Help 455 At-Risk Children in Mexico Stay in School

The following is a postcard from Lucius and Sarah, GlobalGiving's In-the-Field Representatives in Mexico, about Fundación EDUCA Mexico's amazing ethics program for pre-schoolers. 

At 7:30AM in Ixtapaluca, a poor municipality just thirty minutes outside Mexico City by car, the groan of an empty stomach brings young children to the local pre-school. These children love coming to school because it is a safe haven and a welcome respite from the violence and poverty that plagues their society. 

Fundación EDUCA Mexico A.C runs a pilot program called “Universal Education for the Development of Ethics” in which young pre-schoolers begin their mornings with a session of tai chi. It was a rare sight to see pre-schoolers practice tai chi, and equally mesmerizing to watch them move so gracefully. Tai chi teaches these children calmness and empathy, and reduces their preponderance to violence. 

Next, a teacher leads them into a dark classroom to meditate and reflect. Meditation imbues these children with self-restraint, something rarely seen in a violent society. Finally, they engage in a discussion where one classmate presents a real-life scenario from home and other classmates debate the morality of certain actions. This problem-solving approach helps them to understand the logic behind their actions and thought process, calmly assessing the situation from an outsider's perspective. It was incredible to witness the positive effects that the program had on these kids' lives. 

A new generation of Mexicans are emerging that need creative and sustainable education programs such as these to inculcate deep-seated values early on in life. Fundación EDUCA plays a vital role in keeping these programs up and running. Without support from the Mexican government, your donations are more vital than ever.

Support Fundación EDUCA on GlobalGiving by clicking here