Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca became Palo Alto’s second Sister City in 1964. The relationship between the two cities has endured over the decades and evolved into one of the most active and impactful of Palo Alto’s Sister City relationships.

Oaxaca is a lively town recognized world-wide as one of Mexico’s creative and artistic centers, well known for the region’s fantastical folk art and other highly regarded crafts, leatherwork, painting and other creative expressions. A UNESCO World Heritage City, Oaxaca also boasts a thriving indigenous culture, primarily Zapotec and Mixtec. From the lively zócalo (town square), with its street vendors and strolling musicians, to Monte Albán, a world-famous pre-Columbian archaeological site nearby, the city of Oaxaca and the surrounding region have become a major tourist destination.

Oaxaca and the surrounding region do face the economic, healthcare and other challenges typical of developing countries. The City of Palo Alto and Neighbors Abroad have been at Oaxaca’s side for almost 60 years, partnering on confronting these challenges while benefiting from a close, mutually beneficial relationship.

An explanation of the rainwater capture tanks Neighbors Abroad helped install in Yaxe, an indigenous community near Oaxaca.

Over the years, Oaxaca and Palo Alto have partnered on numerous environmental, humanitarian, artistic, and other projects, including:

The Yaxe Rainwater Capture project which has, to date, established 50 environmentally friendly rainwater harvesting tanks in the indigenous village of San Nicolás Yaxe, transforming the lives of the residents. We are honored that this initiative was recognized with a 2022 Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance Award from Sister Cities International.
A longstanding exchange program offering young people in both cities the opportunity to immerse themselves in their Sister City, learn Spanish or English and establish true bonds of international connection.
A groundbreaking carbon offset program in which Neighbors Abroad is catalyzing forest-based carbon sequestration across the forests of subtropical Oaxaca and then initiating a carbon exchange network across our Sister and Sibling Cities.
Support of the Albergue Infantil Josefino, which cares for orphaned and vulnerable children.
Longtime cooperation with Vidas y Sueños, a program that teaches nutrition, health, and environmental awareness to the small villages in surrounding Oaxaca State. Our partnership with Vidas y Sueños contributed to our work on the Yaxe rainwater capture project.
Support of El Centro Capulli, an educational and nutrition program, supporting the San Jacinto barrio of Oaxaca. El Centro Calpulli provides meals, educational tutoring, a library, computer training and children’s rights advocacy to the area. During the pandemic, Neighbors Abroad provided cellular assistance and computers to allow remote learning for the children supported by Calpulli.
Establishment of an observatory and planetarium near Oaxaca to take advantage of the region’s elevation.
Provision of surplus fire equipment, including fire trucks, to Oaxaca and providing training for the region’s firefighters, in partnership with the City of Palo Alto, the Kiwanis Club and the Rotary Club.
Partnership with the City of Palo Alto to recycle outdated laptops to Oaxaca, for use by our partners and various other entities.
A rainforest reforestation program.
Numerous visits to Oaxaca by Palo Alto delegations and vice versa.