Programs

Brazos Abiertos has established a peer-on-peer education program called TEAMM (Teenage Education on AIDS in Merida, Mexico). U.S. high school and college students (TEAMM USA) facilitate HIV/AIDS workshops in the villages, and then return to Mexico again to train the Mayas (TEAMM Yucatan) to teach the workshops themselves. Dr. Crofoot helps facilitate the workshops, providing medical and health information and free HIV testing, and collects data to better understand the true impact of AIDS in the area.

The compassion and respect with which all members of Brazos relate to the villagers has enabled us to enjoy a rich cultural exchange and has provided a safe environment in which sharing and open personal communication not characteristic of the Mayan culture has occurred. Our success has created a demand for our educational programs beyond what we are currently able to provide.

BAI offers free condoms wherever possible and will be offering free anonymous HIV testing, as well as post- and pre-HIV testing counseling. BAI will also work to supply HIV-positive individuals with medications that will allow them to live a normal life and be productive persons who contribute to society.

Our Clinic
Brazos is in the process of establishing the first free HIV clinic, not funded by the government, in the Yucatan — only the third non-government nonprofit free HIV clinic in all of Mexico. In late 2007, a building was purchased in the El Centro area of Merida by funds from a generous American donor.  Well located along bus routes, the building sits next door to the Health Ministry.  Currently, planning is underway for the renovation that will turn it into a modern health clinic and BAI’s education and counseling center.  Your help is needed to fund this project.

Fundraising
Brazos Abiertos holds a variety of fundraisers in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico — dinners, wine tastings, and small concerts. We held our first friend- and fundraiser in Houston, Texas, USA in May, 2008. Our spokesmen, Oscar de la Rosa and the entire La Mafia band, were there for the evening supporting Brazos and the event was covered on Univision’s “El Gordo y La Flaca”. Click here to see the video clip.

The main source of revenue to date has come from our supporters through their generous donations. You too can join our list of Supporters by clicking the “Make a Donation” button on the left to donate via PayPal or by mailing a check to the address on the left. Brazos is starting to submit grant proposals to foundations and corporations. If you have a contact with a possible funder to offer, please contact Nicole Longnecker, our Executive Director, at nicole@hivyucatan.org.