Today, Mexico is the world’s tenth most populous nation — and largest Spanish-speaking country by population — with a growing, diversified economy and a relatively stable democratic government. However, despite the country’s wealth of culture, history, natural resources and beauty, many natives and immigrants are plagued by impoverished living conditions. Crime and murder rates in the country are high, and corruption and drug cartel activity are constant sources of concern despite efforts to eliminate them.
In Mexico, children’s very lives and futures are at risk, as they struggle with poverty and lack of educational resources. Right now, children in Mexico need your help.
Mexico has long suffered from high poverty and lack of social programs. The COVID-19 pandemic has likely made these issues worse, and according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in a joint study conducted with the Mexican government, more than 20 million Mexican children and adolescents are estimated to live in poverty, and five million of them in extreme poverty.
Additionally, the study found that nearly 14% of Mexican children under five years of age are stunted, meaning they are slowed in their development often as a result of malnutrition. The rate is higher in rural areas, reaching nearly 33%.
Challenges for Children in Mexico
In Mexico, children’s very lives and futures are at risk, as they struggle with poverty and lack of educational resources. Right now, children in Mexico need your help.
- Over half of Mexican children 18 years old and younger (52.6 percent) live in poverty
- 4 million Mexican children live in extreme poverty
- 30% of children between the ages of 3 and 5 do not receive an education
- In Mexico, only 62% of the children start high school, and only 45% of them finish
- In 6 out of every 10 households a child is forced to work to contribute to his or her family
Our Work in Mexico
Thanks to caring people like you, Children Incorporated has helped thousands of impoverished children in Mexico since 1964.
We work with our volunteer coordinators in local communities to provide health and nutrition, education, hygiene items, clothes, shoes, and other essentials that help children and families rise above the poverty in which they live. Our strategy is to focus on individual children through our sponsorship program, ensuring they are receiving exactly what they need on a regular basis.
Your support makes all our work possible for children in Mexico who are living in crisis.
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How do I sponsor a child in Mexico?
You can sponsor a child in Mexico in one of three ways: call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with one of our staff members; email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org; or go online to our sponsorship portal, create an account, and search for a child in Mexico that is available for sponsorship.
SOURCES:
https://news.un.org/en/story/2013/04/436072-majority-poor-mexico-are-children-un-report
https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2022/01/24/cf-fostering-inclusion-in-mexico
https://www.esperanzacontigo.org/en/publication/74/help-fight-poverty-in-mexico