Mexico emergency relief

In September, 2017, Mexico has been hit by three deadly earthquakes leaving at least 333 people dead and hundreds of houses and buildings totally or partially destroyed. The house that hosts the Center for Community Development Aerogubinos, in Uníon Hidalgo, supported by AVSI's partner Crecemos, was one of them. Since the first earthquake hit the country, on September 7, more than 120 children who normally would go to the center to have after-school activities had to change their routines dramatically.  To support these children and their families through this difficult moment, AVSI-USA and Crecemos are launching the campaign “Jugando aprendemos” (“We learn while playing”). The main goal is to raise $34,545. With this amount, Crecemos will be able to assist 1,500 children (500 directly and 1,000 indirectly) with integrated support services including balanced and nutritious meals, and educational, recreation, artistic and cultural activities. 
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​Background: In 2012, in partnership with Fundacíon Real Madrid CESAL and thanks to the support of the private sector, Crecemos was able to begin its work in Uníon Hidalgo opening a soccer school. Alongside sports initiatives, Crecemos launched the Center for Community Development Aerogubinos that began to carry out a series of activities to give educational and nutrition support to children and young people in the community. Since 2012, the sports and educational center has supported more than 1,500 children.
About Uníon Hidalgo: Unión Hidalgo is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. According to data provided by CONEVAL (National Council on the Evaluation of the Social Development Policy) in the municipality of Uníon Hidalgo, 54.4% of the population lives in poverty.
The earthquake: The earthquake that hit Mexico on September 7 left seven  people dead and injured another 55 in Uníon Hidalgo. More than 300 families lost their houses while others are still waiting for architects to determine if their properties are safe. All that was left of the Center for Community Development Aerogubinos were a few walls, which were evaluated by engineers and are repairable. Most families are sleeping outdoors because they can still feel the aftershocks and don't know if their houses would resist another earthquake. Humanitarian aid reaching the communities has been constant but not enough, and currently there is a shortage of food, water and medicine. Since schools are closed, children spend their days at home, fearing a new earthquake. Among these children, 127 would normally go to the Center of Community Development Aerogubinos for after-school activities.
What we have done so far: To respond to this emergency, Crecemos has already distributed basic food baskets and water bottles to 280 families. The Center for Community Development Aerogubinos is already under renovation and, in the meantime, children are eating lunch at an improvised cafeteria and also take meals back home to their families.
We still need your help: To support children and their families through this difficult moment, AVSI-USA and Crecemos are launching the campaign “Jugando aprendemos” (“We learn while playing”). The main goal of this campaign is to raise $34,545. With this amount, Crecemos will be able to support 1,500 children (500 directly and 1,000 indirectly) with integrated support services including balanced and nutritious meals, and educational, recreation, artistic and cultural activities.