I have one young man in Mexico; Joel.
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Dear Kayla,
My name is Omar Villagran. I have been the country director for Compassion Mexico since 2004. Compassion Mexico started serving children in 1979 with dining rooms. In 1990, the country office was established in Mexico City. Today, we serve more than 45,000 children though about 210 child development centers in seven Mexican states.
Omar Villagran
Thanks to your sponsorship, Joel can develop in many areas of life. Poverty limits children, hurting them with a lack of health, education, and opportunities. You are helping to change that for Joel.
In our centers, center children and youth have dreams and goals, and they know that attaining these is possible. They receive at least one medical checkup each year and participate in different learning activities that complement school. They eat a nutritious meal each time they come to the activities. Part of the program focuses on developing physical abilities, where the children learn to play and work as a team.
A Boy Receives a Checkup at His Project
Each child receives a Bible, in which many have found answers and comfort for many of the struggles they face themselves or within their families. Due to poverty, many children are unable to manage healthy relationships with their families and those around them. But we see many children's lives and their family's lives being transformed. Behind each little one we support is a family that receives the opportunity to be free; their entire world can be transformed.
A Large Indigenous Family Outside Their Home
Poverty challenges people in every aspect of life, so our fight seems to have no end. Unfortunately, our country has serious nutritional problems. The central zone and the north of the country hold first place worldwide in childhood obesity; one in three adolescents between 12 and 19 years old is overweight or obese, and this problem is now affecting even three-to-five-year-olds. On the other hand, Mexico reports high rates of malnutrition in the southeast of the country, in the urban areas. 7.25 percent of children from 5 to 14 years old suffer from chronic malnutrition, and twice as many in the rural areas. The high risk of an indigenous child dying from diarrhea, malnutrition or anemia is three times higher in indigenous or rural areas than in urban zones. This is why we are committed to work harder each day.
Children Eating a Meal at Their Project
Compassion Mexico works with the churches that have established the child development centers. We have started nutrition and childcare workshops, teaching the children and their parents to eat in a healthy way with what they have within their area and reach. In our centers, children learn to combine a good diet with exercise to have a healthier life.
Teens Enjoy a Game of Basketball at Their Project
Besides all the program strategies to support the children and their families, we see that the close relationships children develop with their sponsors influence their development. Through sponsor letters, children know someone is concerned for them, is interested in their growth, and constantly prays for them. Getting to know their sponsor through a letter, a photo, or a visit inspires them to continue, because the know that they are not alone. Please write your child as often as you can.
Children Write Letters to Their Sponsors
Millions of children live in extreme poverty, but we are making a difference one child at a time. Please uphold our staff and the volunteers in our partner churches in your prayers, because our work would not be possible without their effort and dedication.
Cute Boys!
I cannot say more than thank you for all the support you provide to Joel. We are grateful for your love for Joel and the heart that you have for our country.
Shalom,
Omar Villagran Arjona
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