Description and Impact

According to the 2000 census, Oaxaca is the second-poorest state in Mexico. The average person in Oaxaca earns less than $5.00. In order to target this poverty issue, a scheme called Oportunidades began in 2002 to provide cash payments to families who regularly attend health clinics. ProWorld Mexico works with health clinics that run under the Oportunidades scheme and therefore offer healthcare to some of Oaxaca’s poorest citizens. The health clinics offer primary medical care (like that of a family doctor), plus the services of a dentist and a psychologist as well as regularly public health presentations and workshops. More specialist cases, surgeries and people with very serious illnesses are referred to the larger specialist hospitals in the city center.

What is the overall goal of the project? The goal of the clinics is to provide easily accessible and free healthcare (including medicines) to the communities that they serve. Through public health workshops they aim to promote preventative healthcare and to inform the community members about the benefits of healthy lifestyles. 

What's Included

• Homestay with a carefully-screened Mexican family
• Daily meals (you will receive three meals a day)
• Project funding and support 
• Spanish language classes
• Onsite transportation, airport pickup and drop off Health and travel insurance
• Cultural and adventure excursions
• 24-hour support from ProWorld Mexcio staff 
• Access to Casa ProWorld Mexico – unlimited filtered water, wireless internet

What's Not Included

• Airfare, Visa and Airport Tax (if applicable)