Providing a path out of poverty

Mexico has the 12th largest economy in the world; however, income inequality presents a major threat to families in this country. In fact, only six percent of people living in our program areas have sufficient income to support their families. 

For more than 30 years, we have helped families living in poverty in more than 1,000 communities. Our sustainable livelihood development program, implemented in Puebla, Hidalgo and Oaxaca, provides families with ways to generate income by training them on block construction, baking, regional candy and jam making, craftsmanship and paper recycling. Micro-credit programs, implemented in conjunction with other micro-finance organizations, are available to support small family businesses.

Poverty has resulted in inadequate healthcare, sanitation and access to safe water in many Mexican communities. We have provided 85 percent of affiliated families with latrines and now 60 percent also have access to safe water. Medical and dental clinics in these communities have offered nutritional assessments, immunization administration, disease prevention education, cancer screening, vitamin distribution to pregnant women as well as teeth cleaning, cavity treatment and emergency dental assistance.

In 1997, the malnutrition rate in our Mexican program areas was 45 percent. Today, it has decreased to 20 percent. Our Integral Nutritional Program, targeting pregnant women and children under the age of five, works to reduce malnutrition and obesity in children by providing them with regular check-ups. Mothers are provided health charts to monitor growth. The nutrition orientation program, sponsored by Nestle Corporation, educates children and adolescents about healthier eating and living, including participation in sports and recreational activities.

Finding new ways to educate children

Sometimes conventional education methods are not enough. We find unique ways to stimulate learning in the children of Mexico. To improve critical thinking and communication skills, we give computer programs to children ages 6 to 14.

In collaboration with Intel Corporation and National Pedagogical University, this program has helped more than 2,000 children. "Ludotecas" (meaning playrooms), which are in about 84 percent of our community centers in Mexico, use toys and games to encourage creative thinking and help children ages six to 12 with their reading, oral expression and body language skills. This program has helped 4,000 Mexican children. The "Activate" program helps children with their literature and mathematics skills and also offers two-hour sessions on physical education, self-esteem and other group activities.  Making the Grade in Mexico »

For a decade, our Early Childhood Development (ECD) program has been a major impetus for learning in children from birth through age five. In 2007 alone, more than 7,000 children were enrolled in 109 ECD centers. In these centers, educators, working together with parents, develop strategies to stimulate development in young children, including ways to help overcome learning delays. Trained volunteer Guide Mothers reach out to the community to help improve children’s cognitive learning. Along the way, our ECD Scale regularly monitors all stages of children’s development. 

We also empower youth through participation in Youth Committees. These committees give adolescents a forum to discuss issues such as drug prevention, reproductive health, ecology and sanitation and participate in vocational training activities and computer workshops. About 50 young people are being trained and will receive certification as human rights promoters.

We are giving the Mexican people new strategies for supporting their families as well as educating, feeding and caring for their children. Help us give this country a helping hand and in the process, give the Mexican people a renewed sense of hope.