While my main focus during my journey in Mexico was to design and build our family's home and obtain land to begin our organic farm, I also wanted to lead a conscious and caring lifestyle in this small, rural Mexican town of Lo de Marcos. I was able to find such avenues to do so through the fabulous community centers in both Lo de Marcos and San Pancho, and the local NGO Amigos de Lo de Marcos. While all of these organizations have made a large impact upon the way in which I have integrated and live amongst these vibrant, lovely communities, Casa de Los Ninos has touched my heart and has a history that must be shared.
La Casa was founded by two couples, Patti and David Martinez and Jim and Dulce Hendrich, who happened upon each other with a mutual goal of providing further resources and opportunity to the kids of Lo de Marcos. La Casa also symbolizes a very personal mission for Patti and David. The Martinez's daughter and her young family were traveling to Mexico to begin an after school program for kids when they were hit and killed by a drunk driver in northern California. Patti and David took it upon themselves to continue their daughter's mission and now La Casa serves as memorial to their lives.
Before the creation of La Casa de Los Ninos, there was no learning, community center for kids, and the resources offered at their schools and homes were very minimal. La Casa has filled the void for a safe and enriching gathering place for elementary school kids in Lo de Marcos. Now these kids have a sanctuary composed of thousands of donations from people across the globe. The building is filed with toys and games, art supplies, computers, educational materials, cultural decorations, a library of both english and spanish books, and a fully equipped kitchen. The compound also consists of a soccer field, flower gardens, patios and soon to be organic garden.
La Casa is open four days a week for two hours during the afternoon. Up to 60 kids attend everyday of the year. This is only made possible through the kindness of its benefactors. La Casa is an non-profit organization that functions solely upon the generosity of others through their monetary donations, material donations and the gracious offering of their services as volunteers.
The daily inter-workings of the center is directed by the main instructor, Clara, and her assistant, Triny. These two fabulous women exemplify kindness, sincerity, trust, and joy through each and every one of their actions as the leaders of this phenomenal center. Their lesson plans celebrate the vibrant Mexican culture, cherish the youth and energy of these young ones, inspire the kid's senses with new experiences and challenge their minds to strive towards moral and academic excellence.
This next month I will be embarking on two new programs for La Casa. I will be working with two other young volunteers from the U.S. designing, organizing and planting an organic garden amongst the compound of La Casa. We will be using alternative materials for raised planter beds, such as tires and broken cement blocks. Our planting intent includes a variety of flowers, herbs, vegetables and fruits. This will be a fabulous educational and empowering opportunity for the kids. The program will compliment lessons in nutrition, dental hygiene, environmental education and waste management through the construction and use of a great new composter!
I will also be working with the women owners, instructors and other older women volunteers to create La Casa's first ever girls circle. This will be a separate program from the daily general activities. We will meet with a group composed of girls 10-17 years old on Friday afternoons and embark on a variety of activities to facilitate empowerment and agency amongst these young women. This program is very important considering the context of the traditional machismo culture accepted amongst the community. For the first few weeks we will be transitioning an empty spare room on the compound into the girl's 'club house'/ meeting room.
Simultaneously, there will be a boutique thrift shop opening in Sayulita by a woman connected to La Casa. She is opening the store for the sole purpose of supporting La Casa's girls circle. I look forward to the challenges and discoveries these new projects will offer, and the further impact these children will make upon my journey.
These were photos I took during my first visit to La Casa de Los Ninos. We were making penguins out of styrofoam for the holidays. It was absolutely fantastic, and extremely messy!
-VIVA LOS PINGUINOS-
No comments:
Post a Comment