Sercade

Photo of the opening of the new medical dispensary run by Sercade in the Mixteca region of Oaxaca

Sercade-Mexico, a Franciscan Capuchin service organization reached out to TASH with what they imagined would require a miracle. Could we support them to build their own medical dispensary on-site in Chalcatongo? Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of you all, the Board of Directors approved 100% of their request that would cover 40% of the total project cost. Sercade then set out to secure the difference with local and international donations.

As TASH’s Director, on-the-ground in Oaxaca, I had played witness to this type of additional help before, with TASH willing to go the extra mile to meet emergent and extraordinary needs. And I can tell you that after traveling seven hours on rain-affected curvy and bumpy roads, going the extra mile is saying something! However, it valió la pena y mucho (was worth every bit of effort). Sercade serves 40 rural villages in the Mixteca region of Oaxaca. They operate health, education, and cultural programs where few people would go. They are led by an amazing young man, Friar Justino (pictured in the red jacket in the photos to the left), who has been in Chalcatongo for the past four years. He shared with me, “I should wear my brown robe, even to bed. But I just must run around and climb stairs, and my habit limits me from that standpoint.” Having known him for three-plus years, I can testify that he is a human Energizer Bunny.

On to the inauguration event, where they normally would have celebrated with more than 1,000 villagers who will benefit from this project. Sercade will be able to add eyecare and cardiology specialty projects to their general medical and dental practice.

Finally, I was blown away by the musical interpretation of a young girl who sang a popular Mixtecan song. Sercade has recognized the cultural identity of the people and how that can reinforce their ministry and service projects. I would conclude by recognizing Fr. Scott’s vision for seeing need beyond borders. It started and continues with La Clinica del Pueblo on the outskirts of Oaxaca City, but has extended into the villages in the Mixteca, Mixe, and Sierra Juarez regions of Mexico. It truly is Health and Humanity without Borders. With your support, we will continue to go the extra mile to carry out our mission, in service of our brothers and sisters.

We hope you will take a moment to enjoy the video slideshow below by photograph Roque Reyes of the inauguration day.

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Brenda's Story

Brenda Marcos Juárez, a young mother who needed emergency assistance. (Click to learn more)

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Gaby's Work

Program Manager of Simply Smiles, an orphanage located in Vicente Guerrero, Oaxaca. (Click to learn more)

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Yuri's Story

As a single mother, Yuri was forced to drop out of school and find work. At that time, she was participating in one of TASH's nonprofit partners, Puente's workshops on amaranth and nutrition for young mothers and children. Puente then offered her a scholarship and training to work in their retail sales outlet. Just when it appeared that she had finally found some financial stability, she fell ill. (Click to learn more)

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Liz's Story

Liz knew she needed to find additional work to support her family. Skip forward four years. Liz was now providing for her family, but then started to lose her vision. (Click to learn more)

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Florencia's Story

In 2017, Florencia started to have symptoms of an unknown health issue. A niece, who had heard of La Clinica del Pueblo, helped her go there for an assessment and eventually she was hospitalized in December of 2018. Her husband stayed by her side the whole time, where over five days she was treated for internal bleeding. The cost of the stay would have been nearly $600 USD, but they only paid 25%. (Click to learn more)

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St. Cecilia's Work

St. Cecilia’s Ministry started as a community-based project that seeks to support at-risk youth in Vicente Guerrero an impoverished neighborhood, in San Bartolo Coyotopec, Oaxaca. (Click to learn more)

An elderly woman in a mask lies in a hospital bed

Juventina's Story

Even with the mask on, Juventina's hopeful spirit radiated during the conversation. She said that she was having a knee replacement because she could no longer handle the pain. She needed to manage the family farm of corn, beans, and squash. In addition, she raised chickens, turkeys, and other farm animals. (Click to read more)

Photo of the opening of the new medical dispensary run by Sercade in the Mixteca region of Oaxaca

Secarde's Work

Sercade serves 40 rural villages in the Mixteca region of Oaxaca. They operate health, education, and cultural programs where few people would go. (Click to learn more)

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Dra. Marissa's Story

Dra. Marissabel Casas Marroquín (Dra. Marissa), born in 1983, is a medically trained doctor from Mexico City who spent eight years working in some of the most remote villages in southern Mexico, in the state of Chiapas. Oaxaca and Chiapas are #1 and #2 in being the Mexican states with the least access to health care.

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