The 2nd annual Mexican Schools Project fund raiser held on Wednesday July 22 2009 on the waterfront in sunny Vancouver British Columbia Canada was an overwhelming success. Through selling 65 tickets and procuring many silent auction items which went close to their asking price, the amount raised was over $15,000. This money will go towards building a kindergarten school in a very remote fishing village called Corrales, and towards a donation to the Pasitos de Luz special needs school in Puerto Vallarta. Thank you so much to Bob, Patsy and Sandra for their great organization, passion and energy. Thank you all who so generously donated to this worthwhile cause.
Sincerely,
Barbara Crompton, a lover of Mexico and it’s people.
With ever greater demand from a rapidly growing population, Pasito’s founder and Director, Yolanda Sanchez, continues to expand and improve the facility. In the past six months she has added a large and well-equipped therapy area ready for the arrival of 3 interns who will spend a year working under the supervision of our staff therapist Sylvia. There’s a new are area where kids can share the joy of creating colorful and imaginative paintings–some holding the brush in their mouth, and one severely affected sweetheart with Cerebral Palsy has a brush mounted on her little baseball cap—incredible to witness!!
Some recent encouraging developments: a film-maker from Vancouver has completed a week of filming and the resulting documentary will contribute hugely in efforts to introduce Pasitos to more people and raise desperately needed funds. Yolanda was awarded the “Hero Award” by the city of Puerto Vallarta, for her amazing dedication and accomplishments (she started only six years ago, caring for the children of 3 friends, in her home!!). The recently elected city administration is expressing interest and concern in the major contribution Pasitos makes to Vallarta’s welfare.
Under the direction of teacher Toresa Crawford and her dedicated students from NALA’ATSI SCHOOL in the COMOX VALLEY, B.C. a recycling program was started at the school. They decided that their first proceeds would be donated to the Mexican Schools Project. Their first donation was $9.70, which will provide school supplies for two mexican students next year. They have made a commitment to raise over $400.00 for the Mexican school project through their bottle and can collection. Richard Price and Brandon Antoine have been the main helpers. In this picture Richard Hall is presenting Bob with their first donation. WAY TO GO YOU GUYS … HUY TSEEP Q’U. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Elders lunch in September.
On hearing about all the good work that the Medicine Hat Sunrise Rotary Club has been doing in Mexico the Grad Committee decided to donate $5000 towards the building of a new special needs center in the main town of El Tuito in the impoverished area Cabo Corrientes. The local Mexican government will match funds and the local community will do all the labor. This is so great as it is half the funds needed to complete this project. Pretty WONDERFUL to say the least!
It was so nice to visit again and see good friends at this wonderful club. After doing a presentation to update the club about what has been done over the last year they decided to pass the cup around and wouldn’t you know it they raised $150 ,which will supply 2 schools with all their supplies, sport balls etc. for next year. They also want to know about future projects. This is an AMAZING GROUP OF FOLKS!!
Dave Cecile Jones – thank you so much for all your hospitality and friendship. Your donation to Pasitos De Luz could not have come at a better time for them. Muchas Gracias Muy Amable.
Why did your class raise money for Mexican Schools?
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 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.
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.
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..
