Last week, the second and the main phase of ORTs Mexican Mother and Child Care project was inaugurated in the State of Oaxaca, one of the poorest areas of Mexico. The project was initiated and is being run by ORT, the international organisation involved in training and education. The inauguration was attended by Robert Singer, Director General of World ORT Union, as well as official representatives from State Government. The aim of this programme is to provide opportunities for infants and pre-school children suffering from malnutrition and living in Oaxaca. The project offers these children and their parents, a system of education in health and nutrition care. Improved education and recreational facilities will enhance the quality of life for these children and improve their future prospects. Likewise, parents employment prospects will improve as a result of training offered. Collaboration between ORT and the Mexican Government on this project will offer economic opportunities and development in this area. The isolated population, who have been living in extreme poverty and disadvantaged conditions, will benefit from improved social opportunities. The intention is that this programme will be regarded as a model programme and replicated in other isolated and underprivileged communities. At the end of the project, the local community will assume responsibility for sustaining the project. The cost of this project is shared between ORT and the Mexican Government. There are currently 146 children, aged between 3-6 years, who are already benefiting from this programme. It is hoped that the project will expand to help 6-12 year olds. ORT first began the Mother and Child Care programmes in Venezuela in the late 1970s and has since run the programme in Peru, Brazil, Ethiopia, Ghana and the Philippines. This programme is part of ORTs International Co-operation work which provides non-sectarian humanitarian support to disadvantaged people in the developing world. The programme serves as a vehicle for the Jewish community to demonstrate its commitment to social justice and economic development in the spirit of Tzedoka. ORTs support is always linked to training and employment, helping people to become self sufficient. Programmes foster individual and community empowerment through the strengthening of civil society.