Help marginalized Mexican children and teenagers

Building Active, Inclusive, and Healthy Schools in Mexico City

This year, Juega Más – Escuelas Activas, implemented by Yo Quiero, Yo Puedo, reached 40 public schools in 13 boroughs of Mexico City, directly impacting 12,903 students (6,287 girls and 6,616 boys). The program has one clear mission: to transform schools into active, inclusive, and joyful communities through play, physical activity, and sport.

Why it matters

In Mexico, most children do not meet the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 60 minutes of daily physical activity. In primary schools, Physical Education is limited to just two 50-minute classes per week, leaving thousands of children—especially girls—without opportunities to enjoy the benefits of movement.

Juega Más (Active schools) is changing this reality. We work inside schools, with teachers, principals, families, and students, to make movement part of daily life and ensure that every child, regardless of gender, feels included and valued.

Key Achievements 2024-2025

Quality Physical Education improved:

•  In schools with two years of participation, all 10 quality indicators of Physical Education improved significantly 
•  76.3% of students report equal participation between girls and boys.
•  81.7% describe PE classes as “fun”, and 88.5% prefer mixed-gender teams.

Teachers empowered:

•  89 PE teachers trained, with 75% consistent attendance at workshops. Teachers now use more inclusive and playful methods, adjusting activities so that all children can participate.
  
  
• Girls leading change:
   Girls participated in 9 different sports, compared to boys, 51% of whom concentrate mainly on soccer. Their voices are now more present:

    “I never give up… I stand up and keep going.” – Girl, 8 years

     “Our teacher always listens to us when we raise our hands.” – Girl, 9 years

•  80% of principals were women, actively leading school transformation.

Community events that inspire:

    Festival Juega Más: Over 500 attendees (children, families, teachers, volunteers).

    13 school festivals strengthened community bonds and promoted family involvement.

Challenges we face

• Limited after-school opportunities: While 92% of children want to do sports outside school, only half actually do—mainly because of lack of spaces and resources.
  
  
• Partnerships with government and institutions remain fragile, limiting access to venues and long-term sustainability.

Your support can turn this vision into reality—helping thousands of children, especially girls, experience the joy, confidence, and well-being that come from play and movement. By donating to Juega Más – Active Schools, you are not only funding activities, but also empowering teachers, strengthening families, and transforming schools into healthier, more inclusive communities. Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to move, play, and thrive.

In a country where thousands of children grow up in contexts marked by violence, poverty, and limited access to quality education and recreation, Juega Más – Escuelas Activas emerges as a critical intervention. Led by the Mexican Institute for Research on Family and Population (IMIFAP – Yo Quiero Yo Puedo), this initiative brings the power of play, movement, and sport into public elementary schools in Mexico City, transforming them into spaces for healing, social-emotional development, and physical well-being.

How do we do it?

1. Promoting Equity: We work in underserved areas where access to extracurricular programs is minimal or nonexistent. By donating materials, uniforms, and training, we level the playing field—literally.
2. Strengthening Teachers: Our model builds the capacity of physical education teachers through 3 annual trainings, experiential learning opportunities, and ongoing support, helping them become key allies in social-emotional learning and prevention efforts.
3. Creating a Movement Culture in Schools: We embed physical activity in the school culture—not as an extra, but as a core strategy to promote inclusion, motivation, and teamwork.

Recent Achievements (Past Few Months):
-Reached over 12,900 children across 40 public elementary schools in Mexico City.
-Trained 89 physical education teachers in cutting-edge practices, including trauma-informed sport and Healing-Centered Education.
-Held a successful sports festival engaging over 1,200 children and their families, with 100% of surveyed participants rating the event as positive.
-Donated sports kits and uniforms to schools and teachers, improving motivation and participation.
-Connected teachers with elite experiences, such as training sessions with national-level soccer coaches and virtual conferences with Latin American experts in education and sport.
-Fostered cross-school collaboration,  using play and movement as tools for school improvement.

Feedback from our participants:

They highlight improvements in student behavior, greater classroom engagement, and stronger school climate.

Why Support Juega Más?
Healing through Movement: Physical activity is not just about exercise—it's a tool for emotional regulation, stress relief, and trauma recovery. Many of the children we serve have faced violence at home or in their communities. Through structured games and sports, they find joy, safety, and connection.