100 families in the communities of La Soledad and El Carmen in the municipality of Santa Inés del Monte, Zaachila benefit from housing and basic water facilities in conjunction with Fundación Azteca, Fundación Iberoamericana para el Desarrollo and Centro de Desarrollo Comunitario Centéotl
Mexico City, November 16, 2007 — Mexican Entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego, founding chairman of Mexican conglomerate Grupo Salinas, presented this week housing and basic water infrastructure to the indigenous communities of La Soledad and El Carmen in the municipality of Santa Inés del Monte of the microregion Zaachila.
San Inés del Monte is one of 49 municipalities identified by government authorities to have “vey high” levels of marginalization. Local leaders complain that the only interest from outside the region often comes during election campaigns and the community is quickly forgotten soon afterwards.
The project includes 30 homes with adobe block walls and poured concrete floors, as well as four rain-water dams and two aquaculture tanks for fish cultivation. The project investment was approximately $300,000.
“Keeping with the goals of Fundación Azteca, this is not philanthropy in the traditional sense, but rather providing the community with tools for more productive activities to elevate their living standards,” said Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego.
Fundación Azteca has been active with the La Soledad and El Carmen community for the past two years, helping with the development of innovative activities such as toy fabrication with local renewable inputs to combat deforestation.
About Grupo Salinas
Fundación Azteca, Fundación Azteca America , TV Azteca and Azteca America are companies of Grupo Salinas, a group of dynamic, fast-growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value, building the Mexican middle class, and improving society through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas, Grupo Salinas also includes Grupo Elektra, Banco Azteca, Afore Azteca, Seguros Azteca, Grupo Iusacell and Azteca Internet.
About Fundación Azteca
Fundación Azteca is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving health, nutrition, education and the environment in Mexico .
The philosophy of Fundación Azteca is to provide society with tools for improvement rather than charity. Since 1997, Fundación Azteca has touched and improved the lives of millions of Mexicans through its programs. Fundación Azteca is one of the most widely-recognized non-profit groups in Latin America .
Visit: www.gruposalinas.com , www.fundacionazteca.org and www.fundacionaztecaamerica.org
Daniel McCosh
Grupo Salinas
(5255) 1720-0059
dmccosh@gruposalinas.com.mx
