Education & Health for 250 children in Tultitlan

One year after the earthquake we have received a great gift! Thanks to your support after the earthquake, combined with help from  the Mexican Government, we have been able to add two new members to our Tultitlán, State of Mexico team!

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Benigno (Beni), the team´s new psychologist, and Karla, the new nutritionist, who will be working closely with children and families in the region on their mental health and nutrition.  We recognize that for children to be focused on school, it´s necessary for them to be mentally prepared and consume a balanced diet.  

From September 2018 to June 2019 our goal will be to diagnose children psychologically, and provide follow-up when necessary with the help of Beni.  Born in the state of Chiapas, Beni has just recently moved to Tultitlán. He received his B.A. in Psychology from the Mesoamerican University in San Cristobal, Chiapas in 2015 and is currently working on his M.A. in Psychology from the Center of University Studies of the East and Southeast. He has worked as a phycologist a Doctors Without Borders, the Secretary of Health in Chiapas, and the Red Cross. With his work experience as well as passion for working with marginalized communities, we know Beni will be a great addition to our team.  

Karla comes to Amextra with an equally impressive resume!  Karla received her degree in nutrition from the Bicentennial University of Mexico. She most recently worked at a home for abandoned children ages 0-6, with responsibilities such as the elaboration of healthy menus for the house cafeteria, tracking of children's nutritional history, and improving the health status of children in a state of malnutrition. With Karla´s help, parents will learn to prepare the vegetables grown in the community center garden, which they can also learn to plant in their own homes.  In other regions where Amextra collaborates, such as Chiapas, this program has had a very positive effect in the children we work with. In fact, in the Highlands region of Chiapas last year ended without a single child with severe anemia, and with 20% more children with normal levels of hemoglobin.  We´re very excited to see these advances in Tultitlán as well. 

As the final part of the holistic health program, our dentist, Carlos will keep providing low-cost services to patients at the Amextra Community Center dental office, as well as giving workshops at local schools. During the next 6 months, Carlos will be working with 300 kids at local school for the application of fluoride and to teach about healthy brushing and flossing habits.  

In the past year it has been wonderful to see the advances in Tultitlán, with education, income generation, and the beginning of this  integral health program.  Together, we can help the community of Tultitlán transform into a community with a stronger social fabric, opportunities for education, for employment, and with children and adults that are healthy physically and mentally. Thank you for being a part of our community!