" Educacion "
Is a "Magic Word" In Mexico and includes teaching children the finer points of culture, including; good manners,
respect for others and seniors, religious piety, loyalty to one's family, courage in the face of adversity,
self-respect and a highly honed sense of dignity.
Is a "Magic Word" In Mexico and includes teaching children the finer points of culture, including; good manners,
respect for others and seniors, religious piety, loyalty to one's family, courage in the face of adversity,
self-respect and a highly honed sense of dignity.
Los Ayala
School Fundraisers
School Fundraisers
Greetings from Orlando
It all started in 2005 when my friend Mario who is the leader of the extremely popular "Perez Brothers Dance Band" approached me and asked for my help to raise money for the Elementary school in Los Ayala. It is interesting to note that Mario has no children of his own. We sat down for some serious brain-compounding; persuading my wife Linda to join our meeting. Together we came up with the idea of a "Dessert Buffet and Dance".
The event is a No-Alcohol event that takes place in the school yard of the Escuela Primaria in Los Ayala. Desserts are made by many of the local Mexican women, but most of the desserts are generously donated by Canadians and Americans who have the luxury of having ovens in their homes and RV's. Held in January or February of each year, we have had several successful events, the last one in 2011 was attended by ~ 280 people, and we had enough desserts for everyone! Our extraordinary, Romy Mora rallies the community and the local townspeople every year, and every year everyone generously donates their time to help organize the tables, chairs
and clean up after the event.
Today the "Dessert Buffet & Dance" is one of the most popular annual events in Los Ayala; and the delicious! Everyone loves dessert and a great cause.
Many people ask me why a public school needs fund-raising to meet basic needs; as our schools in Canada do not. Here is how it seems to work in Mexico... The government builds the school and provides the teachers, but beyond that, the community is on it's own. It seems that support for maintenance, repairs and further improvements is seriously in short supply.
For example, when we viewed the school three years ago there were seventy-five children enrolled, and three teachers. The washrooms consisted of five individual stalls; each toilet was full of waste and none of them flushed; and there was no toilet paper. It was hard to hold back the tears. There was a crudely printed poster taped to the outside wall of the washroom above the wash basin. It instructed the students to clean their hands after using the facilities. Ironically, the sink had fallen off the wall and the plumbing was completely out of order.
One of the classrooms leaked water from a roof that needed repair, there were no air conditioners to provide the children with and comfort during the hot months; no shaded area for the children to sit and eat lunch; and the entire facility needed repairs and maintenance. Maintaining the schools to meet the most basic needs is an ongoing task, and the low-income earners in Los Ayala are so busy trying to support their families that they have no money or time to help the schools fix the problems that arise. Once the difference our help was making at the elementary school was clearly evident, the parents and teacher of the local kindergarten asked for my support. It was a request that I could not refuse.
Since 2005 I have been performing on Monday evenings during the winter at the "Pina Loca Restaurant" in Rincon de Guayabitos. I donate my time and entertain the crowd by playing the guitar and singing; and I love doing it! All of the monies donated to my "Tip Jar" are used to support Los Ayalas' Kindergarten. Many thanks to the patrons, and the owner "Mercedes" for allowing me to do this in her dining establishment. Pina Loca is a wonderful restaurant, serving authentic Mexican dishes. Do join us one Monday evening this winter!
It all started in 2005 when my friend Mario who is the leader of the extremely popular "Perez Brothers Dance Band" approached me and asked for my help to raise money for the Elementary school in Los Ayala. It is interesting to note that Mario has no children of his own. We sat down for some serious brain-compounding; persuading my wife Linda to join our meeting. Together we came up with the idea of a "Dessert Buffet and Dance".
The event is a No-Alcohol event that takes place in the school yard of the Escuela Primaria in Los Ayala. Desserts are made by many of the local Mexican women, but most of the desserts are generously donated by Canadians and Americans who have the luxury of having ovens in their homes and RV's. Held in January or February of each year, we have had several successful events, the last one in 2011 was attended by ~ 280 people, and we had enough desserts for everyone! Our extraordinary, Romy Mora rallies the community and the local townspeople every year, and every year everyone generously donates their time to help organize the tables, chairs
and clean up after the event.
Today the "Dessert Buffet & Dance" is one of the most popular annual events in Los Ayala; and the delicious! Everyone loves dessert and a great cause.
Many people ask me why a public school needs fund-raising to meet basic needs; as our schools in Canada do not. Here is how it seems to work in Mexico... The government builds the school and provides the teachers, but beyond that, the community is on it's own. It seems that support for maintenance, repairs and further improvements is seriously in short supply.
For example, when we viewed the school three years ago there were seventy-five children enrolled, and three teachers. The washrooms consisted of five individual stalls; each toilet was full of waste and none of them flushed; and there was no toilet paper. It was hard to hold back the tears. There was a crudely printed poster taped to the outside wall of the washroom above the wash basin. It instructed the students to clean their hands after using the facilities. Ironically, the sink had fallen off the wall and the plumbing was completely out of order.
One of the classrooms leaked water from a roof that needed repair, there were no air conditioners to provide the children with and comfort during the hot months; no shaded area for the children to sit and eat lunch; and the entire facility needed repairs and maintenance. Maintaining the schools to meet the most basic needs is an ongoing task, and the low-income earners in Los Ayala are so busy trying to support their families that they have no money or time to help the schools fix the problems that arise. Once the difference our help was making at the elementary school was clearly evident, the parents and teacher of the local kindergarten asked for my support. It was a request that I could not refuse.
Since 2005 I have been performing on Monday evenings during the winter at the "Pina Loca Restaurant" in Rincon de Guayabitos. I donate my time and entertain the crowd by playing the guitar and singing; and I love doing it! All of the monies donated to my "Tip Jar" are used to support Los Ayalas' Kindergarten. Many thanks to the patrons, and the owner "Mercedes" for allowing me to do this in her dining establishment. Pina Loca is a wonderful restaurant, serving authentic Mexican dishes. Do join us one Monday evening this winter!
Los Ayala School Fundraisers
Elementary Schools & Kindergarten in Los Ayala, Jaltemba Bay
Elementary Schools & Kindergarten in Los Ayala, Jaltemba Bay
Lending a Helping Hand
Anyone who wishes to assist in the cause of helping the children of Los Ayala, by volunteering their time; donating supplies or funds is asked to please contact Orlando at his winter home in Los Ayala, at 327-274-0952.
The schools in Los Ayala that benefit from this program are the Kindergarten school - "Jardin de Ninos - Amada Nervo", and the primary school "Angel Quintero Dominguez."
Anyone who wishes to assist in the cause of helping the children of Los Ayala, by volunteering their time; donating supplies or funds is asked to please contact Orlando at his winter home in Los Ayala, at 327-274-0952.
The schools in Los Ayala that benefit from this program are the Kindergarten school - "Jardin de Ninos - Amada Nervo", and the primary school "Angel Quintero Dominguez."
Magical
Wishing you an extraordinary and rewarding vacation in Los Ayala,
Nayarit!
Nayarit!
Orlando
Linda Jeannotte
Orlando
