Arts & crafts for migrant and indigenous children

In the past few months, we were finally able to hold the Encuentro por las Infancias, las Juventudes y el Territorio (Gathering for Childhood, Youth, and the Territory) in Juchitán de Zaragoza, Oaxaca. We have so much to share with you! Eleven organizations working in Oaxaca with a common mission—to create better worlds for children and adolescents—came together for this event. We'll be sharing more details soon about what we, as adults, managed to accomplish for the 2024-2025 agenda on this important issue.

But today, we want to tell you about the artistic and performance episode we experienced at the event: Voces del Istmo (Voices of the Isthmus), which was attended by over 150 people of all ages. One of the most inspiring stories came from the community of Álvaro Obregón and their girls' guitar group, Guixhi Huinii. Before the event, we spoke with their music teacher, who told us about the many challenges these girls face. With limited resources, their community rarely received invitations to participate in cultural events, restricting opportunities for the girls to express themselves artistically through music.

We decided to come together to ensure their attendance at the event. The girls were excited to participate, knowing the value of being present at the festival. Through their participation, they not only showcased their incredible talent but also strengthened their sense of community and belonging. This was the first time they performed "Huachinango Rojo" (Red Snapper), a piece they had previously played for a documentary, now brought to life on a broad stage. "This moment was very significant for them," said Jesús, their music teacher.

With the goal of raising awareness about the violence present in our communities, this documentary has gained attention worldwide, and we were fortunate to share it that day. We screened the documentary Huachinango Rojo, with its director, Cinthya, joining us for the viewing. The documentary explores the ritual surrounding virginity that is still practiced today in the Zapotec community of Álvaro Obregón.

New alliances have formed to support the children of the region, and we are building new, shared agendas. Above all, we are thrilled to create spaces where the voices of Istmo de Tehuantepec children can be heard.

Thank you for making such a magical event possible. Stay tuned for more updates about this important day for protecting the rights of children and youth.