The Sexto Sol Center for Community Action contributes to the elimination of poverty and the restoration of the damaged environment by promoting cooperative enterprise, environmentally sound agriculture, appropriate technology and conservation. We work in the Sierra Madre region of Chiapas, Mexico and with repatriated refugee communities in Guatemala.

On a planet with abundant life, water and resources, poverty should be viewed by everyone as an aberration. But as you well know, human beings have yet to figure out how to live in a way that affords every member of the human family with the necessities for a healthful life. Therefore most people accept the existence of poverty, of the loss of 35,000 children to starvation every day, as "normal."

The Sexto Sol Center holds firmly to the belief that it is possible to create a sustainable world in which all people live with dignity and enjoy good health in harmony with nature. So help us get going toward this better vision! It starts with imagining a better future for our world in which all Earth's creatures live in harmonious relationship with each other in a benevolent universe. We are the solution.

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
-- Howard Thurman

SPRING 2008: IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIGENOUS CHILDREN: A long term response to the root causes of immigration In an impoverished region such as the Sierra Madre, people immigrate in search of work when they feel that there is no other opportunity to keep their families fed, earn money to build a house or start a business. Behind every immigrant working illegally in the U.S., there is a story of heartache; from the sacrifice of being separated from loved ones so far away and that of children who long for the warmth of an absent father or mother. The Sexto Sol Center has always sought to give people the tools they need to build a better life at home so that they would not have to immigrate. This keeps families in tact, giving children a better chance of developing in a healthy way. But in January, 2008, an abnormally strong gale force windstorm hit the Soconusco coastal area and the Sierra Madre of Chiapas. In just two days of wind, tens of thousands of small-scale coffee farmers lost an entire year's earnings. Businesses are feeling the impact as the usual surge in sales after the coffee harvest has not happened. This is especially hard on people still trying to recover from the losses from Hurricane Stan. It is times like these when people look to finding work in the U.S. as their only hope to sustain their family. Education is one of the best ways to help people create more prosperous lives. Sexto Sol has a fund-raising campaign underway for 6 projects that will make significant improvments to 8 schools. Together, projects will benefit over 800 children in the Sierra Madre and in Nuevo Bullaj community in Guatemala. These schools suffer inadequate support under the separate system for indigneous education. The Sexto Sol Center advocates for the right of all children to receive a quality education that honors the history and culture of their community. Building on past work to provide books and more, Sexto Sol has developed the projects to improve the schools in consultation with teachers and parents. We will work with them so that these young people will not one day face the difficult choice of leaving family and country just for the chance to work but instead will be prepared to create their own opportunities. click to learn more… We can't change the weather, but we can help children become better prepared for the future by making significant improvements to these schools. We need your help to make this possible. Join with us in this effort to attack the root causes of poverty and immigration by making a tax-deductible contribution.

OUR WORK IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH THE SUPPORT OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU!

Help create sustainable communities Help cooperatives achieve success To make a secure online contribution click on the coffee bean.

Here's a great way to help the Sexto Sol Center Buy your books, CDs and more from Amazon.com through this link and Sexto Sol will earn a commission. There is no cost to you. Save to favorites to use for all your purchases. Every time you buy, you help fund projects for the people of the Sierra Madre. Tell your friends. SHOP AT AMAZON.COM

Now you can enjoy gourmet coffee from Higher Grounds Trading Company and support Sexto Sol’s work with every pound you buy! Each time you purchase Higher Grounds will contribute to The Sexto Sol Center. Higher Grounds Trading Company does business in a way that insures farmers recieve a fair price while protecting rainforests. Choose from the extensive selection of handcrafted coffees and recieve a 10% discount for supporting Sexto Sol. Click for more information Click to go directly to Higher Grounds to shop