PROYECTO FARO
A catalyst for change
Whilst the Misión México Foundation through our Misión México Casa has always cared for and given opportunities to the youth directly in our care, the COVID-19 global pandemic and the closure of México’s schools highlighted the difficult situations and the lack of opportunities and support that faced many Mexican youth. local youth from our community spoke of needing guidance and support, of a safe place that they could feel they belonged. They spoke of struggling with mental health and their holistic wellbeing, and felt their needs were invisible. This was the catalyst that led to the creation of Proyecto Faro.
Distinct communities, common needs
Across Southern Mexico, in which Misión México Foundation is based, there are many distinct communities, but the needs of youth in these communities are often the same. Thousands of students are out of school and youth unemployment is rising. Here in Chiapas, these factors are amplified as the state has the lowest Human Development Index rate in the country. One in ten youth are neither working or studying. Opportunities for employment in Tapachula are limited, and opportunities to learn skills to increase employment are lacking and expensive. Many parents themselves are also struggling financially and are often unable to orientate or guide their children through adolescence.
Our 2021 Pilot
In 2021 we launched a pilot of Proyecto Faro, operating as a community outreach centre in the heart of Tapachula.
We transformed the behaviours, attitudes, and skills of young men, motivating them to become agents of positive change within their families and communities. We did this through providing positive experiences and opportunities to learn English, cooking, and wellbeing techniques at no cost to the participants. This allowed them to practice positive masculinity; ultimately helping these young men lead happier, healthier lives.
All our participants improved their English levels, improved their level of wellbeing, including their skills in cooking and improved their opinions and approaches to masculinity.
2022 and beyond
After seeing the positive results of our 2021 pilot, we plan to expand Proyecto Faro to allow even more youth to access the opportunities and experiences our program provides.
From August 2022 Faro began its expansion from a single outreach center, to a broad community development program, based out of three different centers located in three different areas of need. We have begun to expand our reach, working with youth across genders and ages, providing a wider range of positive experiences and opportunities at no cost to the community youth.
All of this will work together to transform the behaviors, attitudes and skills of the youth with whom we work, encouraging them to become agents of change on both a micro and macro level, whilst maintaining our core focus on education, providing positive experiences and social and vocational skills.
Proyecto Faro, when fully expanded, will work across
three distinct communities:
Our permanent center is located in the bustling heart of Tapachula. Here we have continued to deliver our proven to be successful free English language classes, cooking and nutrition classes and different workshops on themes of wellbeing and social skills. Our Tapachula center caters to all youth ranging in genders and ages from 14-21 years old. Our Tapachula center will aim to include a vocational training program, assisting youth who are not pursuing higher education and instead offering support in securing vocational training and employment.
Located in the coastal town of Puerto Madero, our second hub will cater to both young men and women. Faro in Puerto Madero will deliver a range of free classes and workshops to high school aged students, replicating many of the opportunities youth attending our centre in Tapachula can receive, including free English language classes, different workshops and cooking and nutrition classes. We will work to cater for the needs of the local community, working and partnering with local organizations in the delivery of our programs.
The Mision Surf Hotel is our third location based in the community of Villa del Sol, an area that locals often call the 'forgotten community'. Faro at Mision Surf caters directly to the needs of the local youth, working alongside parents and local community members in the formation of our workshops and programs. We provide free swimming classes, and more relevant workshops and experiences including educational support and reading and writing classes. Villa de Sol is a young community, and to reflect this, our classes at Mision Surf cater to all genders ranging from ages 8-15 years old, complementing our high-school aged offering in the neighboring community of Puerto Madero.
Tapachula
Puerto Madero
Villa Del Sol
BECOME A CORE MEMBER
Proyecto Faro exists to provide education, life skills and personal development completely free of charge to our wider communities. This is made possible by our Core Community who support our monthly programs, ensuring the gift of opportunity is given to all.
From as little as £20 a month, will you become our newest member?