A New School in Santa Ana Necoxtla, 8 Years After The Earthquake

Eight years ago, on September 19, 2017, Mexico was struck by its second major earthquake in less than two weeks. Just 12 days earlier, an 8.2-magnitude quake had devastated the state of Chiapas. Then, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake near Axochiapan, Morelos, only 75 miles from Mexico City, brought new destruction to the heart of the country.

Among the many building collapses was the Enrique Rebsamen School, where 21 children and two adults lost their lives. The earthquakes were profoundly devastating, leading to nearly 400 confirmed fatalities, damaging hundreds of thousands of homes and destroying at least 5,000 schools.

AH&H’s Commitment to Mexico

All Hands & Hearts (AH&H) was there in the aftermath, and we are still here today. Since then, we’ve been working hand in hand with communities across the country to rebuild safe, resilient schools where children can learn, grow and dream without fear.

This year, as we honor the memory of those lost, we also celebrate a brighter chapter: the completion of brand-new schools in Santa Ana Necoxtla. The story of Santa Ana Necoxtla’s schools and student shelter reflects what we aim for in every school rebuild. We work with communities to identify schools most in need, and help create spaces that bring hope, peace, resilience and opportunity for generations of students to come.

Building Safe Spaces for Learning

Tomorrow, we are officially handing back our latest earthquake-resilient schools and student shelter to the community. We worked on Albergue Escolar No. 48 (the student shelter for students from vulnerable communities) and upgrades to three nearby schools that will serve more than 360 currently enrolled children, from ages 3 to 14, and their communities. Students and staff will benefit from new and improved WASH facilities, a bamboo-designed kitchen, modern bathrooms, a rainwater harvesting system, access to computers, and a beautiful, custom-built playground.

Empowering Women in Construction

Three local women participated in our Female Mason Training Program, gaining valuable skills in sustainable construction that they can carry forward into new opportunities and future projects. Their contributions are built into the very walls of these schools, leaving behind a legacy of community-driven resilience and progress.

Facing Seismic Risks Together

Mexico sits upon one of the world’s most seismically active regions and Santa Ana Necoxtla—near the epicenter of the September 19, 2017 earthquake and built on soft, unstable ground—faces these risks even more acutely. It is more urgent than ever to keep children in safe schools as they learn and grow.

As we hand back these schools and the student shelter, we honor the memory of those lost in 2017 while celebrating the strength and determination of the vibrant Santa Ana Necoxtla community. Together, we’ve created spaces where children can live, learn and dream with confidence surrounded by their peers and trusted adults, and where resilience will be passed on to future generations.