The state of Chiapas is one of the poorest in Mexico, and earlier this year, MEXFAM opened a new clinic and started its Gente Joven (young people) program there, both in rural and urban areas.

From 19th September to 1st October, Ryoko Nishida, Director, and Kaori Miyachi, Assistant Program Officer, International Program, JOICFP, visited Mexico to discuss and plan a new UNFPA-funded Latin America and Caribbean Regional Project "Expansion of Quality Adolescent SRH Information and Services Adequate for Underserved Young People" (RLA5R205), and to observe MEXFAM activities in the field in the state of Chiapas.

The new MEXFAM clinic in Cintalapa, Chiapas

A doctor trained under the Gente Joven program
delivers education for secondary school students
on HIV/AIDS

Some of the thirty volunteer youth promoters,
15 for rural areas and 15 for urban areas,
who receive training under Gente Joven

A class on sexual and reproductive health (SRH),
assisted by teachers trained under Gente Joven.
Many people in Chiapas speak
indigenous Western Mayan languages instead of Spanish.

This DJ, a youth promoter of Gente Joven,
organized talks about SRH at this community event...

...and organized this game to raise awareness
on SRH for people in the community

The Gente Joven Youth Committee comprises 12 young men and women from the ages of 15 to 24, and from other organizations. Four of the committee sit on the MEXFAM Administration Council. MEXFAM has 21 rural clinics operating the Gente Joven program, and in Cintalapa 20 out of 100 communities are covered with Gente Joven.

MEXFAM is now celebrating its 40th year, and they have been working with young people for 20 years. Youth volunteers deal with all areas of youth programs, including advocacy and networking.

In a MEXFAM clinic in Mexico City,
health promotional material
produced by youth volunteers

MEXFAM developed this stylish roll-up
"Contraceptive Kit Bag"
based on youth promoters' requests
for young people's use