Awaken City Church, what a tremendous impact you’re having on the Tzotzil people of Chiapas, Mexico! Your gift continues to strengthen vulnerable mothers and babies. We join Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana Puerto del Cielo and grateful families in thanking you for your generous heart and vision to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
Pictured above: Survival Specialists teach mothers massage techniques to relax their babies and enhance their mutual bond.
Life Challenges Among the Tzotzil
Chiapas is Mexico’s poorest state, with more than 76% of the population — primarily Indigenous — living in poverty. In Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana Puerta del Cielo’s rural community, farming is the sole work opportunity available. The meager agricultural yield leaves women and young children particularly vulnerable to crippling and potentially deadly malnutrition, anemia, diarrhea, and respiratory diseases.
The Indigenous Tzotzil community speaks a Mayan dialect as their primary language. Educational opportunities are minimal for this marginalized community. The local primary school lacks adequate infrastructure, and many children drop out early.
Remote and without public transportation, the village is two hours from the nearest hospital, and the lack of internet access prevents online health care. Although there is a local health clinic, it is open just three days a week and does not have a doctor or adequate medical supplies.
Insufficient prenatal and postnatal health care explains in part why the maternal mortality rate in Chiapas is 10 times that of all of Mexico and the infant mortality rate three times as high. The Indigenous population of Chiapas also has the second-highest teen pregnancy rate in Mexico.
With so many economic challenges in this impoverished community, few couples can afford their own homes. They live with their extended families in small crowded houses. Many adults migrate to larger cities and leave their children with their parents, who cannot adequately care for or feed the children, which places an untenable burden on the family.
Through the local church, you and Compassion are establishing and supporting holistic family and community health. Prenatal and postnatal care, health education, nutrition support, life and income-generating skills and spiritual care are changing the trajectory of babies’ and mothers’ lives.
Ministry Progress at Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana Puerta del Cielo
July 2023 – March 2024
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19 babies
and mothers
were served
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1 baby was
born and had a
healthy birth
weight
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7 babies
transitioned
to the Child
Sponsorship
Program
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5 mothers
received
prenatal
care
Recent Survival Activities
Monthly Survival activities at the center equip mothers and babies with health and nutrition support, developmental skills, spiritual nurture and social interaction. Every monthly activity emphasizes God’s Word and his desire to bless and strengthen families. Survival Specialists follow up with home visits to reinforce lessons, answer questions and encourage mothers emotionally and spiritually.
Moms develop new skills and confidence as they learn to make and sell decorative bags. One mother is already selling her bags with great results.
Following a health checkup for moms and babies at the center, mothers receive medicines including dewormers, vitamins and cold medicine.
Caregivers participate in a day filled with games, a devotional and prayer, snacks, and ample time for moms to connect and build supportive friendships.
Celebrating First Birthdays
Children born to parents living in poverty are at a higher risk of a low birth weight, and they face a lower chance of survival in the first year of life. Your gift to the Survival program provides essential care to newborns, ensuring they survive and thrive from when they are in the womb until their first birthday when they transition from Survival to Compassion’s Child Sponsorship Program. Your support is helping these babies reach critical developmental milestones, allowing them to grow into healthy children. Join us in celebrating this significant first birthday milestone!
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Ana and
her mother
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Carlos and
his mother
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David and
his mother
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Dominga and
her mother
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Edwin and
his mother
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Suri and
her mother
Survival Program Spotlight: Home Visits
Compassion Survival Specialists play a vital role in reinforcing program content so participants can begin integrating their new skills and knowledge into their daily lives. Through monthly visits, Survival Specialists offer emotional and social support for both the mother and the child. The one-on-one time allows for more individualized attention and provides an extra measure of personal connection and accountability. During these visits, the specialists check the home environment for any risks or dangers. They offer additional training in any areas the mothers may need, including breastfeeding best practices and parenting skills review. They also lead the mothers through Bible studies, encouraging church attendance and involvement. They end their time by praying with and for these moms, always inviting the Lord into this time and always pointing them toward a deeper relationship with him.
With Gratitude
Awaken City Church, thank you for reaching deep into a marginalized Indigenous community to rescue vulnerable babies and mothers from early death and crippling disease. Your generosity has ensured 19 moms and babies have the holistic, Christ-centered care so important to their health and development. May God bless you as you have blessed others!