“VIFAC has helped me a lot with diapers and clothes. When my house was affected by the hurricane, I lost some things, and sometimes my son got sick. They also help us with a baking workshop. It’s very nice to learn and to be taught, especially to support each other,” says Esmeralda, 20, one of the women seeking support for her pregnancy at Vida y Familia A.C.
Founded in Mexico, VIFAC is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive support to pregnant women in vulnerable situations. Its primary mission is to offer alternatives to improve the quality of life of mothers and children with a holistic and humanistic approach. VIFAC’s assistance includes housing, medical care, psychological support, legal advice, training and education, food aid, and a support network.
VIFAC will host a brunch fundraiser on October 26th to raise funds for purchasing a vehicle. The vehicle will be used to transport mothers from their homes to the VIFAC center in Cabo San Lucas. Fabiana Clavijo, president of VIFAC Los Cabos, expressed her excitement about the support from local business owners for this initiative. She stated, “We are very excited about the response from business owners supporting us in making this possible. We want to achieve a nice event for the community accompanying us.” The organization also seeks to establish an annual fundraising event to meet their day-to-day needs.
Our individualized emotional consulting is a cornerstone of our work, allowing us to deeply understand each situation and provide tailored assistance. When our consulting identifies the need for professional support, we offer psychological assistance, ensuring we address all aspects of our beneficiaries’ needs. This approach is what sets us apart, as explained by Carol Xicoténcatl, Director of VIFAC Los Cabos.
In 1985, Marilú Vilches founded VIFAC to assist pregnant women, girls, and adolescents living on the streets in Mexico. Due to her efforts, VIFAC now operates 38 centers across Mexico, with one each in Brownsville, Texas, and Los Angeles, California. VIFAC began its operations in Baja California Sur in 2010, initially located in La Paz, then moved to Los Cabos in 2015.
According to Fabiana, a representative of VIFAC, they have served 62 women this year, with 40% of them being minors. Fabiana mentioned that she had to support a 12-year-old girl. They estimate that they will be able to help 200 women by the end of the year.
VIFAC’s comprehensive support extends beyond the pregnant woman to include her children, recognizing that many mothers arrive in their second, third, or fourth pregnancy. Our personalized support includes a range of services such as psychoprophylaxis courses, online training during pregnancy, and preparation for childbirth and breastfeeding.
“Another way of operating is through professional training. We firmly believe that the best way to help a person is to equip them with the tools to succeed in life. That’s why we have workshops where they are trained for a trade,” says Carol, with a hint of pride. She further adds that the baking business is thriving, with customers who eagerly buy our delicious cookies and brownies, a testament to the success of our training programs.
“They are concerned about me, they call me, ask me how I am, how I’m doing.” Ángeles, a nine-month-pregnant woman about to give birth, shares her experience with VIFAC. ‘I have seen the page, and there are many very nice comments. I hope that, once I finish my cycle, I can also support the others,’ she says, determined to offer herself as a volunteer.
Her story is a testament to the transformative power of our work and the potential for change that VIFAC offers, instilling hope and optimism in all of us.’
Information for volunteering and help on social networks: @vifacloscabos
