Facing necessity through a friendship

1. What is DIJO?

Desarrollo Integral de la Juventud Oaxaqueña , is a non-profit, civil association which is part of the AVSI internatioanl network. Since 1993, DIJO has developed programs directed to the education of children, youth and families in and around the city of Oaxaca . The main objective of the organization is to support the full development of children, youth and their families living in situations of poverty and vulnerability. DIJO offers services in the fields of education, nutrition and health, and psycho-social support.

Timeline of key events in DIJO's story.

Presentation of 2006 Soccer Tournament with children and youth at DIJO's five Educational Centers.

Pamphlet about DIJO in PDF format: in Spanish, in English.

Photos from DIJO.

2. Fields of Action

The action areas are focused on nurturing the integrity and well-being of the most underprivileged children who are supported through projects with the following activities:

Health

• Referrals and follow-up of cases requiring emergency medical attention and specialized care .
• Provision of complementary food resources to the needy populations (relying on donations) .
• Promotion of preventative health measures .
• Promotion of good hygiene practices .

 Education

• Remedial academic support for children without access to school or at risk of dropping out .
• Psychoeducational care,, in particular for children with learning disabilities and behavioral problems, as well as for those children with socialization difficulties or victims of domestic violence .
• Extra-curricular activities, including recreation, culture and sports.
• Computer courses for children and adolescents.

DIJO provides these services through the five existing educational centers in each of the neighborhoods where DIJO works.

Family

• Through community educators, DIJO carries out home visits with the objective of understanding the socio-economic dynamics of the communities and to detect problems requiring immediate attention
• Training of adults in productive activities and commercialization to improve their quality of life.
• Psychological care and therapy for parents on an as-needed basis.

The activities carried out directly with the children also contribute to overall family well-being.

Nutrition

• DIJO provides a daily breakfast to more than 150 children in the community kitchen called, “ La Compañía ”, where nutritious, balanced meals are prepared. The menus are planned to support children's optimal growth with the support of a volunteer nutriologist.
• Training in the nutritional needs of children and in food preparation is offered for the mothers of the community.
• Regular assessment of weight and height measures of the children is carried out for all children. It is done with greater frequency in cases of under or over weight children.

3. Geographical Areas of Intervention

DIJO carries out its action plan in the areas surrounding Oaxaca that require priority attention due to precarious conditions and level of development (extreme poverty, marginalization, vulnerability).

Five Educational Centers have been established in the following communities:

Monte Alban :

-Daily breakfasts to more than 150 children in extreme poverty in the community kitchen, "La Compania".

- Preventative health services.

- Psychological counseling.

- Skills training for adults and parents in productive activities.

- Extra-curricular activities including recreation, culture and sports.

Located in: Plaza Comunitaria de la Colonia Monte Alban en San Martín Mexicapam.

Tlalixtac de Cabrera:

- Remedial and mentoring support for pre-school and primary school children.

- Computer courses for children and youth.

- Reading groups.

- Extra-curricular activities including recreation, culture and sports.

Located in: Municipal buildings of Tlalixtac de Cabrera

Xoxocotlán:

- Remedial and mentoring support for pre-school and primary school children.

- Extra-curricular activities including recreation, culture and sports.

- Psychoeducational support for children and youth.

Located in: Meeting Rooms of Colonia Insurgentes, in Municipality of Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán

 San Luis Beltrán:

- Remedial and mentoring support for pre-school and primary school children.

- Psychoeducationall support for children and youth.

- Extra-curricular activities including recreation, culture and sports.

Located in: La Agencia of San Luis Beltrán

San Felipe del Agua:

- Remedial and mentoring support for pre-school and primary school children.

- Psycho-educational support for children and youth.

- Extra-curricular activities including recreation, culture and sports.

Located in: La Agencia of San Felipe del Agua

4. Cross-Cutting Themes

DIJO attends to the needs of:

• child laborers
• at-risk children
• vulnerable families, and in particular mothers

5. Resource Base

The progress made by DIJO is due to a number of people and organizations which share the desire to support the population living in situations of extreme poverty and vulnerability. Thanks to the generosity and interest in contributing to the social development of the least-favored population, DIJO has been able to grow its services and programs significantly. Yet, at the same time, the needs of the communities to which DIJO is committed have also continued to grow. All the people and institutions that support DIJO have the certainty that their donations are directly benefiting the children and their families.

DIJO’s annual budget is supported through the execution of projects financed by the following sources:

• 60% by AVSI Foundation
• 13% by national nonprofit associations
• 13% by federal programs
• 5% by businesses
• 8% by in-kind donations

6. Contact Information

DIJO A.C

Pensamientos 501-A

Col. Reforma

Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Mexico

Tel. y Fax: (011) (52) (951) 513-8181

E-mail: dijoeduc@terra.com.mx