Fifty years ago, Bishop Braulio Sánchez SDB, the first bishop of the prelature, dreamed of educating the children and young people of the Mixepolitana region. His dream slowly became a reality, thanks to the support of the local population, which contributed generously to the best of their ability to provide the materials to build a school. The initiative also had the unconditional support of the Salesian Province. Many other people, even without any direct knowledge of the place, knew that the goal was to form good Christians and honest citizens, and helped the Salesians financially to complete the construction of the Salesian Institute of Matagallinas-Mixes in the State of Oaxaca.
Today that work is called the "Institute for the Advancement of the Indigenous Communities". It serves local youth first of all as a primary school open to boys and girls and, in addition, as a secondary school and boarding school.
The Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) take care of the education of 45 boys, while the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) care for 53 girls, all from the indigenous communities in the region.
Currently the community of the Salesian school is preparing for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the institute, which over the years has distinguished itself as an educational centre that has trained excellent citizens. Many of its past pupils now occupy senior positions within their communities. They include people committed to seeking honestly the common good, public officials or politicians and also people who have consecrated themselves to God and to the service of others, as priests, religious brothers or sisters.
The IMCI is directed by Fr Miguel Angel Miranda SDB, who can count on the collaboration of Fr Urbano Rodríguez Higareda, Economer, as well as two young Salesians and two other volunteers.
https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/1738-mexico-institute-for-the-advancement-of-the-indigenous-community-imci#sigProId6045749804
