A view of the new Mano Amiga school in Tijuana (Photo courtesy of El Sol de Tijuana).

Tijuana (Baja California), September 22, 2008. A  new Mano Amiga (Helping Hand) school was opened this past September 9 in the city of Tijuana—the newest in the successful network of schools throughout Mexico and Latin America that provide a quality education to poor children at no cost.

The Tijuana Helping Hands school opens with 300 students from pre-school age to third grade and will continue opening more grades each year.

On the inauguration day, Fr José Antonio Padilla, LC, blessed the new facilities in the presence of the students, parents, staff, and various educational officials from the state of Tijuana. Also present were several representatives from the Homex homebuilders company, which donated the land and facilities.

Mano Amiga schools are supported by the fundraising efforts of the Altius Foundation, which is an international organization created by the Legionaries of Christ. The Altius Foundation seeks to transform the lives of both students and their families not only through Mano Amiga schools, but also through free health services, economic development, and adult education programs. The goal of all these programs is to strengthen the family unit and build the infrastructure of local communities in a lasting way.

To learn more about Mano Amiga schools and their success rate with underprivileged children, visit the Altius Foundation web site. Donors who are interested in helping with these projects are invited to visit the Catholic World Mission web site for more information.