FAI Sonora is a privately funded, non-profit institution with no religious or political affiliations, dedicated to sustainable human and community development, whose primary objective is to help improve conditions and quality of life for Mexican children, adolescents and families who have been marginalized and live in poverty in both urban and rural areas.

The following is a brief summary of the most significant stages and events in the life of our foundation:

1973: On April 4, our foundation is established under the name FUNDECAI (Foundation for Community Development and Childhood Support)

1976: The Foundation starts to work with street children in Mexicali , North Baja California , with funds from Save the Children USA.

1978: The Foundation moves its office from Mexicali to Alamos, Sonora , where it starts a small rural development project, later supporting small production projects.

1982: The Foundation extends its work to Rosario, Tesopaco , Sonora , where it supports basic infrastructure programs.

1983-1984: In the state of Chiapas , in Las Margaritas municipality, the Foundation implements a Support Program for Guatemalan refugees, with the help of Red Barnet of Denmark and Red Barna of Norway. In 1984, it starts work in the Yecora municipality, supporting production projects.

1985-1986: The Foundation begins to receive support from Save the Children Denmark for ecologically focused production projects. It also gives emergency help to those affected by the Mexico City earthquake through a housing reconstruction program in San Antonio Tomatlan, Huehuetoca and Jazmin. It also develops a program for street children in Tijuana , North Baja California , with funds from UNICEF and Christian Children’s Fund. The Foundation begins operations in Quiriego , Sonora .

1987: Upon reaching the goals proposed by the Foundation, both the refugee program in Chiapas , as well as the Mexico City earthquake relief efforts of 1985, become parts of other governmental institutions. An office opens in Mexico City under the coordination of teacher Silvia Bandejek.

1988: The Communal Banks Methodology is adopted, under the committed leadership of Dr. Juan Matheuw.

1990: Mr. Jorge Valenzuela Romero assumes the position of General Director, propelling the Foundation’s sustainable communitarian work forward and, under his leadership and vision, inaugurating a new stage of growth and significant development.

1993: The Foundation changes its name from FUNDECAI to FUNDACION DE APOYO INFANTIL SONORA , A.C. (Foundation for Childhood Support), with strong emphasis on child labor.

1991-1995: FAI promotes community development under the guiding principles of organized participation, self-management and sustainability in three basic areas: health, education and economic opportunity.

1996-2000: FAI starts summer camps and Children’s Conferences, as well as complementary activities related to the Health Guardians program, promoting and spreading awareness of Children’s Rights and the self-direction of children and youth. FAI MEXICANA coordinates National Conferences of all FAIs. The area of Sponsorship opens. Work begins in Aves del Castillo, Severo Girón, Cajeme and Beltrones in Obregón City , Sonora . The new Ecological Homes program begins. FAI moves its central offices to the new ecological building on agricultural land on the outskirts of Obregon City , Sonora , in the Commissariat of Providencia.

2001-2006: FAI Sonora establishes a long-term Cooperation Convention (2002-2012) with Ayuda en Acción, a Spanish international cooperation agency, with the objective of developing plans to directly and effectively combat poverty and exclusion, as well as promote a life of dignity for all. FAI Sonora finds additional support for its community intervention among the following agencies: the Mexican federal government for promoting micro-lending, the Sonoran state government for combating child labor and developing the community promoters program, the Fundación Merced to promote nutrition and safe dietary habits, particularly in terms of the production and distribution of the moringa tree as a powerful resource against infant and childhood malnutrition. The design and implementation of the Guiding Institutional Plan and Strategic Medium-Term Plans that give clearer vision and direction to FAI, as well as its Strategy for Community Intervention.