Oaxaca Update June 23:
Dear friends, as you know Oaxaca has been hit very hard in 2020. Your help and continued support is most appreciated. In recent weeks, not only has the pandemic and economic crisis worsened, but there has been a major fire at the Abastos Market (a major commerce center in the city), and now, an earthquake has hit the city doing significant damage.
Regarding Covid-19, the latest reports are that it has been spreading very quickly.
Oaxaca State:
Total confirmed active cases last two weeks: 4,426
Confirmed deaths: 510.
Central Valleys only: (Oaxaca City and surrounding municipalities)
Confirmed active cases last two weeks: 3,100
Confirmed deaths: 300
Oaxaca remains classified as a “Red” zone by the government with very limited commerce and many restrictions in place. At Oaxaca Streetchildren Grassroots/Centro de Esperanza Infantil we remain frustrated as we have needed to keep our offices closed for the safety of our staff and families. We know the families are suffering and we plan to roll out the strongest possible response when the doors open. Our staff are working from home accomplishing as much as the situation currently permits. When possible, interviews and home studies are done by phone as we prepare to add about 25 additional students to our program when school starts. We hope to re-open within the next two weeks, however everything remains fluid due to Covid-19 As soon as we open we will provide as much help as possible to our children and their families as we work through this crisis situation.
We ask that you keep the people of Oaxaca in your thoughts. As mentioned in previous updates, my great fear is that the current combinations of difficult, dangerous, and stressful events will set back the improvement in the standard of living for our families by many years. I remember 20 year ago when our families lived in the most extreme poverty- dirt floors, no sanitation, food scarcity, parasites, other illnesses, high infant mortality, etc. With your help we have changed that paradigm for the better and plan to continue to do so. Please donate here as we respond to the pandemic and other challenges to help our families, and assist as many deserving children as possible in attending and succeeding in school. Thank you!
Dave Slaymaker, OSCGR President
