Schools for Chiapas is neither a traditional NGO (non-governmental organization), nor are we affiliated with any government. Schools for Chiapas was created the mid-1990’s by individuals searching for ways to make the world a better place. Much of the work of Schools for Chiapas has taken place within the rural Zapatista communities of Chiapas, Mexico; only gradually have we expanded our efforts beyond the Mexican southeast.
Using words taken from the internet communications of the indigenous rebels of Chiapas, in 1994 we began by creating a well-received performance piece entitled, ‘Yo Soy Zapatista”. After receiving a poetic letter of invitation (from the Sup himself!), a small group traveled to Chiapas as observers to the first magical meeting between Mexican civil society and the Zapatistas (The National Demographic Convention) which was held deep in the Lacondon Jungle in August 2004. Several years later in 1996 Schools for Chiapas itself was born during the first large meeting between the international community and the autonomous Mayan communities (The First Intergalactica... Click here for information on how to join the Schools for Chiapas Delegation to the Second Intergalactica scheduled for Dec 30-Jan 2).
Since that time Schools for Chiapas has grown and matured. We have been inspired and guided by the Mayan communities of Chiapas; nurtured by the creativity of a diverse collective of dedicated volunteers; and inspired by the growing awareness that a better world is possible.
The first Mexican school construction project of Schools for Chiapas is located in the highlands civilian center of Oventic. This important Zapatista secondary school was designed by Mayan volunteers and build by volunteers from dozens of small autonomous communities in the highlands of Chaipas. Groups of Mexican and international volunteers lent a small hand in this construction. During this early period one of our coordinators was captured by the Mexican army and deported from Mexico with great fanfare by the Mexican president Zedillo. He challenged his deportation and won an important legal point which affirmed the legality of Zapatista schools under the Mexican constitution.
Soon afterwards Schools for Chiapas began major school construction projects in the civilian Zapatista centers of Roberto Barrios and Francisco Gomez while continuing work in Oventic. The first Schools for Chiapas web page was launched.
In 2000 the Zapatistas created the “March of the People of the Color of the Earth” and the Schools for Chiapas project “The Little Yellow School Bus for Peace in Chiapas” was born. Soon after, school construction was begun in Guadalupe el Tepeyac, the Mother Seeds in Resistance campaign began to oppose transgenic corn in Chiapas, and the international education programs of Schools for Chiapas were formalized and greatly expanded.
Today, Schools for Chiapas works in education for literacy, education for health, education for ecological agriculture, and education for sustainable production. This web page is our effort to tell the story of our current work. We welcome your participation in our efforts to birth a new world and hope you will feel free to contact us with any questions, criticisms, concerns, or suggestions.
Behind the work of Schools for Chiapas is the long history of our fiscal sponsor and parent organization, Grass Roots Events. For over twenty years a variety of collectives, teams, and individuals had carried out a multitude of cultural and educational solidarity projects under the auspices of Grass Roots Events, Inc., a California based non-profit corporation. These diverse projects have included a progressive bookstore and performing space, the gallery show Mexico’s Political Renaissance, U.S. school visits by Super Barrio, school building efforts in Central America and Africa, plus large public performances by artists such as the San Francisco Mime Troupe, John Handcox. Los Alecranes Mojados, Pete Seeger, Peggy Watson, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Gabino Palomares, Roy Brown, Holly Near, Intiliamani, Floyd Westerman, and many, many smaller cultural events and gatherings. Grass Roots Events, Inc. occasionally serves as fiscal sponsor for progressive groups and projects such as Schools for Chiapas.
