In 2002, half the population of Mexico was living in poverty and one fifth in extreme poverty. Approximately three quarters of those living in extreme poverty reside in rural areas with little access to electricity, water, and sanitation.
Between 2000–2002, access to drinking water increased from 38 to 58 percent, while access to sanitation services only increased from 22 to 26 percent.
The shortage of priests has greatly influenced the ability to provide sacraments to the people of rural communities. Typically these villages, often in mountainous or jungle regions, receive a visit from a priest only once a month for Mass.

Mission Groups at the Service of the Local Priest

Mission groups serve in rural villages on behalf of the parish priest. Humanitarian projects are selected according to the greatest need of a family or village. Mission work includes:

- Laying concrete for families sleeping on dirt floors.

- Fixing or replacing decaying roofs on local homes.

- Installing septic tanks within communities which will provide sanitation for up to 35 years.

- Mission groups provide a priest to assist with daily Masses, confessions, and Adoration within the communities.

- Missionaries make visits to homes inviting people to come join in the celebrations.

- Missionaries run sports activities for youth, marriage and parenting talks in Spanish for adults, and afternoon activities with children based on Catholic teachings.

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Extreme Missions 2009

Funding Priorities

	$350		Provide 1 family with a new roof
	$800		Sponsor 1 American Missionary
	$1,000		Provide 1 septic tank to a community

Amount Currently Raised: $3,050

Current Project

Building a permanent chapel and improving living conditions for 26 local families

Project Goal

or call 800-961-8153 to make a donation

Benefits

“I had an incredible, life changing experience in Mexico. Words can’t describe what I feel and how I see life, the world, and people now. I have a new commitment to God and myself to do whatever I can to help change this world with the help of Mission Youth.”

– Araceli Villanueva, Extreme Puebla missionary

Mission Youth offers young people the opportunity to step outside of themselves and make a difference.

Since the Extreme Missions began in 2001, over 40 missions have been completed with the help of hundreds of participants.

Close to 1,000 individuals have been directly impacted by projects which include building chapels, homes and fixing over 300 roofs.

Progress

In May 2008, students from Pinecrest Academy in Cumming, Georgia helped to construct two new churches in the villages of San Juan and Francisco in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Local people worked alongside the students. They all now have immense pride in their new churches.

In 2009, Mission Youth has plans to double the number of missionaries visiting Latin America during spring and summer breaks.

A group of 11 young men from the Midwest gave their all on an extreme mission for the diocese of Orizaba, Mexico.

History of Mission Youth

Mission Youth was founded in 1995 in response to Pope John Paul II’s call to the new evangelization.

In 1996, Mission Youth organized their first mission.

Since 2001, Mission Youth has organized over 40 extreme missions to Latin America with over 200 participants.

Mission Dates

Young Men’s Extreme Missions (ages 16-29)

March 3-13
Holy Week- April 3-13
June 13-23

Young Women’s Extreme Missions (ages 16-29)

March 14-21
Holy Week April 3-13
Easter Week April 11-18
June 13-23