Help marginalized Mexican children and teenagers

Hi,

I hope you are doing as fine as the children and teachers who participate in our program "Help marginalized Mexican children to study" in Coahuila! This program helps the marginalized students and their teachers to develop their life skills, such as decision-making, creativity, self-knowledge and assertive communication and reduce their psychosocial barriers such as guilt, shame and fear. Studies show that these skills are important protective factors against many social problems, such as violence, drug addictions and eating disorders.

Originally, our goal was to work with 26 teachers, 750 children and 650 parents. However, ou program has been received so enthusiastically, that we are working now with 891 children. In total, the program benefits 1571 persons (28 teachers, 891 students and 650 parents) in 17 primary schools in Torreon, state of Coahuila. The results have been postive and more schools in the area are interested in participating in the program. 

In the last report we shared with you the positive results of the evaluation with the teachers. The program evaluation has also shown positive effects in the students. After participating in the program, they have increased their life skills and have now better group work skills and manage better their emotions. They are also more motivated to study than before. 

A 28-year-old teacher in the "Dr. Habib Estefano" School told us his experience with his students after the first year of the program:  

This school year, we are continuing the work with the same children and teachers. The students will be now studying in the fifth grade in primary school. This year, the participants will continue to develop their life skills and we will work with them on new themes, too. This year, the program will be addressing healthy nutrition. In the Northern frontier of Mexico, bad food habits, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are a serious public health problem. Starting to work with the children in early age can make a lasting change. We also invite parents to participate in interactive conferences, so that the whole family can benefit from the knowledge and skills acquired in the program.  

With your help, this program can have major impact and change the lives of marginalized Mexican children in Coahuila. Thank you for continuing to support this great effort!