The power of families reaching out to help other families has an incredible impact in supporting children in Mexico to continue their education. We just finished distributing school supplies to 125 children (Kindergarten – University) from families with limited resources in addition to the CAM School for 100 students with special needs/disabilities.
For me this is one of the most personally rewarding volunteer efforts we do throughout the year. Seeing children’s smiles and their excitement in carefully unpacking and repacking their supplies is priceless. And the parents are soooo appreciative knowing their children have the opportunity to continue on in school another year . . . it is a privilege, not taken for granted!
THANKS to the many families, educators and organizations who are passionate about helping kids . . . your donations make the School Supply Project possible!
XXX
XXX
XXx
XXX
xxx
xx
xxxxx
xx
xx
xx
xxx
xxx
xxx
x
x
Creekside Montessori students from Vernon, BC; Canada and their families collected over 60 pounds of school supply donations to send to Cozumel in March 2011 with Valerie Brousseau, Creekside Director. Valerie visited NUAFA daycare and plans to return this coming March bringing Spanish learning materials.
John Wilson and his family are passionate about providing learning opportunities for youth. John, a school administrator, and his wife, also an educator, are frequent Cozumel visitors. They provided significant donations of specialty items including a supply scientific calculators needed by middle and high school math students. The Wilsons brought school supplies to Cozumel in March and July in addition to recruiting friends coming via cruiseship to bring supplies.
Transporting donations to the island is one of our greatest challenges. We really appreciate it when cruisers, like Darla Gatte’s family who came in April, are able to drop off a bag of donations to be received by one of our resident volunteers.
Gracias to the Stolle family from Plano, TX who combined community service with their family vacation in July. Lyndall Stolle, an Advanced Placement English Teacher, contacted Friends of Cozumel to identify donation and volunteer needs. The entire family, including dad Mark, supported the effort by gathering items and being donation “sherpas”. Lyndall and the girls, Catherine and Caroline, volunteered a couple of hours one morning to preassemble paper packets for 125 backpacks. Afterwards they briefly visited a school property being renovated during summer break . . . what an eye opener to learn about local schools and some of the challenges teachers, administrators and families here face.
Check back for photos of local children benefitting from the School Supply Project ~ Karen
X
X
Last February, when Byron and I were in Cozumel, we watched as David Dean, the Chaplain at Texoma Chapel, presented Eloisa, the director of NUAFA a beautiful leather-bound Bible. As Eloisa held the Bible she shared that she is beginning to have trouble seeing small print. We have had multiple requests for large print Bibles from others having trouble seeing. I began to process this and thought, another one of those things we take for granted is that when we begin to have trouble reading, we go to the local stores and purchase a cheap pair of reading glasses. The wheels were now turning in my head and I remembered that I could purchase reading glasses at Dollar Tree for only $1. Now, I have to be honest, I was thinking glasses were cheaper than the large print Bibles, not even taking into consideration that if you can’t read your Bible, you can’t read anything. As soon as I got home, I began picking up a few extra pairs of glasses each time I was in Dollar Tree. Karen took some glasses to Eloisa and she was SO thankful. By the time I boarded the plane for Cozumel in July, I had accumulated about 40 pair of glasses. Little did I know what an impact these glasses would make on lives of those I met.
When we distributed school backpacks at Vida Abundante, we put out the reading glasses and invited children and mothers to take a pair if they needed them. One young lady who would be a high school student, worked diligently trying to find the right glasses that would help her read her books. There were lots of smiles on lots of faces as they found the right magnification. The best part was still to come though. 
One dollar can totally change the life of someone. I’m afraid that I am guilty of taking my possessions for granted as I am also guilty of not appreciating all that God has done for me. By American standards I am just a middle class citizen, but by the standards in Mexico, I am very well to do. What if I had been born in Cozumel to a family out in the jungle? What would my life be like? Would I even have the opportunity to know who Jesus is? Would I get to go to school? Would anyone even care if I didn’t have enough to eat? Would someone spend $1 to bring me some glasses so I could read?
Life’s journey is not to arrive at the gate safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting “Lord! WHAT A RIDE!”
Miraflores is a “planned development” that began a couple of years ago that contains a couple of different models families can purchase. 
The school year begins in late August and stretches through the first week in July due to extended school breaks throughout the year. For example, students only attended school for half of April because the last two weeks were spring break around Easter holiday. Schools were in session about half of the month of May due to the local Cedral festival and other holidays. 
I would like to think of it on a larger order. The fact is that we are all spending a limited amount of time on earth and one day we will leave it behind. When we look back, what kind of legacy will we leave behind? Did we truly make a difference in other peoples’ lives? Can we recall times when we stopped to help someone in need? Did we use our resources (time, money, skills, etc.) to help others or only to benefit ourselves? Every day, we are presented with opportunities to help others less fortunate than ourselves. The key is taking a moment to help others. It may be as simple as giving someone a friendly word of encouragement when they’re down, an offer to take a friend somewhere if they don’t have transportation, sharing some food, offering to help with a project when you have the skills. Are you making a difference, or “Just Passing Through”?
Owning a piece of land to develop a place to worship has been a dream for Vida Abundante’s (Abundant Life) congregation. For years the congregation has borrowed space to worship in a garage, rented a small empty building and when they didn’t have the funds to pay the rent, they moved to a rented lot. Members have been working tirelessly every week to earn money by cooking/selling food, used clothing and other efforts just to raise enough money for the rent, electricity and water. 
They’re a growing congregation willing to work hard to create a more stable center for worship for the purpose of reaching out to help other families in need. Click
During church service Sunday evening Pastor Mariela announced the first step church leaders are taking to turn their dream into reality . . . They have set a goal to raise 30,000 pesos ($2,700 USD) by December 1, 2011 for down payment to purchase a lot. Each adult is asked to personally contribute 1,000 pesos ($90 USD) and each child 300-500 pesos ($27-$45 USD). Children are encouraged to save 2 pesos daily by not purchasing a snack like they normally might do and putting the money in a can to save until December. For most adults 1,000 pesos is a daunting amount of money, especially during the next seven months when tourism is low (and therefore many people will not have work). For those who work, the general minimum wage is about $4.70 US per day (not per hour); not enough to support a family let alone contribute to the congregation’s goal. “Professional” minimum wages range between $7 – $16 USD per day depending on the type of job. Curious about wages in Mexico? Go to: 
Vida Abundante has not asked for donations for the down payment nor did Pastor Mariela ask us to personally contribute. Larry had volunteered to play the keyboard for special music during the service. We looked at each other and instantly independently decided we wanted to contribute too so we raised our hands and made the commitment. Later Larry shared with me “It is less than $20/month for the next seven months so I can easily set that aside by not eating out once a month.” I’ll pose the same question as Pastor Mariela did . . . Who is with us? I admit that I THOUGHT about raising my hand several more times and making the commitment for several other Friends of Cozumel volunteers/donors as well as the 
Sewing Classes: ~20 women continue to attend sewing classes 3 afternoons weekly. See the photo of participant (at left) with instructor, Elizabeth (right). The class has just finished learning flat pattern design and are sewing their first of 10 garments during the four month class. Projects vary depending on skill level (i.e. simple bouses, dresses, shorts, fitted jackets for two-piece special occasion outfits) and include sewing for other family members or friends.
Iguanas thrive in these hot, dry conditions. They seem to be more visible and active than ever. Several newcomers took up residence in our backyard while I was in the US. The “regulars” include eight iguanas plus three land turtles . . . a small version of “Wild Kingdom” when they are all out and about. As I am typing this blog posting an iguana is scratching at the sliding patio door looking inside . . . the nerve! In contrast to their energy, I feel perpetually “wilted” in the unrelenting heat. 
Visiting Jose’s family yesterday afternoon was a humble reminder that many local families have little or no relief from the elements . . . no AC or fans, no well water without rain so washing dishes, clothes or bathing is limited. 
WOW . . . A record number of 23 women are participating in a new four month long sewing class sponsored by
“Impact. Make One.” . . . A compelling message from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, ranked the #1 most valued non-profit brand by Harris Interactive poll and recognized as one of the most trusted charities. 
Used or new tools needed (revised from April 1 posting) include 25 of each of the following: small Crescent (adjustable) wrenches, Channel Lock (slip-joint) pliers, hammers (regular or small size), slotted screwdrivers, Phillips screwdrivers, metric tape measures (regular or shorter lengths of 3m or 12’+). These sets of tools will be used to teach the classes then each participant will receive a set of 6 handtools in a zipper pouch (for tools up to 12″ long). In addition, we need 3-5 electric drills with various size masonry bits (i.e. 1/4″, 3/8″) for a small project to be made during class and installed in each participant’s home or organization’s facility. 
A pilot class(es) will be held during the 
Volunteer repair projects may be shall we say “less than glamorous” but so important in helping local organizations focus on what they do best . . . helping children and families. For example, last month we discovered the float in 
NUAFA and Vida Abundante Church both had broken toilet handles for months. The organization leaders didn’t know how to fix it so they coped by taking the top off the toilet and manually flushing it every time it was used. Can you imagine operating a daycare and trying to potty train children with a toilet that doesn’t flush? Or not having a fully functioning toilet for your church congregation, especially with a number of young children who can’t manage to lift the top off the back of the toilet? Mission volunteers repaired these in a few minutes with parts costing less than $2US.