In April, 14 Wheeler Machinery Co. employees journeyed to the small mountain village of Tixmadeje in Mexico’s Acambay region. Located at 9,200 ft., the village is in a remote location with little access to modern amenities.

While in Tixmadeje, Wheeler employees and villagers worked side-by-side building cisterns for four of the village families. Cisterns are cylinder-shaped waterproof receptacles for harvesting rain water and protecting it from contamination. Employees and villagers laid the foundations, bent and tied the wire and mixed cement to construct the cisterns.

Currently, there is no running water to Tixmadeje. The local villagers along with government assistance are working on a pipeline to pump in water from a reservoir 5 mi. away. While in Mexico, Wheeler employees were able to help lay 1 mi. of the 5 mi. of pipe needed to bring water to the village.

“I feel the water project will make such a huge impact on their lives. It will save them so much time giving them time to work on projects to earn money to feed their families. I left part of my heart in that little village,” said Susan Anderson of Wheeler Machinery Co.’s parts department.

Lack of water is undoubtedly the most significant barrier to economic success in the Acambay region. The cisterns will not only provide water for household use but will allow for increased animal husbandry and livestock cooperatives.

Kathy James, Wheeler’s sales office manager said, “The villagers want a better life for their families and with CHOICE this is possible which gives the villagers hope that their dreams and needs can come true.”

$108,538 has been raised in 9 months via Wheeler employee payroll contributions and a generous 2-to-1 company match. When the corporate partnership launched, the goal was to raise $50,000. If the goal was met, Wheeler committed to sending a group of employees on a fully-funded humanitarian expedition including covering each participant’s vacation pay. Wheeler will continue to send a group of employees on a CHOICE humanitarian expedition each year if the goal of raising $50,000 is reached annually.

“Without the support from our corporate partners, the work of CHOICE Humanitarian wouldn’t be possible,” said Leah Barker, CEO of CHOICE. “We are really excited about the impact Wheeler and CHOICE is making together. Thousands of lives are changing for the better.”

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