A Little Bit of History

The work of Caminando Unidos began 13 years ago as a community project. One of the objectives was to solidify a relationship with people from marginalized urban communities who had been displaced to living in unregulated areas of Cuernavaca. These communities have sprung up alongside train tracks and previously vacant areas along the periphery of the city. The project began with a process of social networking and community organization, allowing us to learn about the real necessities of the communities. The area of concern was, and is, education of young children, adolescents, and young adults who do not have official documentation of citizenship and therefore have not been able to receive public education services.

Many of these children and young adults are growing up in environments surrounded by violence, addictions, and sexual violations and promiscuity. From a very young age, they join the informal economy working on the streets and finding temporary work such as construction, painting, gardening and domestic house work. Many of these children are exploited for their work, not receiving adequate pay, safe working conditions, or any job security. Our work is fueled by our firm belief that all children have a right to live with dignity and participate individually in our society. Our programs are designed to serve this end by addressing the needs mentioned above.

Our objective for each child is that by the time they are young adults, they will have the capacity to enter some type of job market. For many of them this means entering the labor market educated with a particular skill. Integrated into our education program are workshops where students are able to learn a trade that will give them opportunities for a better life.