When visiting his hometown, Donaciano Garcia (President of GB 2006) took notice of the needs of the people. He and his wife provided a small party for the children of the school and experienced the joy it brought to the children to give to them pinatas and candy. This experience helped them to create ideas of how to help the children of this town have a future. They wanted to find ways to give these children a hope for the future.
Returning to Portland, a meeting was arranged of about 25 people all originally from Barranca but now residing in Portland. They discussed the possibilities of organizing and creating projects to help their people. Although they have made lives in the United States and have worked hard making a better life for themselves and their families they cannot forget their home in Mexico.
Since the first meeting in July of 2006 and as of February 2008 this group of citizens have raised over $12,000 dollars which has funded a copier for the municipal building and five new computers for the school and 120 trees planted in the village. As of February 2008 there are eleven active members who attend monthly meetings. There is also a group of members in Oaxaca who are collaboratin with the group iin Portland. This relationship between the members in Portland and the members in Oaxaca is vital for the communication and completion projects. The hopes and dreams for this organization are rooted in the people who are from this town. They are making a difference for the people of Oaxaca and hope to inspire others to do the same. Now in the year 2009 this organization has grown from 16 active members to 27 members in four different states. There are also 3 members in Oaxaca who act as coordinators when projects are taking place. Most of the members are from the town of Barranca and have family who still live there.
Members in Portland, Oregon
| 1. Donaciano Garcia, President | 9. Raymundo Martinez |
| 2. Shannon Garcia, Secretary | 10. Francisco Martinez |
| 3. Benito Garcia, Vice President | |
| 4. Justino Hernandez, Treasurer | |
| 5. Lucino Cruz | |
| 6. David Garcia | |
| 7.Emiliano Garcia | |
| 8.Gonzalo Garcia | |
Connecticut, South Carolina
| 11. Alejandro Reyes 13. Humberto Reyes | |
| 12. Romulo Cruz | |
California
| 14. Adrian Reyes 20. Erasmo Marcos | |
| 15. Fernando Reyes 21. Raul Reyes | |
| 16. Paulino Jeronimo Garcia 22. Fidel Alfredo Reyes | |
| 17. Amador Reyes 23. Jose Santiago | |
| 18 Gregorio Reyes 24Constantino Reyes Cruz | |
| 19. Eleuterio Isaias Reyes |
Members in Oaxaca
| 1. Eloy Cruz Marcos President | 3. Bartolome Reyes Vice President |
| 2. Mardonio Juarez Advisor |
Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca is a southern state which is located in the mountains and valleys Sierra Madre del Sur range. It is home to the Zapotec and Mixtec peoples.There are multiple dialects spoken in the state of Oaxaca. The people of the town of Barranca Fierro Mixtepec speak both the dialect of Zapotec and Spanish.
The Town Barranca Fierro Mixtepec
The town of Barranca Fierro Mixtepec is located in a very rural area about one hour south of Oaxaca City. The town consists of a municipal building, a few small convenient stores, and an elementary school. The citizens mostly work on their farms. The main crop is corn and beans. Many families lack the basic necessities such as a stove, a toilet, and hot water. Many families face the situation when one or more parents leave to find work. Many children are left to their grandparents to raise.
The primary school in Barranca Fierro has 85 students total enrolled from Preschool to grade six. There are four teachers at this school. About 15 students from this town travel to another town to attend secondary school.
The teachers face the challenge of motivating their students to succeed in school. In the entire history of the school in Barranca Fierro, only three of the students have gone to a University and approximately 80% drop out after primary school. Many students do not continue on to secondary school, simply because it is too far on foot and there is much help needed on the family farm. Many children also go to another state or the United States with their families to find work. This is an unfortunate reality for many of these families.