The Chiapas Project

Members of the Des Moines Catholic Worker discovered a humanitarian need in Chiapas, Mexico, in the area of San Cristobal de las Casas in June 1999. Specifically, over 30,000 Mayan Indians have been expelled from their homes by the local government, and have suffered human rights violations at the hands of their own fellow citizens. Given their social mission with the poor, the Des Moines Catholic Worker members have committed to these people in ways that will provide educational, economic and housing development opportunities.