Rotary Club & The Campo Economic Development Project: Building Confidence, Community, And Clean Water In The Campo

By Aundria McMillan Humphrey

When you speak with Carla Cadena, Project Manager for the Campo Economic Development Project of the Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende–Midday, the conversation quickly moves beyond infrastructure. Yes, the project builds rainwater harvesting cisterns and dry composting toilets. Yes, it addresses water contamination and rural sanitation. But what Carla sees every day is something deeper: the transformation of families and communities from the inside out.

“Our priority is ensuring that families have clean, safe water for daily drinking and cooking,” she says. “This directly protects children’s health and development, helping prevent the IQ decrease linked to contaminants like fluoride and arsenic found in untreated well water.” For Carla, the work is about strengthening community organization, building leadership, and helping rural residents see themselves as part of a shared effort toward dignity and resilience. Carla shares responsibility for the project with Lee Carter, a threetime Rotary President whose long-term vision helped shape the initiative. They guide a model that places community participation at the center. To receive a cistern or a dry composting toilet, first families organize.  Participation begins when a community formally submits a request through COCIRA, the Rural Citizen Water Council. This step alone is transformative: neighbors gather, discuss their needs, and take collective responsibility for the process.

While waiting for their turn to receive materials and training, families participate in workshops on food production, preservation, and sustainability practices. These skills strengthen both household wellbeing and community cohesion. Carla has seen a meaningful shift in the campo over the past year. “There is growing interest in understanding water quality, environmental conditions, and the role each family can play in protecting natural resources,” she says. She also highlights the powerful role of women, whose leadership is often the quiet engine behind community progress.

This cultural shift — from passive recipients to active stewards — is one of the most hopeful signs Carla has witnessed. Families’ confidence, leadership, and knowledge have grown. People are more organized, feel a stronger sense of belonging, and see themselves as part of a shared effort.

The Impact: Confidence, Belonging, And A Vision For The Future

There is a rising desire to learn, improve daily living conditions, and work toward the vision of a Sustainable Rural Home — one that supports dignity, health, and longterm stability.

Updates: Cisterns, Dry Toilets, And Water Protection

Last year’s Atencíón articles focused on the systems themselves — the rainwater harvesting cisterns, dry composting toilets, and watershed concerns. This year, these updates show continued progress in these areas.

• The most recent Global Grant closed successfully with 357 cisterns built across rural communities.

• Water contamination remains a serious concern as agroindustrial operations drill deeper wells, putting local sources at risk.

• Families continue to express strong enthusiasm for dry composting toilets, which provide dignity and safety, especially for women. Ten new units are currently being built in La Niveña.

The Watershed Program, led by Evelyn Grewal in partnership with the Rotary Club, Aprendizaje y Acciones desde la Naturaleza A.C., and Salvemos al Río Laja A.C., continues to expand its reach.

This year, the initiative brought socioenvironmental education to 30 rural schools, engaging more than 2,400 children and youth through naturebased art and hands-on conservation projects. The program also supports 17 school community nurseries, which provide plants for sustainable green areas and help rural communities adapt to climate change and the ongoing water crisis.

Why Matching Funds Matter Now

Carla notes that this is a crucial moment. “We are raising matching funds for our next Global Grant, which will continue to include rainwater harvesting cisterns and dry composting toilets,” she says. Contributions made through Rotary Clubs outside San Miguel can qualify as matching funds, multiplying their impact. Those who prefer to donate directly can contact the club to learn how to contribute effectively.

How to Support the Work

Volunteers can join ongoing projects, participate in community visits, or contribute financially. After this year’s rainy season, additional help will be needed for cistern maintenance campaigns, essential for longterm success.

In the end, the story of this work is not only about infrastructure. The systems are important — but the learning and organizing are what change the longterm trajectory of a community.  It is about belonging, dignity, and the quiet power of communities who choose to build their future together.

Aundria McMillan Humphrey Ageless Living Advocate slowdowngranny.com