Our support for community healthcare is inspired by traditional indigenous healthcare practices that have existed for millennia, and also by the Zapatista Autonomous Health System. Today, under “modernity” many communities, while gaining limited access to state-run health care, are neglected by a system that values profit over people.
Community health takes approaches well-being holistically, taking into consideration all of the factors affecting our health. Our work with women from organized communities centers their shared experience and knowledge, in order to build a foundation for health that is rooted in the richness of their own territory.
Drawing on the ‘health promoter’ example from the Zapatista Health System, we support education of community members in the services that are most needed by the community. This strategy defends local knowledge while ensuring that the health care providers are rooted in and trusted by the community. In this model, community volunteers participate in ongoing health education and practice, in order to then pass on that knowledge in their families and communities.
Over the years, Schools for Chiapas’ work with health promoters has included support and facilitation for educational workshops on herbal medicine, preparations, and nutrition. We have supported autonomous health centers with equipment, supplies, and educational materials whenever possible. Now, as the Zapatista communities have been involved in internal reorganization, we have begun working with independent communities who are not necessarily Zapatista support bases, but who are organized along Zapatista principles.
We are thrilled to be working currently with women from the communities of the Frente Cívico Tonalteco on the coast of Chiapas, organizing workshops in herbal medicine and prevention and providing materials which support traditional health practices.
Since spring of 2024, we have been working with women from 8- 12 organized communities, in workshops ranging from botanical preparations, to first aid, to nutrition and prevention. We are thrilled to share that these workshops are being replicated in other communities, and passing along these life-giving skills!
**The funds raised at this time are not going to Zapatista communities, but to support the efforts of indigenous communities inspired by the Zapatista communities to build their own autonomy in health.