“Today, in their honor and in memory of all victims of intolerance, I celebrate the existence of this museum, whose message is an urgent call to humanity: to remember so as not to repeat.”
– Doris Stempa, daughter of Holocaust survivors
For Doris Stempa, a Mexican woman of Jewish faith and the daughter of immigrants, the Museum of Memory and Tolerance in Mexico City is more than a landmark — it is a living tribute to her family’s history and a powerful call to action. Her parents, both Holocaust survivors, rebuilt their lives in Mexico with deep gratitude for the refuge it provided. Now, she sees the Museum as a space where memory is preserved, injustice is confronted, and the lessons of history are passed forward to new generations.
As Doris writes:
“The Memory and Tolerance Museum is iconic in Mexico. Through its invaluable work, it confronts us with the deepest wounds of humanity: suffering, injustice, pain, and the genocides that have marked history… Walking through its halls is a moving experience… Each exhibition and testimony confronts us with the responsibility to never forget and invites us to reflect on our role in building a more just world.”
This sense of responsibility — to remember, reflect, and act — is at the heart of the Museum’s mission.
Promoting Tolerance Through Education
Since opening 14 years ago, the Museum has welcomed over 5.8 million visitors. Through powerful exhibitions and educational programs, it confronts prejudice, illuminates human rights abuses, and promotes social responsibility.
Permanent exhibitions on the Holocaust and other genocides invite critical reflection on the consequences of hatred and indifference, while temporary displays, like We Want to Be Free and Safe!, address urgent challenges such as gender-based violence. Interactive installations and firsthand testimonies engage visitors of all ages in meaningful dialogue about justice and empathy.
In an era marked by rising intolerance, disinformation, and polarization, the Museum’s mission to preserve memory and promote compassion is more essential than ever.
The Museum’s impact on education is both deep and wide-reaching. More than 193,000 children have participated in sponsored tours, 244,000 teachers have brought students, and 300,000 virtual visits have expanded its reach. Online, a digital community of over one million followers continues to engage with its message.
Educational access remains a core priority. Over 440,000 students have received scholarships to visit, and 295,000 children have explored the Isla MYT Sésamo children’s space. Across Mexico, more than 113,000 students have participated in 3,000+ lectures and workshops on human rights. Meanwhile, the Truper Educational Center has welcomed 1.6 million visits and hosted 1,500 free activities.
“Visiting this museum for the first time was an incredible experience, not only because of its beautiful facilities but also due to the immense value of its theme, focusing on Memory and Humanity. It allows us to learn about the great mistakes committed against our own species while also offering us the opportunity to reflect as active beings on the importance of Tolerance towards differences and human diversity. A wonderful experience. Thank you so much for the guided tours!”
– Alma, Visitor, Museum of Memory and Tolerance
A Powerful Partnership: CAF America’s Role in Sustaining Impact
The Museum’s continued reach and resilience have been made possible, in part, by its partnership with CAF America. During the pandemic, when the Museum was forced to close for more than a year, funding from CAF America allowed the institution to retain its essential visitor service and quartermaster teams — the individuals responsible for maintaining the facility, supporting public programming, and creating a positive visitor experience. These salaries were critical in keeping the Museum operational and safe, even during nationwide lockdowns.
Since 2021, CAF America has provided ten grants totaling $57,000 to the organization. This support has made the following possible:
- The Museum was able to cover biweekly wages for front-line staff, ensuring the safety of both personnel and infrastructure.
- More than 55,000 children were brought to the Museum in 2023 alone — many from vulnerable communities, with 2,264 students receiving breakfast, transportation, and entrance free of charge.
- Funds were redirected toward updating exhibitions and preserving cultural assets, while also expanding digital programming that reached audiences across Latin America.
As expressed by the Museum team, “The donations made through CAF helped us go through the pandemic,” allowing them to preserve their mission and adapt to new challenges.
“As a donor I was inspired by the powerful flow of the museum, making it easy to leave a more tolerant and empathetic person than who you were before you entered. It is easy to teach hate but hard to teach love and acceptance. The museum is a special place where one can enter with prejudice and hate yet leave with kindness and compassion for others. I knew this was a museum I wanted to support when I saw large groups of school kids making their way through and thought about who might leave a different person.”
– Neal Greenbaum, Donor, Museum of Memory and Tolerance
Broadening Access, Deepening Impact
Looking ahead, the Museum is focused on expanding its reach and deepening its impact. As it recovers from the long-term effects of the pandemic, one major goal is to increase access for underserved students and communities, making sure cost is never a barrier to education.
Future plans include:
- Continuing to sponsor visits for children and youth from marginalized areas, with integrated meals and transportation.
- Further digitizing educational content to reach more learners across Latin America.
- Expanding interactive and inclusive programming that addresses modern issues like human trafficking, racial discrimination, and social inequality.
- Sustaining the quality and accessibility of its exhibits while maintaining a strong institutional image through the continued support of essential staff.
The Museum’s work showcases the power of collective memory and inclusive education. With the ongoing support, the Museum will continue to serve as a vital force for social inclusion and cultural transformation for generations to come.
“This museum had a profound impact on me. Everything displayed moved my heart. I believe it truly helps raise awareness about humanity’s actions and the impact they generate, while also enriching the mind with valuable information — perhaps unknown to some, but essential to know. The message conveyed by its exhibition is the perfect definition of what we should strive to be as humanity. I wish all the best to any human reading this.”
– Ariana, Visitor, Museum of Memory and Tolerance
Keep Exploring
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