Update on Our Friends at IPODERAC

Much has happened since the summer of 2018 when 19 Montview members and friends visited IPODERAC, a long-standing Montview global mission partner in Mexico. The 2018 travelers visited the construction site for the new girls’ center, known as IPODERAC Para Niñas. Today this campus houses 23 girls, ages 3-17, who have experienced violence, abandonment, sexual exploitation, poverty and homelessness. Several girls arrived with their sisters and a few have brothers currently living at IPODERAC’s original campus. Three of the six planned girls’ homes are completed, but construction was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

IPODERAC responded quickly to the pandemic. There are no cases at either IPODERAC campus due to the immediate implementation of preventative measures, including locking down the campuses to non-essential visitors and requiring the youth to shelter-in-place. Robust hygiene practices were implemented, and designated isolation spaces were created for any infected youth or staff if needed. Staff has added extra programs and exercises to help the children manage their energy and the emotions and anxiety they are feeling.

IPODERAC’s most urgent problem is a significant loss of income. Much of the operational costs are met through the production and sale of artisan goat cheese that is sold to hotels and restaurants throughout Mexico. Due to restaurant closings and restricted travel in Mexico, IPODERAC has lost approximately 95% of its cheese sales, significantly impacting its ability to cover operational expenses, including food and staff salaries. If you would like to make a donation to help IPODERAC during this challenging time, you can do so here. Plans for a Montview trip to IPODERAC will be revisited in 2021. Montview’s contacts for IPODERAC are Mary Buckley (marybuckleymgb@gmail.com) and Jim Polsfut (JPolsfut@nashosp.com).