Organization: Border Partners

Focus Areas:	Children, Technology, Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health, Poverty
Countries Served:	Mexico United States

Description of Services:
Working with local committees and village officials, we have identified four priority areas of need in Palomas: increasing income, improving health and education, and promoting sustainable technologies. We help people learn the skills they need to establish their own businesses and provide small loans when needed. We install play equipment in parks, build volleyball courts and offer free exercise classes. We work with families to plant year-round home gardens. We demonstrate the use of green building materials such as papercrete and build low cost solar cookers and promote their use. We are upgrading the computers in the schools and public library and find donated materials to enhance their equipment the and services they offer.
History:
Border Partners was started by Polly and Peter Edmunds who wanted to share skills from their professional experience to improve lives in Palomas, Chih., MX. The first project was to help a group of seven women start a business making and selling products made from Mexican oilcloth. Peter began teaching people in the community about using a simple solar cooker he had developed. Helena Myers joined the board and began sharing her gardening skills with families. After receiving tax-exempt status and a successful fundraising campaign we were able to hire two "Promoters" from Palomas in Jan. 2011. They work with volunteers from the U.S. now to start and build the programs we have in Palomas.
Accomplishments & Progress:
After three years working in Palomas, Border Partners has been part of the following change: 7 women have a successful oilcloth business; 3 people are paid to work with our programs; 10 families use solar cookers made in Palomas; There are now swings, climbers and volleyball courts in two town parks 12 families have bountiful home gardens; Computer services available at the town library/schools are improved; and 20 women attend a free aerobics class every week. Kids have built wooden toys, solar cookers and a wind generator. There is a greenhouse built of papercrete blocks. We are proud that we have established strong relationships with the mayor, the schools, the library and many others who work with us and attend our events.