Literacy for Adults: Reading the World (Mexico)

Dear Friends of Atzin and Tlamacazapa,                                                                 January, 2021

During 2020, we have held each other’s hands; been helped by the wise counsel of others when challenging situations hit us hard; and felt encouraged by people’s generosity and concern for the poorest amongst us.

As a team, we planned a covid response in early April and worked the plan thoroughly till year end – that all was immensely satisfying with notable advances in promoter skills and the emergence of greater goodwill with more families. At the same time, we rebounded from one crisis to the next, contributing to a general sense of exhaustion as well as a growing worry about the increasing numbers of pregnant women and infants with health problems as well as new children with special needs.

While still surrounded by many who are ill but now with fewer deaths, we focus on re-gaining momentum in our health and education programs, and continued training of promoters, in particular, Ana and Marisol, the two young women who are working in the Atzin office and carrying more responsibility.

Since mid-September the educators have been giving classes outdoors in the open air to 120 children aged 6-12 years of age. Each child attends twice a week for three hours, in small groups of eight, eats a meal, and leaves with homework. One young promoter monitors handwashing, face masks, disinfection and safe distance. Without these classes, the children would lose a year of reading, writing and arithmetic. (Our literacy program for women and youth as well as early stimulation for young children remain on hold- we just dont have available space.)

Our Midwifery and Motlan Dental Programs are operating with high demand; people line up for their turn, and we can only admire their patient persistence.

Those with acute special needs receive medicines and vitamins, home visits and food packages each month. We re-started the organization of medical appointments with promoter accompaniment and transport costs, working around the current limitations in government medical services.

The bald truth: Covid has exposed the world’s glaring inequalities and toxic environments, driving us to do what is possible to re-member and re-construct healthy, healing lives. We press on with the creation of opportunities for better times.

Again, our grateful appreciation to all who donated, supported and cheered us on during these months.

Thank you and warmest best wishes for 2021.

Susan Smith
Director, Atzin

Links:

• Newly constructed Atzin website.