Mujeres de la Tierra (MDLT), a nonprofit environmental organization based at the L.A. River Center in Los Angeles, has set its sights on bringing more awareness on water and the Southern California’s drought.
Two years ago they launched a program called “Agua es Vida/Water is Life,” which first began as a survey to find out how much people knew about the topic.
“Based on our findings we realized that we need to continue providing more one on one and group interactions with members of the public by going to locations where they are (parks, schools),” said Executive Director Irma Muñoz. “We went to supermarkets, parks and surveyed people in both English and Spanish.”
They also went to the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific where people were surrounded by water to ask them how much they know about the drought and where they routinely seek information.
Based on the results they reconfirmed their mission, to create creative platforms to reach people that aren’t being reached including young people.
To reach more people, including youth, in the organization will present “Tele-Novelas in the Park” in January.
“Tele-Novelas in the Park” is a project developed to educate and inform families about the seriousness of the drought and the importance of water conservation, as well as other ways to Heal and Care for La Madre Tierra (Mother Earth),” said Muñoz.
The actors, writers, research, set design will be produced by students and faculty from the School of History and Dramatic Arts in Northeast Los Angeles.
It is expected to be a fun and entertaining platform, which “emulates the outrageous and funny aspects of a traditional Latino soap opera that takes place in the living room of the Cabazon family.”
The first episode is “A Day without Agua (Water),” and the production will empasize that water conservation is a way of life, not a temporary solution.
“This project besides providing an entertaining social theater platform with a direct message about water conservation also provides information on how to keep our sewage system clean and prevent harmful waste to go down our drains and winding up into the ocean. The organization will also distribute educational material to those that attend,”Muñoz said.
“Our organization seeks to build grassroots community leadership and capacity among traditionally marginalized communities, low-income, immigrant/people of color and culture, to bring about an inclusive process in local decision-making, civic participation, neighborhood revitalization and community-building efforts.”
For more information go to: http://www.mujeresdelatierra.org/agua_es_vida_life_is_water)