We are excited to announce the addition of San Isidro de la Cañada de la Virgen to our food extension programs. These programs were developed to help extremely poor communities where the need is great, yet they do not benefit from having a Feed the Hungry school kitchen.
Through collaboration with the local municipality and dedicated community leaders, we have identified and qualified three such communities to benefit from two of our programs: the Early Childhood Nutrition program and the Food Extension program. The other two are the communities of Los Toriles and El Saucillo.
As the local school in San Isidro de la Cañada de la Virgen operates part-time, implementing our School Meals program has posed some challenges. Nevertheless, we are committed to providing assistance and support to this remote community of 83 inhabitants. According to the 2020 Census, the average level of schooling is just 5 years, and 19% of the adults are illiterate. Only one-third of the homes have piped water.
Situated approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away from our distribution center and at more than 2,000 meters above sea-level, San Isidro de la Cañada de la Virgen receives a range of services from our organization. We conduct Nutrition Education workshops specifically tailored for young mothers and their babies, ensuring that they receive the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their nutrition. In addition, we provide monthly food bags to each family, enabling them to prepare nutritious meals in the comfort of their own homes.
By extending our reach to San Isidro de la Cañada de la Virgen, we aim to create a stronger and healthier local community. Through these programs, we hope to empower children and their families with the resources and education necessary for a better future.