By Katerina Mandrygina
On my latest trip, I didn’t go looking for hidden beaches or the best seafood restaurants on the Oaxacan coast. This time I was part of something different, something that changed me: a trip with a cause with Fondo para la Paz, a non-profit organisation that supports the most vulnerable Indigenous communities in Mexico. We visited rural communities in San Juan Lachao and Santa María Temaxcaltepec, where I saw first-hand the power of collaboration and community resilience.
Kitchens that nourish more than the body
In San José el Corosal, we climbed mountain roads to reach the community dining hall. There, among the aromas of chilli chicken and tortillas on the comal, I understood the importance of a hot meal. This kitchen doesn’t just feed more than 50 children: it fights malnutrition and keeps them in school. Mothers cook in shifts, with love and dedication, in facilities built with the support of Fondo para la Paz.
Hearing the women speak so proudly of their kitchen, of how they make the most of every resource and look after every last grain of rice, made me value even more the invisible work that sustains these communities.
Coffee with history and flavour
In Cañada del Río Oriente I met Don Apolonio, a coffee grower. He showed me how he patiently harvests each ripe cherry so as not to damage the plant. His farm, planted with varieties such as Bourbon and Marsellesa, represents decades of struggle against pests and unfair markets. Despite the challenges, he produces excellent honey-processed and washed coffee, using artisanal methods, with a story in every cup. He also showed me his poultry project: he started with 80 chicks, now has laying hens and chairs a cage-free egg cooperative.
A dignified dining hall, a different future
In San Juan Lachao Pueblo Viejo, we attended the opening of a new community dining hall. It isn’t just a kitchen: it’s a symbol of hope. It has eco-stoves, rainwater harvesting and a wastewater treatment system. The whole community organised itself to build it, and the emotion on their faces that day was the best reminder that development is built with dignity.
Celebrating 30 years of impact
The trip coincided with Community Day, an annual event where donors and communities celebrate what they have achieved together. It was special: Fondo para la Paz was turning 30. We spent a day full of music, traditional Chatino dancing and symbolic gifts, and even made honey gummies with local beekeepers. I felt part of something bigger, part of a network of people who believe in a fairer Mexico.
Katerina Mandrygina wrote this piece as part of their training at the School of Travel Journalism. If it inspired you, take a look at our Master in Travel Journalism and our Master in Gastronomic Journalism and Communication, watch our students’ travel documentaries on YouTube and listen to their stories on our podcast on Spotify.
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