| Mexico City, Mexico City Overview Photo Gallery Director Bio Journals: · Jun 26 2009 · Jul 05 2009 · Jul 06 2009 · Jul 07 2009 · Jul 14 2009 · Jul 14 2009 · Jul 16 2009 · Jul 21 2009 · Jul 22 2009 Trek 2009 Home |
Mexico City, Mexico
The Global Urban Trek programs in Mexico City will proceed as planned. Please follow this link if you would like more information.
In 1990, Mexico City had a population of over 15 million inhabitants, 18.5% of Mexico's total population. Currently, it "is the second most populated city in the world after Tokyo." It was built atop several lakes, where today 18-20 million "inhabitants live in a constant hustle and bustle that can be seen in the multiple activities which unfold in its streets: vehicles in perpetual motion, hordes of pedestrians, street-corner restaurants and hawkers of every sort. This scenario plays host to the poverty of many of its inhabitants, but also to the luxury and refinement of others."
Serious urban problems have accompanied its rapid growth. The high rate of air pollution is caused by industry and over 2.5 million vehicles. Housing is crowded into one room units or 3 to 4 rooms with 6 or more people living together. There is no running water for over 400,000 people in the Federal District itself. Waterborne diseases such as typhus and cholera are constant threats. In the northeastern and southeastern peripheral areas of Mexico City, 25% of its residents use firewood or coal for heating and cooking (82% in one area alone!). In 1995, an average of 550 crimes were reported daily in the Federal district, a 25% increase since 1994. According to Operation World, over seven million of the 18 million poor in Mexico City "live in squalid squatter housing in desperate economic conditions," including lack of basic services such as water, electricity, drainage, and paved streets. Street children are exceedingly numerous.
Even with all its urban challenges, it is a city full of rich cultural heritage and an enormous sprawl of places to know and visit. Some of the sites include the display of art and paintings in the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts) constructed in 1934 and El Zocalo, or the city square, where the National Palace, which houses the government offices of Mexico, is situated. In Xochimilco, visitors can take a boat ride in a painted "trajinera" (small boat) through a beautiful landscape of trees and flowers. The National Museum of Anthropology, a world famous collection of pre-Columbian art, takes at least two days to see. A museum and ruins of the most sacred site of the Aztec empire and other artifacts can be seen at Templo Mayor. There are also numerous malls, shops, and restaurants which line the busy streets of the city.
[Info souurces: Pick, Butler, 1997; USA Today , May 1998; the internet; Oberai, 1993]
Ministries:
Some of the ministry organizations we work with are Amextra, World Vision, and Armonia. Students will split into groups of 2-4 along with a staff leader and, depending on site placement, will either live with a host family or stay on-site at the ministry center. Each ministry organization will devote time to explaining their vision, values, and biblical foundations for holistic ministry. Students will serve as English tutors and teachers for children 6-16 years old, though the age range may vary. There may also be the opportunity to tutor other subjects, depending on one's level of Spanish. Some sites may run neighborhood summer camps where students will serve as small group leaders and mentor high school students. Depending on need, there may also be some painting and cleaning at the ministry centers.
At the hosting ministry's discretion, students may have the opportunity to make house visits along with the hosts to neighbors in need of food or prayer. Actual service will depend on the needs of the ministries students are serving with; therefore, students are expected to be flexible and adapt as necessary.
The emphasis will be for the students to learn the meaning of incarnational ministry. Students with a heart for those on the margins of society around the world will have the opportunity to experience this work and discern God's call for future ministry in this area. In addition to the placements with the ministry organizations, there will be time for the team to get together and debrief their experiences and see a few sites.
Safety in Mexico City
- Security Letter from Associate Director of Missions.
- Security Letter from Partnering Organization in Mexico City
- Security Letter from Another Partnering Organization in Mexico City
Print
Email
