Health and Nutrition



In Mexico, approximately 14% of the population suffers from food insufficiency; there simply are not enough resources to provide food.  According to statistics from CONEVAL, of 24.7 million homes that exist in the country, 2.4 million do not have bathrooms and 2.8 million homes do not have sewage systems. 

Amextra’s Nutrition Program has impacted 33,000 people and is focused on the improvement of children’s nutritional level through collaboration with both children and their parents.  The program focuses on improving the health of each child, reducing malnutrition, and digestive and respiratory diseases, to allow each person the opportunity to develop their mental and physical abilities, with stable health conditions they can develop to their full potential. The health area works to provide basic health care, latrines, wood saving stoves, hygiene workshops, medical and dental campaigns and specialist support through the support of either permanent or volunteer doctors, dentists, opticians and community promoters.  This program can be found in Lomas de San Isidro and Chiapas. 

Specific Example:
In the Chalco Valley, State of Mexico in 1985 the percentage of malnutrition for children under 5 years old was 70% for the 2500 children in the area.  We began a nutrition program based on soy, achieving the inversion of this situation in 10 years, from 70% malnourished to 30%.  The evidence of this success is shown in the quarterly nutritional records that were kept.  The use of soy became a habit in these colonies and continues to spread to other areas. 

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Income Generation  



The World Bank affirms that poverty in Mexico remains at unacceptably high levels and that these levels of poverty are similar to those recorded in the 1990’s.  More than 50% of the country’s population is poor, due to the great unequal distribution of wealth. The wealthiest 10% of the population earns more than 40% of the total income, while the poorest 10% earns only 1.1% of the total wealth.  The profound regional and ethnic inequalities also contribute to poverty in terms of access to quality health care, education and public services.  Approximately 53% of the 104 million inhabitants live in these conditions, defined as having consumption levels lower than needed to cover basic food and other minimum needs.  Minimum wage PER DAY is at $5 USD.  In 2006 the minimum wage was barely enough to cover 16% of what a worker could buy two decades before.  It is the pay scale which has most gravely and drastically suffered in all of Latin America.  Diverse research has coincided in that these salaries are completely unfit for covering basic needs. This minimum wage refers to workers who actually receive this amount, which is only about 1 in 3.  Other workers receive much less.  What can be purchased on this salary when the cost of basic supplies remains high? Milk costs almost $4 a gallon, meat is at $3 per pound and a pound of tortillas costs .25 cents (many families eat at least 2 pounds per day). These costs do not include other foods such as fruits and vegetables or transportation which could easily cost $1 per day. 

Amextra’s Income Generation Area has impacted 20,000 people and works to alleviate the poverty caused by this national economic situation.  The savings and loan program provides financial services specifically designed for those who are traditionally excluded from formal financial banking institutions.  Most participants are already micro-entrepreneurs whose income generating opportunities are limited due to a lack of financing.  Even a very small amount of capital can dramatically multiply a family’s income by enabling them to purchase merchandise at reduced, wholesale prices or acquire previously unattainable tools that increase productive capacity.  Amextra’s program uses a group methodology that replaces material collateral (which the poor often lack) with social collateral (which is often plentiful among the poor).  Participants form groups of 5 to 20 members who meet weekly to save together and guarantee one another’s loans. The program involves thousands of participants with millions of pesos in savings that serve as micro credits for other business owners.  These programs are self-sustaining and the income generated by these businesses impacts the community’s nutritional, educational and economic needs and is also re-invested in Amextra’s other social programs.  This program can be seen in Ajusco, Chalco Valley and Chiapas.  Amextra also promotes projects to improve family incomes such as the creation of small businesses, vocational training and the sale of products such as clothing, food and handicrafts.  We also participate in Fair Trade activities. 

Specific Example:
In three regions, Chiapas, Ajusco, and the Chalco Valley, Amextra began microfinance programs which in 2008 now have more than 6,000 participants, saving more than 12 million, with almost 50 million out in loans and a recuperation rate of 99% and 75% participation from women.

 

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Emergency Relief


An interesting video Emergency Relief Video

Mexico’s 2 million square kilometers of national territory have been the scene of big natural disasters, many of which have gone unregistered. Droughts, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and even plagues have all occurred.  Large cities have disappeared, migrations have begun and even the geography has been altered.  Natural disasters are now occurring with increased intensity in the country and the consequences become more permanent every time. 

Amextra’s Emergency Relief Area focuses on a quick diagnosis of needs and a direct relationship with the affected people in order to address post-disaster necessities such as food, medical assistance, clothing, aid for re-establishing productive activities and support for preventing future disasters.  In 2008 Amextra implemented its eighth emergency relief program in Tabasco, directly benefitting more than 17,000 people (3,378 families) and 76, 800 people indirectly.  In previous years this area has impacted almost 13,000 people by immediately providing food, water, medicine, and blankets.  For longer term projects Amextra has worked to re-establish local businesses and/or farming possibilities as well as the reconstruction of homes. 

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Education



A 2005 national census reports that in Mexico there are 1.2 million children between 5 and 14 years old who do not go to school, 1 of every 10 abandons elementary school, and 2 of every 10 never finish junior high.  According to an international study, PISA, over half of 15 year old students do not comprehend what they read and 2 of every 3 are incapable of basic math.  These conditions are worse in indigenous and marginalized areas where children are discriminated against and mistreated.  Children who come from a higher economic status study 12 years of school, while the average education of children from poor families lasts only 3 years.  Statistics show that the national average of people over 15 years old who have not finished elementary school is 23.6%, while statistics referring only to the poorest sectors reveal 44.8% have not finished elementary school.   Other studies show that 60% of young people in Mexico have not finished their basic education.  Between 40 and 60% of the Mexican population lives in impoverished conditions and this statistic is connected to their education. Studies show that poverty causes children to leave school and begin to work, mostly likely in the informal market, in order to help provide for their families. 

To counteract this situation Amextra’s Education Area has impacted 51,000 people and encourages the growth and academic, social and emotional development of children, youth and adults.  These community service programs, such as day care centers and kindergartens for children, after school tutoring, and computer and English classes for youth, and adult education classes, all promote holistic development in the lives of the participants.  Improved education leads to improved self esteem, which enables families to improve their quality of life.  These programs can be found in Ajusco, Chiapas, Chalco Valley and Lomas de San Isidro. 

Peace Education



The Peace Education program has impacted 9,000 people as it works in public schools with children, parents and teachers through workshops on topics such as: thought transformation, self-esteem, sexuality, nonviolent conflict resolution, communication skills and others.   This anti-violence program also provides counseling for abuse victims, and tools to address domestic violence at school and in the home, particularly in single-parent households and public schools.   Peace Education participants are committed to continually training community promoters in order to further multiply its effects. 

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