The Mission of our Ixaya School, is to give underprivileged and “at risk” children a globally-conscious education, emotional stability, correct nutrition and unconditional love. Ixaya means “to open one’s eyes” in the native indigenous language of Nahuatl. It is our dream that this school will assist many children in opening their eyes to world of opportunity and growth through quality alternative educational and creativity.

Mexican public schools are notorious for being overcrowded, having a low academic standards and under-qualified teachers. Slow learners are chronically neglected. Many students ‘slip through the cracks,’ become frustrated, and drop out after primary school, leaving them without the skills or education required to find employment. What’s more, high fees for uniforms, school supplies, and endless other costs in the public schools, keep many under-privileged children from even attending.

For many poverty stricken families, alcoholism, abuse, neglect and hunger are an everyday reality. Even if a child is eager to learn and has the opportunity to attend school, malnutrition drastically reduces a child’s ability to concentrate and absorb new information. Children from abusive homes too often grow up to be abusive adults, with stunted emotional development, poor communication skills, and a lack of self-worth. Ignorance is passed from one generation to the next, and the vicious cycle of poverty and abuse continues. With your help we can break that cycle for an entire generation of children in Tepoztlan.

Through our Ixaya School we provide a supportive educational community. Children receive nutritious meals daily, personalized attention, ecological consciousness, initiative and leadership training, extra-curricular workshops, English classes, Yoga and a positive home away from home. Ixaya is a safe haven where children are provided with the skills and building blocks to construct successful, healthy and happy lives.

We immerse our children in everything they would never have been exposed to otherwise in life; we assist each child to discover his/her unique talents; to follow these talents, academic or otherwise, with passion, and thus find his/her niche in life. We work to help our students overcome blocks and fears; encouraging them to be creative, original and free-thinking. Our aim is to guide them to become fulfilled and successful young adults, who in turn reach out to those less fortunate than themselves, passing on the kindness bestowed upon them.

Our school currently makes free quality education accessible to 80 children in grades 1 – 8. Our plan is to build a high school and kindergarten as soon as more funding is made available. Please help us to bring light, which is knowledge, into these children’s lives, dispelling darkness / ignorance that causes so much unnecessary suffering!