San Pedro Itzicán, A.C. at a presentation on Sunday, April 6th (10:30 a.m., Open Circle at Lake Chapala Society). The challenges of Lakeside’s indigenous families will be discussed, as well as chronic kidney disease of nontraditional causes, details about Poco a Poco’s current programs, future goals, and how you can help.
pocoapocosanpedro@gmail.com
www.pocoapocosanpedro.com
- A Voice For The Vulnerable - March 29, 2025
- OUR INDIGENOUS NEIGHBORS TO THE EAST - November 30, 2024
Great article about Anita Torres. Thank you Shannon.