Monthly Program Update - Mexico (December 2019)

MEXICO EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY UPDATE DECEMBER 2019

TOTAL PROGRAM IMPACT

119 207

STUDENTS IMPACTED

VOLUNTEERS

3,186

VOLUNTEER DAYS

2

SCHOOLS REBUILT

School Opening Celebration We did it! We finished rebuilding the two schools, Itzcoatl preschool and Revolution primary school, of the Unión Zapata community, San Pablo de Villa de Mita, Oaxaca, Mexico!

On December 5, 2019 we celebrated the inauguration of these schools in the company of the students, parents, teachers, directors, as well as donors, allies, staff and members of the Board. It was a wonderfully vibrant event, and included speeches, Mexican flag honors, live music bands, traditional dances and great food for everyone.

It was also an emotional moment for everyone. After many months of hard work on the construction sites and many strenuous days under the sun, being able to see the schools finally finished and children running through their classrooms and playgrounds filled our hearts with joy.

Community Initiatives At the elementary school, with the support of a teacher from the neighborhood community and the AHAH volunteers, a pilot agricultural education program was established in part of the garden. Through a series of workshops, students from 4th to 6th grades are learning the basic parts of the plants, types of species, their lifecycle and organic farming techniques using modern technology, such as the drip system of irrigation.

With the participation of more than 60 local families linked to these schools, the parents committee and the response of the municipal government representatives, we managed to reactivate a waste management system in the locality. There is now a long-term agreement with the local authorities to guarantee the uninterrupted supply of the garbage collection.

Learn about our programs at

allhandsandhearts.org

EdTech Program As part of our efforts to increase the impact of our recovery programs, we have implemented the EdTech program at Revolution primary school.

With the support of Telefonica Foundation, la Caixa, and Ateneo Español de México, we were able to grant the school community the following technology: one server, one intranet router, one portable projector and 40 tablets for use by the children. A digital platform for the management of teaching and learning activities was also provided, and a 45-hour training program to support teachers to incorporate information technology into the classroom. In addition to this, we’ll be providing a two-year technical support service to help ensure successful and sustainable functioning of the program.

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Program Beyond the reconstruction, throughout these months we implemented a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) program in both schools. The school personnel and the parent committees met to integrate two DRR Committees, and the local Civil Defense Department provided them with basic training. The Committee then gave a series of after school educational sessions with the participation of children in 5th and 6th grade, as well as other community members. During this training, basic concepts about recurring disaster risks, evacuation, signaling and first aid were taught; community vulnerabilities were evaluated; reduction solutions were discussed and at least one drill was done.

About All Hands and Hearts We effectively and efficiently address the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters. We communicate directly with local leaders and community members and then deploy our unique model of engaging volunteers to enable direct impact, helping to build safer, more resilient schools, homes and infrastructure.

We have earned a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator six years in a row and a Perfect 100. Less than one percent of rated nonprofits have received this distinction for financial and operational efficiency. .

Our Partners for Mexico*

(*)Donors over $50K USD.

info@allhandsandhearts.org (508) 758-8211