RTG’s president, Jamie Nelson, former advisor at the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Senate, and the White House, has launched a new engagement program to give insights into RTG’s international development work. The initiative is being launched with RTG’s economic development work in Oaxaca, Mexico that has been showing positive results economically and academically. Mr. Nelson is available for interviews on this and other international development work RTG is currently performing around the world.
Link: https://redtelescope.global/a-rural-mexican-communitys-story-red-telescope-global-work-in-oaxa ca/
A copy of the link contents is included in the attached pdf and the entire piece is included here:
“A Rural Mexican Community’s Story: Red Telescope Global Work in Oaxaca”
Picture a small, family-run foundation from the US working with a group of invested local partners in rural Oaxaca, Mexico. The foundation is driven by a vision to bring about positive economic change to improve the quality of life for their Oaxacan partners. However, like many other foundations who are driven by passion, it struggled with strategic direction, transitions in leadership, and local challenges.
This was the situation that brought together the Vatheuer Family Foundation (VFF) and Jamie Nelson, founder of Red Telescope Global (RTG). What unfolded is a remarkable journey of transformation, not just for the organizations, but for many communities in the Sierra Mixteca and Mixe in the mountainous central valley regions of the state of Oaxaca.
VFF was founded in the early 90’s with the best of intentions but experienced challenges setting the perfect pitch to fully accomplish its mission. After the passing of its founder in 2013, the foundation realized it needed a new vision for its work and a team with the experience to make a long-term difference. Enter Jamie Nelson and RTG. Jamie was brought in to navigate a leadership transition and revitalize the Mexico-based programs. With extensive experience in government, civil society, nonprofits, and private sector collaboration, Jamie saw the potential in VFF for greater impact. Jamie also saw the challenges: focusing VFF’s strategic direction, addressing the challenges on the ground in Mexico, and rebuilding the infrastructure to support impactful programming.
Instead of imposing a top-down approach, RTG took a collaborative route. During the first engagement, the team spent time immersing themselves in the community, understanding its needs, and internalizing its aspirations. They listened to the voices of the people on the ground. The VFF-RTG partnership revitalized Proyectos Para un Futuro Mejor (PFM), the locally led Oaxacan nonprofit focused, at first, on agricultural development.
Agriculture is the lifeblood of the region, but the mountain terrain is difficult to work. Microclimates, steep hills, flooding valleys, hand-built roads, and scattered communications networks present challenges for consistent production and market access. PFM, with the support of the VFF-RTG partnership, was able to significantly improve many aspects of the local agrarian economy. The Oaxacan team took the lead using innovative techniques, such as farmer field schools, to improve farming practices and market access, and tackle logistical hurdles unique to the region. Now, apples, peaches, mushrooms, berries, honey, and poultry produced in indigenous communities make it to market fresh and ready for sale.
The impact wasn’t just on the ground. RTG helped PFM and VFF streamline operations. This led to a realignment of the for-profit sister organization of PFM that buys and transforms many of the agricultural products produced by PFM’s participants. The humble business process that began years earlier was transformed, reducing waste, diversifying products, and improving market access for local farmers. Product sales doubled from 2022 to 2023 and are on track to double again in 2024. This realignment wasn’t just about efficiency; it was about ensuring every peso went further, benefiting the community directly.
This incredible growth journey was not always smooth sailing. It demanded constant adaptation, reevaluation, and a delicate balance between focus and flexibility. But RTG, PFM, and VFF persevered, guided by a commitment to legal and financial compliance, laying the groundwork for a sustainable future.
PFM isn’t just about better crops; it’s about empowering the community and ensuring the activities are culturally sensitive and sustainable. Rural students are attending university for the first time in the history of their families, sometimes in their communities, thanks to PFM scholarships (there are currently 47 scholarship recipients studying in multiple Oaxacan universities). Families are more economically stable, and communities are feeling more hopeful about their futures. The metrics are still evolving, but the focus remains laser-sharp: create lasting, measurable change. And VFF’s vision for economic security doesn’t stop in Oaxaca. The goal is to replicate this model in other regions, empowering rural communities worldwide.
The story of RTG and VFF is more than an organizational transformation; it’s a testament to the power of collaboration, local leadership, and strategic foresight. It’s a model for future initiatives. Listening to the voice of the people is the right place to start. Communities who have access to the right tools, knowledge, and support can lead the way in their own sustainable development.
People can discuss this further with RTG President Jamie Nelson. They are happy to make them available to talk with anyone about any of the details of how RTG has helped, and is continuing to help, empower people around the world.
Media Contact
Company Name: Red Telescope Global, an international development consultancy
Contact Person: Fritz Chaleff with Ocean Star Communications
Email: Send Email
Phone: 202-400-0178
Country: United States
Website: https://redtelescope.global/