Mexico
help us fight poverty in Mexico
Team Mexico
From hard-working staff to dedicated volunteers to smart and focused youth, it’s the people who make CI in Mexico so special. Let’s meet some of Team Mexico!
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Agency director -
Volunteer -
Leadership facilitator -
CI teen
Issues in Mexico
These are some of the most serious challenges that poor Mexicans are facing right now. But we’ve got a solid plan for tackling these issues. Want to learn more about our approach and programs?.
Issue: Epidemic of obesity
Mexico is one of the most obese countries in the world (surpassing the U.S. in 2012).
How we’re helping
Parents who never learned about nutrition don’t realize the unhealthy eating habits they’re teaching their kids. CI is educating them with knowledge and hands-on help. Organic gardens are flourishing at our community centers, producing healthy vegetables that our staff uses to teach parents and kids about the fundamentals of nutrition. Our obesity program also enlists a physical trainer to provide nutritional counseling and exercise.
Issue: Drug violence
Drug trafficking has turned cities into war zones and infiltrated every level of state and national politics.
How we’re helping
Five community centers in Guadalajara’s poorest areas provide safe havens for kids. These centers are chock-full of books, computers and toys to keep them learning (and entertained!). The centers also serve as hubs for all of our child and youth program activities, like Sports for Development, Social and Financial Education, Youth Council and more. These programs teach kids that they can have a better life — and how to achieve it.
Issue: Poor oral health
Cavities and gingivitis are the most common medical issues among our kids and teens.
How we’re helping
We keep kids smiling by teaching them all about proper oral care, turning potentially boring lessons about oral health into fun games. We also prevent cavities and gingivitis by encouraging our sponsored kids and teens to see our dentists every year for fluoride applications, teeth cleanings and dental sealants.
Issue: Teen pregnancy
Mexico has one of the highest birth rates in the world among girls ages 15–19: 64 per 1,000 births.
How we’re helping
CI teaches kids about age-appropriate health and reproductive information through our Youth Health Corps. Teens learn about the consequences of risky behaviors and how to plan for a more positive future.
Issue: Understaffed schools
Students outnumber teachers in many poor communities, leading to educational shortcomings, kids dropping out of school or being completely denied access to education.
How we’re helping
Impoverished kids get the short end of the stick in Mexico. But our efforts are changing that. When kids don’t get the attention they need in school, we help them catch up through tutoring at our community center libraries. Computer centers in each of the centers level the playing field even more.
Stories from Mexico
Change makers: Youth in Mexico are taking charge and creating a brighter future
Growing up in the destitute neighborhoods of Guadalajara, Mexico, is not easy.
As the program officer for youth development and education, I recently traveled to our Guadalajara agency to meet with the Youth Council leaders. During our meeting, the youth shared the daily struggles they face at home and in their communities, such as young people drinking and getting high on the streets, gang members looking for recruits, long distances to high school, lack of positive role models, and working while going to school and helping at home. And the list continues ...
They are faced with difficult situations and decisions on a daily basis, challenges you never would have guessed upon meeting the youth who participate in the programs in our Jalisco agency. Instead, the youth seem energetic, polite and well-spoken.
Want to visit your child?
Meet your special kid and see firsthand how we’re helping children across the globe break free from the cycle of poverty!
Plan a visit
Community centers
What is a community center? Only one of the most important places for our kids!
Jacqueline Byer Dial Center
Opened in July 2008, this center serves nearly 4,500 kids and youth in an urban area. Besides its super popular playground, the center features medical and dental clinics, a nutrition center, a library and a children’s play room, computer lab and administrative offices.
