Support our Centre for Disable Children in Mexico

Dear Supporters,

There are some restrictions on social gatherings in Mexico to avoid the spread of COVID-19 among the population, schools and other public areas are closed, including Save the Children Ludotecas. For this reason, new and different projects have been developed to continue supporting children in Quintana Roo. 

Return to normal activities in the most touristic region in Mexico is still uncertain, even that some economic activities have begun, the schools and recreational areas are still closed, for this reason, Save the Children staff have developed new projects that comply with the federal recommendations and do not compromise the safety of the children that participate at their programs. 

In the previous quarterly report, we described how the virtual ludotecas were created as safe virtual spaces for children and their families to stay engaged with Save the Children projects. Using social media posts, Save the Children staff prepared relevant information and activities for children and their families to practice while they are safe at home, on those posts, there is information that includes, how to better prepare for hurricanes, the impacts of COVID-19 on children, physical and crafts activities with parents, important facts about new-borns and child exploitation, etc. 

This is an amazing initiative and it has boosted their Facebook fan page, but it is not the only one. Save the Children and other partners in Quintana Roo are developing a project to reach and inform youth in the urban and rural areas of the state about addiction prevention, GVI Trust have committed to support the project. 

There is no direct participation from our volunteers or staff at the ludotecas, but we are prepared to start as soon as the ludotecas resume their activities and volunteers start coming to help. The partnership between Save the Children in Quintana Roo, GVI Trust is strong and we continue the communications to support Children welfare and youth addiction prevention. 

Help us to continue fundraising for the children in Mexico, it is important that you join the efforts for a better and brighter future for them, by donating, you are supporting SDG 3 and 4 providing Good Health & Well-being and Quality Education to the most vulnerable. 

Save the Children in Quintana Roo, GVI Trust continue providing support to local children and youth, by developing and supporting initiatives that aim a healthier life and facilitate access to an integral education.  

A very big thnk you for all the support we are receiving.

With Gratitude,

Mexico Children

Dear Supporters,

Since our last report many things have changed, the world has changed due a pandemic disease, and keeping children safe while continuing with their education has become a challenge and an opportunity, Save the Children in Quintana Roo have adapted their activities to reach the children at their homes. 

At the beginning of the year, Save the Children in Quintana Roo ludotecas were working normally with a steady number of children attending to their projects in Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen.

The ludotecas have the main objective of reaching children and promote education in important subjects that are not completely covered by the nation educational system, those subjects include, Children's rights, values, arts & crafts, health workshops, etc. GVI volunteers have supported Save the Children ludotecas in Quintana Roo since 2013, preparing and delivering lessons such as English lessons, physical education, environmental awareness and others, depending on volunteer´s interest and experience. 

At the end of 2019 a new virus was identified in China, and started to extend to other countries, on February 29th, the first case was confirmed in Mexico, the country kept loose freedom until March 23rd, when the federal government establish a strategy of safe distance among citizens, and part of this strategy included closing public places, like schools, ludotecas, etc.   

The area of Quintana Roo was affected hugely as it depends greatly on tourism, most big hotels received cancellations, and affected their finances, for this reason the main sponsor of the Save the Children ludoteca in Puerto Morelos withdraw their donations, jeopardizing the continuing of the ludoteca in this town. Gladly the ludoteca is now temporarily sponsored from other Save the Children funds and staff continue working for the children's welfare in Puerto Morelos. 

The GVI Trust sponsored Internet connection and service paid for 12 months to the Ludoteca in Puerto Morelos, it provided other important equipment that are now supporting Save the Children staff in the new strategy to reach children, remote workshops, the so called Virtual Ludoteca.

The virtual ludoteca uses Facebook as a platform, Save the Children staff records their workshops and share online for parents and children to participate remotely. 

This new reality is challenging Save the Children in Quintana Roo and many other organizations in the region, but it presents a great opportunity to develop remote lessons which has the potential to reach a broader audience, this opportunity, requires not only changing the strategies and operation, but to learn new skills and software to make it work, it comes with new technology requirements that at the moment are lacking. 

The GVI Trust is looking to provide Zoom account membership to allow live workshops, Internet service to the other 2 ludotecas in Playa del Carmen and Cancun, and equipment, including web cameras and microphones, to provide adequate material to continue with their educational programs. 

We face a new reality and we need to adapt strategies to continue making the difference, technologies and software have a huge potential in education and it is time to use them, with your support we are going to continue educating children and improving their lives. 

With Gratitude,

Mexico Children