Hi! I'm Luis Martinez from Tequio Foods. Tequio Foods sources our heirloom corn from many indigenous villages throughout Oaxaca. One of those villages is Matagallinas, an agricultural, indigenous Mixe village with 3,000 people, many of whom speak only their indigenous language and are almost completely self-sufficient. For years, they have spent years working together to create educational opportunities for their children and young people. Families have donated land, volunteered countless hours through tequio—the Indigenous tradition of collective community service—and partnered with government programs whenever possible. Their commitment demonstrates a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves the opportunity to learn close to home in a safe, dignified environment.

Today, this remarkable community has reached an important milestone—but they cannot finish the journey alone. We are raising $15,000 USD to complete essential improvements for two community schools that together serve more than 75 students, ensuring that children and teenagers have the learning spaces they deserve.

Why This Project Matters

Only a decade ago, the elementary school did not have its own building. Classes were held in the courtyard of the municipal agency building, where volunteer teachers worked tirelessly to educate children and even offered extracurricular activities, such as guitar lessons.

The school was created because many families simply could not afford to send their children to schools located in the municipal center. Some students walked for several hours each day just to receive a basic education.

Over the years, community members donated land, contributed volunteer labor, and worked alongside government programs to gradually build the school. Today, the elementary school has two classrooms and serves 35 students from first through sixth grade in a multigrade setting, where children of different grade levels learn together. However, one newly completed classroom remains largely unusable because it has no desks, tables, shelving, or teacher furniture. Government assistance is not guaranteed every year, and waiting until the next funding cycle could delay these improvements by another 2 years.

The community's middle school tells a similar story of perseverance. The El Portillo Matagallinas Middle School currently serves approximately 40 students, but many classes still take place in temporary facilities that limit learning opportunities. Through extraordinary community effort, land was donated, the first classroom was constructed, and electricity was extended more than 500 feet to reach the campus. Even with these accomplishments, students still lack basic restrooms and adequate classroom space needed for quality instruction and future computer education.

How Your Donation Will Help

Every dollar contributed will directly support projects identified and prioritized by the community itself.

Elementary School ($5,000).

Your support will furnish the newly completed classroom with:

These resources will allow every child to learn in a comfortable, organized, and motivating environment where teachers have the tools they need to provide quality instruction.

Middle School ($10,000)

Your donation will also help complete critical infrastructure by funding:

These improvements will create safer, healthier learning conditions while expanding educational opportunities for adolescents who wish to continue their education without leaving their community.

A Community Leading Its Own Future

This campaign is not about starting from nothing—it is about helping a community finish what it has already begun. Families have contributed land. Parents and neighbors have volunteered through tequio. Teachers continue serving students despite limited resources. Government programs have helped build the foundation, but important needs remain unmet.

Your donation will build upon years of community leadership, determination, and collective effort.

Together, we can help ensure that children have desks to sit at, teachers have classrooms to teach in, students have safe and hygienic restrooms, and young people have access to educational opportunities that strengthen both their futures and their connection to their Indigenous Mixe community.

Whether you give $20, $50, $100, or share this campaign with others, you become part of a partnership that invests in education, dignity, and opportunity.

Thank you for standing with the children, families, teachers, and community of El Portillo Matagallinas, Ayutla, Mixe, Oaxaca. Every contribution brings this community one step closer to providing the learning environment its students have worked so hard to build.