The United States' neighbor to the south, Mexico, has the world's 12th largest economy, but great income disparity exists. More than half of its citizens live in poverty, and Mexican children and youth face many challenges, including underemployment, illiteracy, abuse and crime.

Indigenous populations in southern Mexico are even poorer, with 80 percent of indigenous children living in households below the poverty line. They lack reliable access to health care, good nutrition, clean water, and other necessities, which hold children back from reaching their potential.

ChildFund has served children in Mexico since 1948.