We are very happy to announce our next project launch during the week of May 18th!  These kids are from La Cruz Vieja, in the Municipality of Tlajomulco de Zuniga in the State of Jalisco.  Though this area is not far outside of Guadalajara, they are off the beaten path.  Dr. Francisco Rico (the head of UAG’s PMC Program), and Laura Libman (Tia’s President), recently spoke to residents and officials, who are excited to begin.

Check back soon for more details and photos from the launch!

Make your voice heard and vote for Tia in the People’s Choice Poll (Be More Humble)!  The organization who gets the most votes, wins the People’s Choice, so encourage your friends and family to vote too.  The winning organizations receive a cash award and lots of much needed exposure through Channel 8.  Voting closes on March 31st, so  Vote here now!

We love the “feel good” aspect of our work, but our true success is demonstrated by our results.  We conduct a baseline data study before we begin a project and then conduct a follow up study at 3 months, 6 months and then annually.  These studies allow us to track our progress and provide actual metrics.  Here are a few examples of those measurable results:

• Increase of blood pressure checks from once or twice annually to once a week for villagers suffering from high blood pressure or diabetes, the two most common chronic diseases where we work
• Increase from 0% to 52% the number of villagers who are brushing their teeth at least daily (twice daily for 50% of the children) and who are washing their hands before handling food or after using the bathroom
• Increased from 0% to 76% the number of households who have participated in our village education programs on nutrition, sanitation, and other important health topics

In addition to the very significant behavior changes detailed above, we are also proud of some of our other numbers:

• Over 30,000 rural Mexicans now have access to health care, delivered by our 98 Community Health Workers (Promotoras)
• Through Tia’s partnership with Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara’s (UAG) Programa de Medicina en la Comunidad (Community Medicine Program), thousands of villagers have received direct care from UAG’s medical students and faculty
• The Tia Foundation is able to provide our services at a cost of less than $5 per person, for a permanent, sustainable program

The Tia Foundation is in the running for the Be More Knowledgeable Award in Eight’s Be More Awards!  The awards are sponsored by Arizona’s PBS Station for non-profit organizations who demonstrate their achievements and accomplishments in one of five award categories.

Make your voice heard and vote for Tia in the People’s Choice Poll (Be More Humble)!  The organization who gets the most votes, wins the People’s Choice, so encourage your friends and family to vote too.  The winning organizations receive a cash award and lots of much needed exposure through Channel 8.  Voting closes on March 31st, so  Vote here now!

The five award different categories include marketing initiatives (Be More Informed), exceptional educational outreach (Be More Knowledgeable), exceptional arts and culture outreach (Be More Creative), innovative organization endeavors (Be More Brilliant), and extraordinary fundraising and event efforts (Be More Entertaining).

Tia celebrated its 3rd anniversary of incorporation on January 17th!  We didn’t have a chance to celebrate though; we are too busy getting ready for our exciting, new spring projects.

Amazing things are happening in our villages since we started:

• The Community Health Workers (Promotoras) are organizing themselves and their fellow community members to address other aspects of their life that need improvement and setting target goals
• Promotoras assist the doctor at their monthly visits to the local clinic, conducting triage, taking patient histories, and performing procedures
• Over 30,000 people now have access to medical care at a cost of less than $5 per person
• Children are receiving much need health education, ensuring the next generation will enjoy a better quality of life
• 98 women, who lacked self-confidence and respect prior to becoming Promotoras, have now become  community leaders with dignity

What Tia has accomplished in the last three years would not have been possible without our fantastic donors, volunteers, interns, Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara’s Community Medicine Program, and the villagers themselves.  Thank you!  You deserve to celebrate too!