FOUNDER / DIRECTOR

Sara was born to parents that were forced to leave their homelands and migrate to the US/Mex border. They met in Kumeyaay Territory-Tijuana, MX and Sara was born there. Her family then migrated to the US. Sara has lived in Tucson, AZ,  San Diego, CA, Seattle, WA and NYC. For many years, she has been of service to those who left their homelands south of the colonial border seeking safety and survival, only to find themselves in danger, subjected to racism, cruelty, and abuse at the US/Mexico border. Her personal experiences in life, such as; living in fear of ‘la migra’ (border patrol); living on the streets during her teenage years; her college education in American Ethnic Studies (Chicano Studies and Native studies); her years of social activism; raising her children, and the connection & inspiration she has felt in Indigenous movements across our many territories has led her to understand the importance of focusing on environmental justice and sustainable livelihoods in her ancestral pueblo. Sara’s family has lived in Xochimilco for countless generations. She is the great-niece of our elder chinampera, Doña Susana Sandoval. One of her greatest desires is to be a contributing force in the lives of relatives from her pueblo, who if they had a choice, staying home could be a reality. In founding Chinampa Temachtiani, she hopes to achieve this and many more positive outcomes in Xochimilco.

A respected Xochimila Elder, Doña Susana has been a chinampera (traditional farmer) since childhood. She tells us she remembers Xochimilco when the people dressed traditionally, the houses were made of straw roofs and mud walls, the Axolotls were abundant in the canals, and the water was so clean that the people would drink it straight from the lake. She has many stories about her life in Xochimilco and what was passed down to her from her father (a master chinampero and leader of the community). She inspires all who are blessed to hear her speak. Her connection and love for plants is undeniable. She tells us that we must not only learn from books but by putting our hands in the soil. She is fierce and dedicated to saving her land, water, and traditions. At the age of 86 she dreams of sharing her chinampera  knowledge with the young people of Xochimilco and from around the world so that traditions are not lost and the love for Mother Earth continues.

SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR

Araleyah is a queer, non-binary, chicana with a background in farming, birthwork, restoration and defending land and water. Their family are traditional milpa farmers, palma weavers and marble workers from a rural community in the high desert of southern Puebla, just a few hours south of Xochimilco! They are led by their ancestors in the work they do and are passionate about land restoration, axolotl conservation and Indigenous rights. Tochtli, who also goes by Ara in Mexico, has spent a couple years working on the chinampa from harvests to farm tours. You may meet them in the US on an axolotl awareness campaign or on the chinampa doing vital restoration work or leading culturally rooted events. 

COMMUNITY GUIDE

Lilia has lived in Barrio Belem, Xochimilco her entire life and comes from a long line of chinamperos (Xochimilca traditional farmers). She has a gift of uniting people for purpose. Her strong sense of community makes people trust and listen to her wise words and leadership. She is a brilliant mathematician who tutors students of all ages in Xochimilco. She is also an artisan, yoga instructor and a chinampera. Currently she is creating herbal healing powders and experimenting with fragrances using the flowers she grows. She is blessed to be the daughter of Doña Susana Sandoval, who shares a lifetime of wisdom for her to carry on. Lilia is a temachtiani (teacher) in training. Doña Susana forges the path while Lilia leads us to it. They are inseparable and a fierce team together.