Mexico: A new home for girls and young women
“Ipoderac is a place where I can be safe from many bad things,” says Elisabeth. The 14-year-old is happy to have finally found safety and security. She has been living in the children's and youth home in Atlixco, near the city of Puebla, since the middle of last year.
The project provides a new home for 72 girls and young women. Most are reluctant to talk about where they come from and what they have experienced. Many have suffered sexual violence, had to leave their families, lived on the streets, or are orphans. At Ipoderac, they can overcome their difficult past and create a future for themselves.
Your support for strong children!
"Ipoderac means home to me."
Schooling and vocational training are prerequisites for this. Ipoderac cooperates with nine schools in the municipality. Some of the girls who arrive at the home can start directly at a regular school. However, there are always children and young people who have a lot of catching up to do or need a lot of support to cope in class. The young people help each other and meet regularly for discussion groups to share their successes and difficulties. They work through their often deep-seated traumas together with trained professionals in group and individual sessions.
Ipoderac, supported by the Volkswagen Employee Foundation, aims to empower young women to become independent later in life. They participate in application training and receive career counseling and support in their job search. They can also complete vocational training directly on the premises: the project's own dairy, carpentry workshop, and small soap factory offer numerous work and further training opportunities. It's important that the young people
decide for themselves what they want to do. Those who don't find anything suitable here can also look for an apprenticeship at a company in Atlixco. "I've found a home here and a space where I can think about my future," says Elisabeth. "Here I have many things I didn't have before. This is a very beautiful place that gives me the opportunity to study and, above all, to live. I feel happy here."