What we do

Do we really make a difference?

The invisible reality behind this partnership is the hope that is nourished because of your incredible support. With hope, one is more willing to work for change; with hope, one is more willing to sacrifice for the well being of family and others. Mission Mexico is hope- and life-giving in so many different ways.

Thank you, good people in the Diocese of Calgary, for sharing with the impoverished indigenous people here in the mountains of Mexico.

Do we really make a difference?

Thank you, good people in the Diocese of Calgary, for sharing with the impoverished indigenous people here in the mountains of Mexico.

Endorsements & Testimonials

Potoichan
High School Students

Samuel Flores Busto

Thanks to you who serve the poor, those like me who have the opportunity to study in this school will be able to follow a better path.

Raquel Gonzales

We would like to continue studying until we finish a career so that we can assist other people who suffer a lot, because God is happy when we help other people who have nothing.

Mike MacDonald,
On-site Coordinator

The invisible reality behind this partnership is the hope that is nourished because of your incredible support. With hope, one is more willing to work for change; with hope, one is more willing to sacrifice for the well-being of family and others. Mission Mexico is hope- and life-giving in so many different ways.

Thank you, good people in the Diocese of Calgary, for sharing with the impoverished indigenous people here in the mountains of Mexico. The struggle for life continues; the challenges of historical marginalization, human rights abuse and injustice still cry out. Know that you have many friends here.

God bless always,

Mike MacDonald

John Paul,
House-building Coordinator

Imagine that you are a mother living in a house that is little more than scrap lumber and pallets piled together. A cold breeze blows in through holes in the wall. The dirt floor is muddy from the leaking roof. This is the way the whole neighbourhood is. You despair for your children’s future.

Now a stranger is calling to you outside your door. He has a key in his hand and he directs you to a new house. It is simple, not much more than a big tool shed, but it has a dry concrete floor, a roof that does not leak, windows with real glass, and a door that will lock out all the fears and the roaming gangs and violence of the night. He hands you this key and you realize this house is yours…. She looks down at the small child in her arms, and a flicker of hope exists. That flicker of hope is exactly what Mission Mexico is all about.

The Church is God's family in the world and no member should suffer through being in need. Sometimes the only thing to do is to love.

Bishop Emeritus Frederick Henry

OUR CURRENT PROJECTS

Bursaries

For the last 13 years, Mission Mexico has provided bursaries to underprivileged students in Tlapa and surrounding areas. Today, as a result of Mission Mexico’s support more than 50 students have graduated university. In 2020, Mission Mexico has continued this important work, providing bursaries for 40 students for them to continue advancing their education. The total budget for this is approximately $48,000 Canadian, a fraction of what it would cost to send 40 students to University in Canada. A little can go a long way.

The 40 students that were supported this year had already been supported in their studies from prior years. Unfortunately, we were unable to take on new applications. Mission Mexico received a total 36 new requests for bursaries in 2020 which we hope to be able to provide in the future and continue to grow our support for students.

Champagnat High School

Mission Mexico is also proud to support the Champagnat High School of the Mountain in Potoichan run by the Marist Brothers. The Marist Brothers, is a religious order founded in France two hundred years ago by St. Marcellin Champagnat. The main focus of this religious institute is the education of young people, especially the most neglected. Few of the 700 towns and villages of the Diocese of Tlapa have a high school, so this residential school is a wonderful opportunity for the impoverished indigenous youth who want higher education.

The Champagnat High School of the Mountain began in the year 2004, when Leslie Davies, now a school principal in Calgary, was Mission Mexico’s on-site coordinator in the mountains of Mexico. Mission Mexico initially helped to construct the high school, and since then it has assisted annually in helping to pay teachers’ salaries and room and board for the live-in students.

In 2020, Mission Mexico had budgeted $34,000 to be donated to the Champagnat High School. Unfortunately due to the COVID Pandemic, Mission Mexico was only able to provide the school with $19,000 Canadian. Every dollar counts and we hope to be able to increase our support again next year for the great work done at the High School.

Tlachinollan Human Rights Center

Each year, Mission Mexico provides assistance to the Tlachinollan Human Rights Center of the Mountain by assisting victims of human rights abuses and persons in vulnerable situations.

As a diocesan non-governmental human rights organization, Tlachinollan has, since 1994, been systematically documenting cases of human rights violations and providing legal counsel and defense, as well as working on education and the diffusion of human rights among the indigenous peoples of the Mountain of Guerrero.

In 2020, Mission Mexico provided $4,000 to continue to support the vulnerable people who seek assistance from the Tlachinollan Human Rights Center. Mission Mexico had aspired to provide $8,000 in 2020 for this great cause and we hope to increase our support in 2021.

La Estacion -
Kindergarten

The “Rincon Infantil Maria Ines” Kindergarten in Cuernavaca, Mexico provides education and breakfast to more than 100 children in a very poor area called La Estación. Mission Mexico helps provide support for 4 teachers and breakfasts for the children attending the Kindergarten.

In 2020, Mission Mexico was able to donate $4,700 to continue to support the Kindergarten.

Xalpitzahuac -
Health Project

The Xalpitzahuac Health Project assists people from the region of Xalpitzahuac — one of the Mountain’s coldest and poorest areas — with medical costs and travel to hospitals in case of dire need.

In 2020, Mission Mexico provided $2,900 Canadian for the Health Project and the people of Xalpitzahuac are extremely grateful. A young couple who both studied at the Champagnat High School of the Mountain and who both later became teachers with bursaries provided by Mission Mexico now administer this health program.

Eligible charitable donations of at least $20 to Mission Mexico are entitled to an official tax receipt.

Charitable Registration Number: 10790-9939-RR0076

Mission Mexico

Mission Mexico is an outreach ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary.

Bursaries

Champagnat High School

Tlachinollan Human Rights Center

La Estacion - Kindergarten

Xalpitzahuac - Health Project

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La Estacion -
Kindergarten

Xalpitzahuac -
Health Project