About Oaxaca

Oaxaca de Juarez, typically known as just Oaxaca, is a city located in the heart of Oaxaca state, mountainous central southern Mexico about five hours south of Mexico City. It has a population of about 300,000 and over 60 different native dialects spoken.

There are many vibrant ministries happening through Covenant Churches within the city and surrounding area. A few being: Casa Hogar – an orphanage and school for local children; Foundation for Family Development – parenting and marriage enrichment courses; Fuentes Libres – a micro-enterprise lending operation for women; Semillas de Salud – community health screenings and preventative care.

However, there is also real need in the region. Oaxaca is the second poorest state in Mexico with roughly 75% of its occupants living in extreme poverty and nearly 100,000 Oaxacan people living outside their state within Mexico in order to make a living and send money back home. There has been an overwhelming absence of economic development in the state of Oaxaca because of its rural nature, which has led to poverty and migration. Due to the lack of education and indigenous backgrounds, the work available to Oaxacan migrants is minimal and often demeaning.

Our initial role will be learning the language and building relationships. As Spanish is often a second language for most Oaxacans, we will be learning Mixtec and Zapotec dialects and cultures as well as strengthening our Spanish speaking abilities. After that, we plan to work with churches outside of the city in order to get them what they need (supplies, pastoral support, financial support, programming, etc.) in the hope that we are able to connect with some of the disenfranchised farmers and workers. Our goal is to find out how best to come alongside these people in order to help them receive the education they need and pursue more a sustainable living.

We cannot do this without your help.

Please consider partnering with us!

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