Education for 250 working children in Chiapas

This summer, working girls and boys were able to enjoy play spaces and create science projects using basic materials available to everyone, as well as strengthen their knowledge and advocacy for their rights.

The result of this process has been that participants have strengthened their expression and participation, recognizing and naming their rights, as well as the lack of them in each of their spaces, such as water, safety, and play spaces. Three cleanup sessions were held, one per space. During these sessions, participants were able to reflect on environmental stewardship and raise awareness among the adults in their communities about disposing of trash in the bins, sweeping, and cleaning workspaces: https://youtu.be/kx3fkVP9sLc

Recreational science stimulates their imagination, promotes teamwork and active listening, and helps introduce children to science in a fun way, relearning how to use materials: https://youtu.be/PCVv-kOYHek

Engaging in sports, art, and creative activities helps improve communication and provides safe spaces in a difficult social environment, where spaces for children are increasingly scarce.

Finally, we share our institutional video (with written translation in English) so you can learn more about our history and our commitment to working alongside the working indigenous children of San Cristóbal de las Casas. https://youtu.be/UJngnUd8zes

This continues to be possible thanks to your continued support for this project. We invite you to follow us on our social media @melelxojobal and learn more about our work.

From the entire Melel Xojobal team, thank you very much.

Best regards

In February of this year, the local government carried out a police operation to evict a group of merchants from the city center. Teenagers were illegally detained, and dozens of children were assaulted, primarily psychologically. This is due to a "social cleansing" campaign targeting groups of vendors, primarily criminalizing working children and adolescents. Some of the subsequent actions have included harassing parents by telling them their children cannot work and that if they were found selling, they would be sent to the government system for care. This has generated fear, in addition to being illegal.

In response to this, and based on our mission, we have launched a digital awareness campaign addressing the five main myths people have about working children. You can find a video of this at the following link: https://youtu.be/B86gyQ3-ltg?si=6PBB7gLtc9XYVIin

The goal is to raise awareness about children's right to live safely in the city. This means they can be anywhere without risk, and they can work alongside their families to continue learning and developing their skills. This also means they can earn a much-needed income, as long as it doesn't affect their well-being.

On May 1st, children took to the streets to demand their right to a life free from violence, the right to the city, health, education, and decent work. They marched along the city's main thoroughfares and played and socialized with other child workers in Cathedral Square. https://youtu.be/m8mqLoHO0fQ?si=DEtAcNEb6czt9u74

Likewise, it is necessary to uphold the right to education. Therefore, at Melel, we have created four literacy booklets so that children can strengthen or develop motor and writing skills, thus narrowing the educational gap.

On behalf of the entire Melel Xojobal team, we appreciate your continued support for this project. We invite you to follow us on our social media @melelxojobal and learn more about our work. 

Greetings and thank you.