New World Villages is currently
working with the Navajo Nation of
New Mexico and Arizona. The
Navajo people suffer from an unem-
ployment rate of about 50%, and at
least as many people live below the
poverty line. A high percentage of the
people also live without electricity
and water for everyday use. The high
desert of New Mexico and Arizona
can be very cold well into spring, and
many on the reservation, including
the elderly and children, live in sub-
standard housing, such as this hogan.
Since 2004, New World Villages has supplied textbooks and clothing to the Navajo Nation, including warm clothing appropriate for the cold winter and spring of the high desert. We have also conducted a blanket and coat drive to benefit the nation.
A number of K-8th grade books and teacher's resources have been donated
through New World Villages to St. Bona-
venture Indian Mission and School in
Thoreau, New Mexico. The St. Bonaventure
Mission provides an education to Navajo
children, and, along with other services,
delivers water to the isolated dwellings on the
reservation. We have helped to finance this water delivery service.
An official of the Navajo Nation recently addressed the following to St. Bonaventure Mission:
"I would like this time to thank you for assisting the
people in my community. When I discovered St.
Bonaventure and asked others about what you do
for the Navajo people I was very much impressed.
The application is simple for people to complete.
I see the Mission assist Native people more than
other organizations in the area. I don't know how to
ever thank St. Bonaventure for taking the time to
assist my people that are referred to your office.
Again I would like to thank you."
