A Chilean woman built a self sufficient home in the Mexican countryside

Elida moved her family from Chile to London and later to Mexico to escape the political regime following a coup d'état in her home country. She eventually settled in the rural community of Amatlán, where she and her four children constructed a house on a mountain surrounded plot.

The family lived in a remote location without running water or electricity for three years.

To manage daily life, Elida organized her routine around manual labor, such as baking bread every morning and making yogurt. The children participated in the construction of the home by learning to mix materials, glue bricks, and move stones across the rocky terrain. Without modern appliances like refrigerators or washing machines, the family spent their time walking through hills, bathing in natural pools and waterfalls, and cooking together.

Elida chose this lifestyle because it aligned with a childhood dream of living in nature. She also embraced local culture, including Mexican crafts, art, and astrology. Despite these rural challenges, Elida faced significant hardships, including a major health crisis when one of her children required open-heart surgery for a congenital heart condition. She now advocates for others to pursue their dreams of changing their lives, even when faced with fear.