The Children's Day Centre for Cancer Treatment is a small department of a massive medical complex called “Centro Medico”, which is run by the Mexican Social Health System (IMSS).

Centro Medico provides the best-specialized medical     treatments in the whole state. In order to receive the benefits of the Social Health System you need to be currently working and your company has to be registered in the system.

Most of the patients of the Hospital are people with low resources and who will not have a way of paying for the medical services without social assistance.

Volunteers are always needed supporting the kids going through their rehab process. This is such a great placement due to the amazing impact done by volunteers to the kids whose parents sometimes do not have the time to be with them whilst they receive their treatments.

It is a really great place where you’ll need to have loads of commitment and enthusiasm to offer to the kids that are going through a difficult health situation.

Yesterday, December the 12th was marked by the biggest catholic celebration in Mexico. The Guadalupe festivity. As you may know, the second largest catholic population lives in Mexico, just after Brazil.

According to tradition, Juan Diego a simple indigenous peasant, saw a vision of a young woman on December 9, 1531, while he was on the hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City, Mexico. He told the local bishop, who asked for some proof. Three days later, according to legend, the image of Mary appeared miraculously on his cloak when he was showing it to the bishop. Today the cloak is displayed in the Basilica de Guadalupe nearby, one of the most visited Catholic shrines in the world.

This is without any doubt one of the most important celebrations held in the country, this year nearly 6.5 million people attended this festivity so you can have an idea of how massive this is!

Guadalajara is famous for having a really active cultural life, among them           literature and performing arts. During the month of December, all eyes turn their sight into this city once again, but this time for the International Book Fair (FIL).

This festival was held in Expo Guadalajara from November the 27th to December the 5th. More than 1600 different editorial companies from all around the world gather for the largest Spanish-language book festival in the world.

This year having as special guests ' Castilla and Leon' and celebration 23 years of life. The most important people from the world of literature appear in this festival giving press conferences or just for fun. This fair is an extremely important event in the city and one of the highlights during the year.

So let's read!

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS disorders) are a group of rare genetic disorders caused by the deficiency of one of ten specific lysosomal enzymes, resulting in an inability to metabolize complex carbohydrates (mucopolysaccharides) into simpler molecules. The accumulation of these large, undegraded mucopolysaccharides in the cells of the body causes a number of physical symptoms and abnormalities.

The treatment for this disease is really expensive and some of the children affected by this illness do not live in Guadalajara, which means, extra expenses in transport.

This is the case of Brayan Ocampo, an amazing 10 year-old boy which only dream is to keep on going to treatment so this allows him to go to school, something he really loves. He lives in a town called Poncitlan, which is hour and a half away from Guadalajara. Sadly, his family do not have the money to take him to his weekly treatment.

Projects Abroad in collaboration with 'Jajax Mexico' (The Mexican Association for Mucopolysaccharidoses and rare diseases) and which president is Dr. Jesus Navarro Torres, Projects Abroad Mexico's medical placements supervisor, made an amazing donation to Brayan's family. The sponsorship for the transportation to and from the rehabilitation centre in Guadalajara for an entire year! This way, Brayan will not lose the chance to attend his treatment and school but most important, to keep alive.

Brayan and his mother Esther and Dr. Jesus Navarro were present in the Projects Abroad Office to receive the official letter confirming the donation! Projects Abroad is really happy for having had the chance to help improving a child's life!

We will be updating you about Brayan's treatment!

Ciudad Guzman had the honor to receive a new citizen this year…Mr. Alberto Carniel from Italy!

Alberto was a journalism volunteer in Ciudad Guzman, he is a really enthusiastic and active person, member of the Lions Club back in his home town. He is back in Italy and he has send us a great picture of him delivering the 'Ciudad Guzman Lions Club's flag' onto the representers of the same club in his home town Sacile, Italy.

This for sure will strengthen the relations between the club in both sides of the world. Ciudad Guzman and Sacile united by Alberto Carniel through the Lions Club!

All our best wishes to Alberto! We hope we can see you soon back in your second home..Mexico!