The Foundation was then created to officially recognize a relationship that began in 1982 with exchanges between Dona Ana Community College and the Centro de Bachilleratio Technológico Industrial y de Servicios Numero 4 of Lerdo, Durango, Mexico. 

 which grew from a school exchange between Mayfield High School and Albert Schweitzer Schule. 

During this time of nearly 30 years, community members and elected officials from all three interests have traveled as delegates of the program and experienced the culture and hospitality of one or more of our partner cities.  This has paved the way for the many student, professional and personal exchanges that have allowed Las Crucens, Lerdoans and Nienburgers to live, work and study in a foreign culture and language where their new friends are more like family they have just met.