NGO and NonProfit: Mexfam: Mexfam Oaxaca

Oaxaca is one of the most remote feeling regions in Mexico. With a fierce history of independence and insurrection it feels only tangentially a part of the larger country. Ten hours from the Gautamalan border, where indigenous indian languages are more commonly spoken and understood than Spanish, I am still trying to get my bearings as Bertice "Betty" Ramos revs the rickety Mexfam van, drops it into gear and takes off down a dusty road in Juchitan, one of the many underserved areas in Oaxaca where the Mexican Family Planning Foundation, Mexfam, is working. Mexfam is trying to combat unwanted teenage pregnancy, and educate area youth about gender equality, sexual and reproductive health rights, and contraception, by training teens as peer health promoters. These health promoters then go out into the community to engage and educate their peers. Within the next year, Mexfam is seeking to reach out to 3,000 youth in this region with their message of safe sex and family planning. It's a tall order, in a difficult place, with few resources and it rests squarely on Betty, Mexfam Manager, Umberto, the Youth Coordinator, and thirty five adolescent peer health promoters that comprise Mexfam's "Gente Joven" Youth Program in Oaxaca, to do it. To a person, they exuded confidence that they were ready to meet this challenge. We drove off, Betty, a couple of the promoters and me, the van gaining speed...