Mexico, with more than 50 million people living under the poverty line, has problems with inconsistency in its educational offerings.
Mexico faces a range of complex social problems. From escalating violence in certain regions to drug smuggling near the U.S. border, there are many obstacles for the Mexican government to overcome. One of the most urgent problems in Mexico is the inconsistency of the country’s education system. Without access to a solid education, millions of children will struggle to emerge from poverty and lead productive, fulfilling lives.
Despite having a relatively prosperous economy, Mexico suffers from economic inequality. In some regions, children and their families earn a comfortable living, but in southern Mexico, many children live in poverty. In fact, approximately 40 percent of the country’s population live below the poverty line, around 50 million people. As well as struggling to provide food for their children, some families simply cannot afford to send their children to school. This, in turn, contributes to the cycle of poverty that forces many children to work instead of going to school.
Additionally, if children fail to receive the education they need in their early years, they may be less likely to pursue qualifications in higher education and may even struggle to enter the workforce. According to data from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), almost 19 percent of Mexican youths between the ages of 15 and 19 were not enrolled in an educational program or working in 2010.
Overall academic standards also need to improve. Data from the OECD suggests that, in terms of educational attainment, Mexico ranks poorly compared to other nations of similar economic activity. Although progress has been made in recent years, including the announcement of widespread education reforms earlier this year, there is still much to be done.
ChildFund has worked in Mexico since 1955, and one of our most important projects in the country has been the introduction of community and early childhood development centers. Approximately 84 percent of our community centers have “ludotecas,” or playrooms, where young children can develop their creative thinking skills through play. In addition, our “Activate” program has helped many children with their math and literacy skills, providing them with the foundation they need to progress to more advanced levels later.
Despite the challenges it faces, Mexico is making progress toward improving its education system, but there will always be children who miss out on vital opportunities. To make a difference in the life of a child, please consider sponsoring a child in Mexico.
I am a psychologist currently working as the Integral Program Coordinator at the Tonala program, a ChildFund partner organization in Mexico.
I am also a former sponsored child, and I grew up benefitting from the organization I now work for.
I became involved with ChildFund when I was 8 years old. When I was in sixth grade, I started writing letters to my sponsor. I`ll never forget the opportunities I had to write to him €” I loved to share my achievements with him. I would share about school because I liked school a lot, about poetry and about contests I participated in.
One of the most wonderful experiences I remember telling him about is a visit to Oaxaca for a state sports event ChildFund was a part of. They took us on a walk through downtown, and it was all new to me. I was 10 years old. I also shared a lot with my sponsor about specific traditions and celebrations in my community and about the weather.
He always managed to get a letter out to me at least once a year.
Unfortunately, my sponsor had to cancel after being with me a few years, when I was in ninth grade. I was very sad when I heard this because, even though we had written to each other only every once in a while, I discovered, thanks to him, that there was a world out there. I learned about the sea, the most amazing fish species, huge homes. One time he sent me a package with his favorite photos.
Still, my relationship with ChildFund continued. I loved receiving school supplies at the beginning of every school year, and I enjoyed participating in all kinds of ChildFund activities.
I continued to study hard, and when I finished high school I left the community to go to college and study psychology at an Oaxaca state private school. I was able to do this thanks to a full scholarship I received because I had been an A student, with a record of good behavior and perfect attendance.
However, going to school was hard even with the scholarship. To earn some money, I worked in the college`s administrative offices. My father, a taxi driver, gave whatever he could, and my mother sold some of our chickens and pigs. I also made pozole, coffee and flan and sold them door-to-door.
I was working in my first job after college, for a nonprofit organization called Mexfam, when I met a staff member from ChildFund`s Tonala Program, from which I had so many fond memories of growing up. She invited me to give a presentation for a mothers` workshop. Not long after, they invited me to apply for a job there.
I have always loved to work with children €” I think I`m very patient, which makes me suited for the work. What I like most is when sponsored children receive their letters. I try to help them write back and show them how they can better express their ideas and feelings. I share with them that one of the highest dreams of a sponsor is to know that their sponsored child continues his or her studies and prepares for the future.
I still love to write poetry, and I share it every chance I get. In fact, in some of the events ChildFund organizes in the community, I use it according to the theme we`re working on.
I think ChildFund is an organization with a very strong and clear objective. They try to cover the most important needs of the communities they work with in Mexico. ChildFund has a special way of thinking of each community and its people, in which it`s more important to know the real needs of the people rather than to impose an administrative process wherever they work. ChildFund cares for people.
