Grassroots Projects stands for solidarity without borders. In July 2005 several social globalists started the organization, because in their opinion the existing development aid won't stop the injustice in the world. It's more important to show direct solidarity with the oppressed poor in the world, instead of praising the free trade system. Grassroots Projects is focusing on Latin America. We offer help to rebellious farmers in El Peten, Guatemala en Chiapas, Mexico. We also have plans to support projects in Bolivia. We help people that put ecology and sustainability above economy. His website will report on the activities of the volunteers from Grassroots Projects. For more details about our organization, you can use the buttons on the left side.

Grassroots Projects
Postbus 85069
3508 AB Utrecht
The Netherlands
projects (at) grassrootsprojects.com

Solidarity trip to Mexico.

The Zapatistas in Chiapas.

On the photo (left) are the volunteers from Belgium and Holland working with several Zapatistas.

In October 2006 a group of nine Dutch and Belgian volunteers went on a solidarity trip to the Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico. We saw how the water project Grassroots Projects financed was finished. The 5200-euro we raised in the Netherlands was used for the materials for the water system. For example cement, pipes etc. Together with Catas, the people worked hard on a system that catches rainwater and transport it towards a containment system. From there it will go to the houses in the Zapatista communities. The beauty of this project is that several members of the Zapatista community were trained by Catas to build their own water systems in the future. This project is the Zapatistas answer to privatization of the water in Mexico. We also visited many other ' Caracoles ' in Chiapas.

The Appo in Oaxaca. In Oaxaca thousands of teachers protested in may 2006 against the governor Ulises Ruiz. They demanded salary raise, better teaching materials and right of education for every child. The only answer from Ulises was breaking up the demonstration by force. In reaction to this, the teachers occupied the city center and started together with many other organizations (unions, indigenous organizations) Etc.) APPO (Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca) this grew to a popular social movement that demanded the removal of Ulisez as governor. This conflict went as far as to the congress in Mexico City and even with the massive resistance the governor has yet to be removed. Because of the corrupt political system, the APPO wants to work on a autonomous state were autonomous groups can form their own future.

Since May there have been 20 murders on members of the APPO by paramilitaries. Hundreds of people have been arrested and there are reports from prison that there are many people being tortured. There are also many people missing, who were picked up from the street by paramilitaries. We raised 1000 euro for prisoner support.

When we were in Oaxaca we were active as independent reporters for Indymedia.

Video made by two volunteers at the demonstration of 25th November in Oaxaca.:

On the photo: The volunteers of Grassroots Projects on ' study trip ' in Chiapas, Mexico.