The Tarahumara Project got its start at Lakeside in 2006, while Libby Townsend and other volunteers were busy collecting warm coats and blankets for the Tarahumara, or Raramuri, as they call themselves – indigenous people inhabiting the Copper Canyon region of northwestern Mexico.
“We usually have a big push this time of year for blankets and warm clothing,” says Townsend. “It snows in that region and during the winter the temperature can often drop to below freezing.”
The office where Townsend works as office manager for the Guadalajara Reporter also happens to be the yearly drop-off location for donations.
With a passion to help these indigenous people, once a year Townsend loads up her pickup truck and hauls the collected coats and blankets to workers at the Tarahumara free children’s hospital in Creel – one of the largest towns in the Copper Canyon region.
The workers distribute the blankets and clothing to those most in need,” she says. “With anywhere between 60 and 110,000 Tarahumara living in the vast Copper Canyon area, some of the area’s church groups also get involved with distribution.”
In addition to providing warm clothing and blankets to these indigenous people, Townsend hosts a yard sale in mid-January at her home in Riberas del Pilar, to raise money for Creel’s children’s hospital.
“With an average stay of ten days, most of the hospital patients are there for long-term care,” she says. “The children are usually dealing with serious illnesses such as tuberculosis, gastrointestinal problems and pneumonia. Last year the hospital took in over 5,000 patients.”
During the 12 years of its existence, the Tarahumara Project has successfully raised between 13,000 and 32,000 pesos annually – all through the annual yard sale. Last year it raised 19,000 pesos, with all proceeds going to the children’s hospital.
“They truly believe that it is up to them to keep the world alive through their rituals and beliefs. Unfortunately, what’s happening to them is what happened to the Plains Indians of North America.”
Because the Tarahumara are indigenous and born in caves, they don’t have birth certificates nor addresses; therefore, they can’t register to vote, so they don’t really exist. This means that others can take advantage of them.
“They sell their baskets to the tourists for next to nothing,” says Townsend. “We want to show them how their work is not only beautiful, but valuable and worth more than what they’re asking for it.”
Townsend reflects on yet another admirable trait of the Tarahumara people.
“These people believe it’s a sin to keep something for themselves when someone else needs it. If we were to give them 100 pounds of beans, they would take only what they need for that day and give the rest to the other villagers. Their strength comes from sharing with one other.”
Townsend is collecting items for January’s annual yard sale (the date will be announced in the Guadalajara Reporter). Donations can be dropped off at the Guadalajara Reporter office at Plaza Bugambilias in Ajijic, or one can arrange to have their items picked up. Call: 376-766-3338 or email Townsend at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..