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Oaxaca, Mexico - Community Nutrition

Location: Oaxaca, Mexico
Project Focus:
 Nutrition Education
Length: 8 Weeks
Dates: June 8, 2010 - August 2, 2010
Restrictions: A high level of Spanish proficiency is preferred.

Project Specific Activities:

  • Work with community members on nutrition issues, including amaranth planting, cooking demonstrations and community/family gardens.
  • Collaborate with local youth to conduct workshops about amaranth and general nutrition.
  • Collaborate with community members on the planning and implementation of a community-based initiative (CBI).

Take a Photo Tour of Oaxaca:

Project Area:

Established in the late fifteenth century as an Aztec stronghold and occupied by Spanish conquistadors in 1521, Oaxaca today is a colorful, modern city of a half-million inhabitants, the capital of the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, and a cultural center of extraordinary ethnic diversity. Volunteers will stay in partnerships of two or three in rural communities 30 minutes to three hours from Oaxaca City, where they will have a unique chance to explore the fascinating and complex realities of Mexican culture, politics and economy while living with a local host family.

In spite of its cultural wealth, Oaxaca remains the second poorest state in Mexico, with malnutrition, illiteracy, and inadequate medical care effecting large segments of the population.  Many community-members, particularly men and young people, have emigrated to Northern Mexico or the US in search of alternative means of survival.  This exodus can place further strain on those left behind, commonly women and children. 

Project History:

For 28 years, AMIGOS has been building strong ties with communities and public service organizations in the state of Oaxaca, México.  From 1979 until 2002, there was a strong collaboration with the Oaxacan State Health Services to build latrines and fuel-efficient stoves.  In 2003 the projects began to evolve into youth focused community development programs, and partnerships were forged with two nutrition-focused non-governmental organizations (NGOs): Un Kilo de Ayuda and Puente a la Salud Comunitaria.  Additionally, in 2003 a culture-focused program was piloted, which came to include a technology component in 2005.  In 2010, AMIGOS will continue the community nutrition program in partnership with Puente a la Salud Cominitaria.

Partner Agencies:

Puente a la Salud Comunitaria

Further Actions:
AMIGOS Voices

“I believe the work AMIGOS Volunteers do in their host communities helps them become world citizens and helps them appreciate the role they can play in making the world a better place abroad, and also back home.”

–Rachel Marks, Veteran Volunteer and public health graduate student