VEHICLES, VEHICLES and MORE VEHICLES

Who would ever believe that I could break down in 3 different vehicles in 3 different countries within one month. The Universe must know I am no mechanic!

Just before leaving Canada my old van came to a grinding halt after getting off the Quadra Island ferry; the fuel pump gone (it is only money). Two days later I picked up the van that the Wachiay Friendship Center in Courtenay was so kind to give me the deal of the century on. This 15 passenger was going to be donated to the HIV/ AIDS Center in Pt Vallarta Mexico and to be used for testing in the poorer communities. On my way I stopped by my good friends Jim and Marlyn Ainsley for a coffee, before I hopped on the ferry for Vancouver, then the US of A. They had some clothes that I was going to take down and donate and asked if there was anything else I could use like MATERIAL. The light bulb went ON – for years they had worked craft fairs selling their fabrics and now had all this material left over. Soon we were loading bolt after bolt of material into the van and, guess what, not a problem at the border. California here I come! or so I thought.

Just before the California border there are a set of mountains that the van did not want to go over and it heated up quickly. I hobbled back into Grants Pass and found the only mechanic open on a Sunday. I spent the whole day at the mechanic’s as the crew tried to figure what the problem was – no luck and I was held over until Monday when the boss was due to arrive. I drove the van to the Walmart parking lot and spent the night there in the van, what an experience !!! There were half a million dollar motor homes on one side of the lot and on the other the displaced and homeless. It was quite the contrast. Back at the mechanics they discovered it was the radiator (only more money) : -) Next, I was off to see Ken and Sandra who have an organic farm just outside Santa Cruz. After a short visit a donated sewing machine plus lots more clothing from friends it was off to Puerta Vallarta where a group of Rotarians was waiting for me.

Three days later I arrived and quickly borrowed the small bus I had donated to this wonderful special needs center, Pasitos de Luz ( Place of Light), the year before so I could tour the rotary group around the remote area south of Pt. Vallarta. Then LIGHTNING STRUCK AGAIN. With everyone on board and way out in this remote area the transmission seal blew. Thanks to a Pepsi truck who towed us to the main town everyone was happy and a week later the bus was fixed (only money) : -)

WOMEN’S CO-OP: TOOTHBRUSHES FOR THE HUITCHOL INDIANS

Back in Puerta Vallarta I dropped the van off with ED and the folk doing wonderful work with HIV/AIDS prevention in the area. On the way I gave all the donated material to Vivian and the sewing machine to the Womens Co-op that she helps operate in the poor areas. I also gave my good friend Kevin, who runs the shop Peyote People, all the clothes and supplies collected for the Huitchol Indians that live high in the mountains. It was so good to hear from him that the tooth brushes and paste that we had sent up the year before was a big hit as they had never used them before.

CHAIRS, FANS, BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS

My good friend Margarito who helped start this project 7 years ago with his wife Eva had been collecting furniture and other materials needed for schools in the remote areas. Armed with a list of all the school materials that were needed it was time to load the truck up and go delivering. As always it was a lot of fun seeing old friends. Glenn Barron a teacher and good friend from North Carolina had arrived with his daughter Katie and 600 books that were going to be given to 3 separate schools so they could start school libraries. The year before he had noticed that there were hardly any books for the children to read and they do not even know the word library. We stayed out there for a couple of days and the books were a hit with everyone. It was a great trip.

PASITOS DE LUZ ( PLACE OF LIGHT) SPECIAL NEEDS CENTER

One of my favorite HAPPY Places. This year we helped to raise funds to finish their badly needed renovations. They look after over 100 children a day so the parents can go to work in an area the size of a shoe box.

One of their faithful volunteer/ workers Yuni ( Loved by all) had for the last 8 years wanted to attend a 2 year special needs therapists school in Guadalahara so she could return and help the children. My good friend Jim Boland decided to help right away and Yuni has now completed 6 months of the course and doing great.

HOUSE FOR 5 TEACHERS

This was our big project for the year that the local government, who does not have a lot of money, decided that teacher housing was a major priority and asked us to help. There are 5 teachers at the only high school in this very remote area ( Villa del Mar), and they are sleeping in make shift tents, on the school floor, or being passed around to different families in the community. This is a big problem as most teachers are from the cities and not used to these sparse living conditions. They get fustrated , some leave, and in other cases the school closes.

Thanks to Barb Crompton, Patsy Duggan AND MANY FRIENDS who threw a very successful, very fun, fund raiser for this project in Vancouver last year. Along with continuing support from the Sunrise Rotary Club of Medicine Hat AB this fundraiser allowed us to help see this project completed. The local people of the village have done all the work and we have been able to get all materials at cost..

NEXT YEAR

Kindergarten school in Coralles, special needs center in El tuito. Two houses for teacher,

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL….FOR YOUR SUPPORT.