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Programs
Amextra’s programs are the
places where transformation processes
are developed. Processes which have emerged
from local initiatives, the recognition
of local gifts, resources and needs which
are then developed into programs appropriate
to the diverse contexts. All of the programs
promote the values of justices, cooperation,
integration and a philosophy of continuous
change through small group reflections,
workshops and training sessions. They
support the use of local resources and
build relationships with local institutions.
In this way we currently have programs
in eight different areas. In each of the
six different regions, there is a holistic
combination of some of these programs.
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Agriculture and Animals
The rural production areas include corn, bean,
vegetable and fruit production; as well as
sheep, goat, cattle, bird and bee raising.
Amextra works alongside local practices and
helps to provide and improve incomes. Farmers
face major problems such as crop plagues,
low prices for their coffee, cocoa, corn and
bean harvests, unfertile land, and animal
diseases. Possible solutions which have been
implemented are: training on the use of vaccines,
workshops about the best ways to raise livestock,
examples of proper crop rotation, legume planting
to fertilize the soil, incorporation of organic
coffee harvesting techniques, technical plaque
control assistance, and much more. This program
has brought hope because it generates options
of producing more commercially attractive
items, while also assuring basic nutrition
for families. It emphasizes: training, farmer
organization, introduction of new farming
methods and improved infrastructure and equipment.
Organized groups, leaders, local authorities
and church leaders all participate in this
community development project. This program
can be found in Chiapas and Villa Victoria.
 up
 Testimonies
Health and Nutrition
The nutrition area is based on the implementation
of soy nutrition projects and strategies for
fighting malnutrition. The nutrition program
is focused on the improvement of children’s
nutritional level by working with both children
and their mothers, so that with stable health
conditions they can develop their personal abilities
and capacities to the maximum. The health area
works to provide basic health care and information
through the support of either permanent or volunteer
doctors, dentists, opticians and community promoters.
This program can be found in Chiapas and Lomas
de San Isidro.
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Testimonies
Peace
Education
The Peace Education program holds workshops
in public schools in order to work with children,
parents and teachers on topics such as: thought
transformation, self-esteem, sexuality, nonviolent
conflict resolution, communication skills and
others. This anti-violence area also provides
counseling for abuse victims, individuals and
families and tools for stopping the spread of
domestic violence, particularly in single-parent
homes and public schools. The program is also
committed to continually training community
promoters in order to further multiply its effects.
This program can be found in El Ajusco Medio,
Lomas de San Isidro and Xonacatlán.
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Testimonies
Savings and
Loan
The savings and loan program is based on specially
designed financial services for those who are
traditionally excluded from formal financial
institutions. Most participants are already
microentrepreneurs whose income earning activities
are limited due to lack of financing. Even a
very small amount of capital can dramatically
multiply a families’ income by enabling them
to purchase merchandise at reduced, wholesale
prices or acquire previously unattainable tools
that increase productive efficiency. Amextra’s
program uses a group methodology, which 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 each other’s loans. This activity
involves hundreds of associates with thousands
of pesos in savings destined towards micro credits
which in turn respond to needs of nutrition,
education, health and small business initiatives.
This program can be found in Valle de Chalco,
El Ajusco Medio and Chiapas.
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Testimonies
Emergency
Apoyo de emergencia inmediata con alimentos,
medicinas, consulta médica, acompañamiento emocional
y agua potable. Acompañado de un proceso de
identificación rápida de necesidades, con los
que se realizará un planteamiento integral de
apoyo a los damnificados.Actualmente estamos
llevando a cabo un proyecto en la Sierra de
Chiapas después de los daños causados por el
Huracán Stan.
upTestimonies
Education
The projects in this area support the growth
and academic, social and emotional development
of children, youth and adults. These community
service programs, such as day care centers and
a kindergarten for children, after school tutoring
and computer and English classes for youth,
and adult education classes all seek a holistic
development for future generations.
Children
The daycare centers and kindergarten support
the academic, social and spiritual growth
of children so that they achieve a more holistic
and complete educational development from
7:30am to 7pm. They provide loving care and
attention, as well as breakfast, snack and
a lunch all at a very low cost. The teachers
are mothers from the community. Many came
to the program with an uncompleted elementary
education, yet have now gone back to school,
graduated from high school, taken outside
courses and attended workshops in order to
better assist and serve the program. The centers
primarily care for children of single mothers
who have no other place to leave their children
while they leave to work up to three shifts
a day. This program can be found in El Ajusco
Medio, Valle de Chalco, Lomas de San Isidro
and Xonacatlán.
Testimonies
Youth
The youth program provides after school tutoring,
computer and English classes, special help
for entrance exams, and also offers a concentrated
government schooling program which enable
students to complete their elementary, junior
high or high school education while they work,
even though they are past the legal age limit
for public schools, or if they did not make
the deadline for registration in the overcrowded
public schools. This program can be found
in El Ajusco Medio, Valle de Chalco and Lomas
de San Isidro.
Testimonies
Adults
This area focuses on information and formation
through talks, workshops, training seminars
and campaigns which help to develop knowledge,
abilities and income generating tools. A few
of the areas that are taught are: administration,
business management, organization skills,
leadership, self-esteem, values, beautician
and stylist, reading and writing, bread making,
recycled paper and much more.
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Testimonies
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