en inglés

First Expo-Bazaar of women graduates of the program. Photo: Courtesy.

Héctor Ruiz Mejía – At least 22 women from the municipality of Jocotepec are benefitting from the Second Chance program of the United Nations, provided through Pro México San Juan Cosalá.

The program is designed to combat gender inequality faced by Mexican women. It currently operates in only three states: Puebla, Jalisco and the State of Mexico. Second Chance says that in 2019, only 45 percent of Mexican women were part of the labor force, while 77 of men were employed. This is one of the lowest figures of the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The UN also disclosed that of the 4.7 million Mexicans over 15 years of age who are illiterate, more than 61 percent are women.

Through Pro México, comprehensive support is being provided to women in the riverside municipality. They are taught topics such as personal finances and they gain new skills through a series of workshops. They also learn about becoming entrepreneurs using the skills they acquire, and they learn how to develop a life plan.

María Sara Alicia López Macías, a 60-year-old retired teacher, is a good example of a woman who received a Second Chance. After her retirement, the income she was earning decreased considerably. That and a lack of activities began to affect her state of mind.

Second Chance seeks to generate more opportunities for women in the labor and academic fields, as well as to increase the presence of women in leadership positions. Photo: Courtesy.

“I had all the time in the world, but I didn’t know how to use it. Besides, before my retirement I was earning not as much as my pension, so I needed to find another source of income,” said Sara, a graduate of the program, one of the first two generations.

Thanks to the Second Chance program, Sara managed to consolidate her brand of dehydrated fruits such as lentils and poblano strips, seductive wines with different flavors of blueberry, grape, plum and tamarind, as well as different flavors of tizanas called “teas for the soul, because they evoke memories of my childhood,” she said. For her brand, she chose the name “Masali,” inspired by her own name.

“The Bazaar was a great success,” said Blanca Padilla, one of the people in charge of Pro México. “Approximately 300 people sold their products and offered their services.”

Padilla said the program represents an important tool for the women of the riverbanks. While some need to increase their income, other women are in situations of violence, and the program represents the only lifeline to leave their aggressors. One current program participant has a device called a life pulse, created to safeguard the integrity of women in a situation of domestic violence.

Blanca Padilla urged the community to support the association. She pointed to a lack of resources and said the idea is to be able to reach more women. To support the program, call 3333-2586-63 or email e.solidariapromexico@gmail.com.

Translated by Mike Rogers

Jalisco Prosecutor’s Office file.

Ismael «N,» accused of robbing a house in San Juan Cosalá, Jocotepec, will be held in jail for the duration of his trial. 

Ismael “N” was allegedly trying to take hand tools on December 4th. The victim caught him in the act and called the municipal police, who managed to arrest him and take him into custody.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office then prepared an investigative file in which they proved the probable commission of the crime of aggravated robbery. The case is being prosecuted. 

Translated by Colleen Beery

Two private vehicles were involved in the accident

On Tuesday, December 14,  there was another collision on the Chapala-Jocotepec highway in Upper La Floresta. The incident involved two private vehicles.  

A turquoise Notte hit a white Versa at the first traffic circle in La Floresta, one street away from El Torito, at the entrance to Ajijic. The collision caused a huge traffic jam, which cleared once the damaged  vehicles were brought to the side of the road. 

Translated by Colleen Beery

By Leticia Trejo

Is being in shape something you can see? 

Of course, the very word «shape» answers the question, we see shapes with the sense of sight therefore we will associate this concept with the shape of the body. If we are slim and with noticeable muscles and a low percentage of body fat surely they will tell us that we are in shape, but in abstract concepts shapes are also intangible, but not for that reason non-existent. What I mean is that we can also apply this concept to the mind, it is intangible, but it exists, and there are its problems, its crises, its potentials, and its capabilities.

Within the philosophy of the sage Patanjali (Gonarda, Kashmir India year 256 B.C.) in the Yoga Sutras are described the activities (vrittis) of the mind (internal instrument) also described in other Eastern philosophies, since according to these thoughts or currents is there where the afflictions that obscure the serenity, coherence, and clarity of perception are developed. In the book «The disease as a path», the authors Torwald Dethlefsen and Rudiger Dahlke argue that it is the lack of harmony in our mind that makes us lose our health and be sick constantly, a thought supported more and more frequently by prominent scientists such as Dr. Bruce Lipton, The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter & Miracles, precursor of the study of epigenetics which states that our mind has the power to materialize and change the information of our cells at will. Some sages even say that we have the ability, once in perfect control of our mind, to see beyond it, which is where certainty really exists.

«Belief is mental, confidence is a sense of certainty, conviction is experienced certainty», said Sri Aurobindo.

This profound phrase of Sri Aurobindo lets us see that doubt is mental, duality pigeonholes us, makes us rigid and judgmental: either it is good or it is bad, either it is beautiful or it is ugly, either it is smart or it is dumb, once we are always carried away by this mind game we are destined to reject and feel aversion for the other side of what we have decided as true. This is neither good nor bad, it is simply one of the mind’s activities to «help» us make decisions, but this duality can unleash intense conflicts if we get the wrong side.

Just like improving our physical condition, improving our mental activities, in order to have an efficient emotional management and discernment requires attention and adequate and constant training and also a lot of honesty. If we are able to practice self-observation, leaving aside criticism, comparison, qualification and judgment we could realize if, as the Buddhists say, our thoughts are productive or unproductive. But the mind is like a bullet train, its activity is intense, agile, restless, and fast as its task is to solve our day-to-day, the everyday, and the extraordinary, emergencies and conflicts. 

So the suggestions I can share with you are the following: learn tools that help you to slow down your mind, take long and slow inhalations and exhalations, meditate, do gentle physical activity, eat healthily, try to sleep with serenity, and visit a psychologist or therapist with whom you feel comfortable and can express yourself with sincerity.

Open your heart as an antidote to mental disturbance by practicing truth, compassion, tranquility, and non-violence.

Translated by Kerry Watson

Arturo Ortega (Chapala, Jal). – With the mission of giving a toy to the neediest children in Chapala and also to support the poor children of the mountains of Durango, the 2021 edition of the annual toy collection will be held on December 17, 18, and 19, in the town plaza of the municipal capital.

The goal set for this year’s collection is to collect 1,501 non-warlike toys for the children of the neediest homes in Chapala. 500 of the toys will be given to the children of the Sierra de Durango, through the Tobatam Franciscan Mission, as announced by the organizers on their official Facebook account.

The President of Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel, extended an invitation to residents to participate and support this noble tradition that has been taking place for 12 years in the municipal capital.

«I want to tell you that this Christmas season we are going to increase what is already a tradition in our municipality, there is a group of young people who have organized the toy drive and I want to invite everyone to participate. Let’s support with what we can in this collection of toys and gifts,» shared the mayor through a video posted on the Facebook page of the City Council. 

The toys collected will be distributed in Chapala neighborhoods a few days before  December 25, the date on which Christmas is celebrated.

Translated by Kerry Watson

The mayor of Chapala, Alejandro Aguirre, during the delivery of support to families affected by the landslides of October 5, in the neighborhood of La Canacinta, Ajijic.

Editor. – With the idea of getting closer to citizens and solving their problems regarding public services, the mayor of Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel, announced on his Facebook page: Acción por Chapala, that he will carry out the «Miércoles Contigo» program in the neighborhoods and towns of the municipality. 

Aguirre Curiel reported that he will visit the neighborhoods of the municipality to learn first-hand the suggestions and complaints of the citizens regarding public services. 

The visits will be made on a traveling basis in the neighborhoods and towns of  the municipality. The visits will be accompanied by municipal public servants, as was the case during the delivery of backpacks, school supplies, shoes and uniforms at the Ignacio L. Vallarta High School in the community of Atotonilquillo.  The support corresponds to the second stage of the program «Recrea Educando para Vida» (Recreate Educating for Life).  

Translated by Sydney Metrick

Secured house where the search for evidence leading to the whereabouts of persons reported as “missing” is being carried out.

The search for skeletal remains in a house in Chapala continues. The Jalisco Prosecutor’s Office said some bone fragments and several synthetic drug wrappers have been found on the property that was seized October 1.  

Since the beginning of the month, personnel from the Jalisco Institute of Forensic Sciences and the Jalisco Prosecutor’s Office have been working on the property. So far, only a couple of human bones and some clothes have been found.  

The house is on Navarro Street, at the intersection with Juarez, near Madero Avenue, the main avenue of Chapala. It is close to a department store and the truck station. The walls have scratches and drawings alluding to the so-called “holy death.”

Street vendors on Morelos street

Héctor Ruiz Mejía – As of January 1, the municipal president of Jocotepec, José Miguel Gómez López, intends that all public spaces in the municipal capital will be free of street vendors. In particular, Morelos and Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez streets in the downtown area. 

Gómez López wants the merchants to occupy the spaces of the municipal market of Jocotepec, which was remodeled in recent years, and to which he intends to give life. He says many customers do not go into the market because much of the trade has been stationed for years along Morelos and Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez streets, surrounding the market. 

«No one will invade the streets,» said the mayor, who during his two administrations, has been unyielding in his decision to «free» the streets and curbs from the irregular commerce along those streets. 

However, according to the interviewee, there will not be room in the market for all the street vendors, because he says that only those who have been working for five years or more will be taken into account.

«Not all of them will enter the market. The long-term vendors will enter, those who have been working for five years. Those who set up only two, three years ago will be relocated» said the mayor.

Jocotepec municipal market

Regarding the merchants who will not have space in the market, the other areas to be set up by City Hall they will be relocated have not yet been specified. Thus, with uncertainty regarding their sales, some of the vendors have resigned themselves to occupy what will be their new place, who are grateful, at least to be able to continue with their sales during the Christmas season.

«At least in December, which is a good date, we will be able to continue here, to see if sales will pick up, as they have been really worrying,» said one of the vendors who has dedicated his whole life to the sale of fruit and currently nopales (cactus).

Thus, after two previous warnings, the dispute between the mayor and the street vendors for public space will culminate in the project that «will give life» to the controversial Morelos Market, which the mayor of Jocotepec views as a good thing and assures that the sales of the merchants will not be affected. 

«I’m not going to take food out of anyone’s mouth,» said José Miguel, who added that at the beginning there will be a drop in sales, but once people see that everyone is inside, consumers will have no choice but to enter the market to buy.

Thus, he declared that he will bring order to chaos, free the streets «appropriated» by street vendors and revive the remodeled market, which is dead inside. “The established, formal market will prevail, otherwise it will become a no man’s land», he explained. 

Translated by Kerry Watson

At the construction site they found four piles of stacked branches, belonging to about 15 trees, mostly Palo Dulce, as well as Ocote or Montezuma Pine (trees native to Mexico) uprooted by a bulldozer

Héctor Ruiz Mejía: The feeling of at least 60 native trees in the place known as «El Limón» hill, located in San Juan Cosalá, unleashed strong protest from the residents so that after an inspection by the City Council, the company will be fined.

However, the municipal authorities are waiting for the representatives of the construction site to show up to resolve the controversy. According to one of the inspectors of the Department of Ecology, after going to the site following a citizen report, they found four piles of branches piled up at the construction site, belonging to about 15 trees, mostly Palo Dulce, as well as Montezuma Pine (trees native to Mexico), which were uprooted by a bulldozer that ran over them.

«When I arrived, the machine was stopped, apparently a screw came loose from the bulldozer, otherwise we would have caught them in the act of logging,» commented the inspector.

The controversial work that aroused the alarm of the residents  of San Juan Cosalá, so far has not been confirmed if it has the corresponding permits. According to Daniel Garavito, director of Ecology, the work has not been approved by the agency.

«I don’t know if the Urban Development has all the documentation in order, however, the architect in charge of the work was summoned here in Ecology to clarify what happened, but he did not show up», said the interviewee.

So far, according to the director, the builders are not allowed to continue with their activities until they are regularized

So far, according to the director, the builders are not allowed to continue with their activities until they are regularized, however, he assured that inspectors from San Juan Cosalá will go to the site to confirm that they have effectively stopped any operation.

The official said that there is no authorization from Ecology and Protection for the company Constructora TAC to carry out any construction in the area, so they are still waiting for them to present themselves at City Hall to verify the alleged permits. 

According to the Revenue Law of the municipality of Jocotepec, Jalisco for the fiscal year 2021, the fine for felling, pruning, cutting, destroying, or mistreating any kind of tree, without observing the provisions of the Public Service Regulations of Parks and Gardens of the Municipality of Jocotepec, Jalisco, ranges from 2,090 pesos to 10,887.52 pesos.

Furthermore, the situation is aggravated because according to information from the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO), the Palo Dulce grows in arid zones, and its territory is limited to central Mexico, making it a rare species.

Daniel Garavito himself urged the community to report any logging activity and to raise awareness because «logging is something that affects us all equally.”

Translated by Kerry Watson

Ajijic Sports Unit, located in La Floresta, Camino Real street, next to the DIF.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)– Work  will restart at the Ajijic sports facilities , and cleaning is underway, said  Maximiliano «Max» Macías, who added that the government will try  to rehabilitate more sports spaces in Ajijic.

Work on the sports complex began in September 2016, with an initial investment of four million pesos, and was intended to be completed in November of that same year. The project  design featured two 7-a-side soccer fields, multipurpose court, gymnasium and children’s games.T he first stage was inaugurated in 2017, and after that date, no further work was done, except for cleaning.

For Macías Arceo, it did not make sense to open  the complex to the public (during the past administration)  because the sports space located to the east of Ajijic «lacked  many things». 

«I don’t know why at the time it was opened; it is not one hundred percent finished, it lacks many things», added Max.

Macías Arceo said that both he and the person in charge of the Municipal Sports Council (COMUDE) of Ajijic, Alejandro González, are sticking  to the original project; however, he clarified that it is urgent to place an entrance door. 

«The first cleaning was to make it easier to find where each thing goes, such as, for example, the bathrooms. At the beginning we did not find the track, due to the weeds that grew up while  it was abandoned for a long time,» clarified Max. 

Finally, he announced that they will not only focus on the Ajijic sports facilities but also on other sites where there are courts, for example, the Bajío or La Zapotera courts, where there is a willingness on the part of the residents to support. 

«One of the campaign promises was to promote sports. On the other hand, as for the  sports complex, we want to deliver at least 90 percent of it,» he concluded.

Translated  by Patrick O’Heffernan