Lighting the Path for Local Communities
Deep in northern Argentina, San José del Boquerón and its neighboring villages are home to the Teleras Sacha Mama, a collective of 48 women weavers who preserve an ancestral textile tradition while sustaining their families. Located in the province of Santiago del Estero, these women live across thirteen rural settlements—small communities connected only by dirt roads that often become impassable during the rainy season.
Their craftsmanship sustains entire families, yet most of them live without access to electricity or clean water. Out of 36 surrounding communities, only a few have power, and even fewer have safe drinking water. In this context, daily life and productive work can be a constant struggle.
At David Denies, our lodges thrive thanks to the people around them. Beyond providing jobs—as local chefs, guides, and field staff—we care deeply about the quality of life of our neighbors outside working hours. The Sacha Mama Project advances that commitment with two key interventions: bringing solar energy and water storage systems to the homes of these weavers and their families.
In total, 18 homes belonging to 21 weavers across nine of these villages—places like Guayacán, Santa Rosa, Bajo Grande, and El Puesto—will benefit directly from the installation of solar panels, while 13 families will receive new cisterns for safe water storage.
Sustainable Energy for the Weavers
Installing solar panels in 18 homes will bring reliable power to 21 women and their families—allowing safe lighting, extended weaving hours during cooler evenings, and better living conditions.
Solar power is a sustainable, low-maintenance solution that ensures independence and resilience in remote rural areas. The total budget for this stage is USD 63,000, covering full installation and materials.
Water Storage for Life
In a dry region where clean water is scarce, installing cisterns and storage tanks in 13 homes will make a world of difference. These tanks ensure a consistent, safe water supply for drinking, cooking, and hygiene—basic needs that are not always guaranteed in these communities.
The total budget for this stage is USD 20,100, including tanks, fittings, and delivery.
How You Can Help
As these projects move forward, we’ll be sharing photos, brief updates, and real stories from the field—so every donor can see the direct impact of their contribution. All communications will be coordinated by Gisela Cristini, our Social Work Director, who oversees each stage from funding to installation.
Your contribution can help us deliver light and clean water to families who need it most. Together, we can ensure that the Sacha Mama weavers continue to thrive—protecting both their art and their way of life for generations to come.
If you’d like to be part of this initiative, please contact gisela@daviddenies.com to learn how to contribute.
About our track record: the David Denies Giving Back program has carried out numerous successful aid initiatives over the years—improving schools, healthcare access, and rural infrastructure—and we’ve documented these stories in our book “Giving Back.” Your support builds on proven, hands-on work that continues to change lives.
