The Raramuri People

The World's Most Dangerous Ways to School

• Children in Northwestern Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental face a dangerous hour-long trek to get to school in Cerocahui.

• The Raramuri people live scattered in the mountains and rely on farming to survive.

• The children's hunger for education is stronger than their fear of the dangerous terrain they must navigate to get to school.

• The Raramuri people speak their own language, making it difficult for them to find work in cities.

• An estimated 40% of indigenous people in Mexico are illiterate, and the rate is higher among the Raramuri.

• Education is compulsory in Mexico, but many children in the mountains work with their parents instead of going to school.

• The elementary school in Cerocahui is the only one within a six-hour radius for the children in the area.

• Teachers often sleep at the school during the week due to the long distances they must travel to get there.

• The climate in the Sierras is similar to that of the desert, with freezing temperatures at night and hot temperatures during the day.

• Boarding schools provide free education and meals for students, which is why many parents send their children there.

• Sandals made from old tire rubber and leather straps are the only protection against the cold ground in winter, and new shoes are expensive for families.

• The Raramuri people believe in gender equality, and it is not unusual for girls to attend school.Life of the Raramuri: A Day in the Sierras

• The Raramuri are the largest and poorest indigenous group in Mexico, with 000 inhabitants living below the poverty line of $1.25 a day.

• To make money, Raramuri women weave baskets, which they sell or exchange for food.

• The Raramuri are famous for their long-distance running abilities and are known as "those who run well".

• Due to the Spanish Conquistadors' arrival 500 years ago, the Raramuri settled in the rugged terrain of the Sierras, where they still live today.

• Gathering materials for basket weaving can be dangerous, as the necessary leaves grow on rocky overhangs.

• The Raramuri face various dangers, including falling from cliffs, wild animals, and sudden weather changes.

• Education is a priority for the Raramuri, and the only school in the area is in Cerocahui, a six-hour walk away.

• The school provides free meals to combat hunger and malnutrition, a significant problem in the mountains.

• The Raramuri celebrate traditional ceremonies that blend indigenous and Catholic practices, such as the Corn Beer Festival, which is held to pray for rain.

• The boarding school provides temporary sleeping quarters for around 40 children, with no heating, and thin blankets.

• The Raramuri face challenges in education, with varying learning levels, and some children have no one at home pushing them to learn.

• Despite the difficulties, the Raramuri remain resilient and committed to their traditions, community, and education.Life in a Boarding School in the Sierras

• Children in a boarding school in the Sierras share mattresses.

• Lorenzo sleeps with two friends in a bed.

• The children dream of a future without worries or poverty.

• The long and dangerous walk to school in the Sierras is exhausting.

• The children attend lessons at the boarding school.

• The boarding school is meant to provide education and a better future for the children.

• The children are from families living in poverty.

• The boarding school is a safe haven for the children.

• The children are hopeful for a better future.

• Emotive orchestral music is used to enhance the storytelling.

• The video highlights the challenges faced by children in impoverished areas.

• The video showcases the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty.