Some background information for those who may have stumbled upon this blog unknowingly:
http://thepeoplesguidetomexico.com/blog/summary-of-tenacatita-violence/
http://thepeoplesguidetomexico.com/blog/required-reading-bimbo-bread-abandoned-resorts-and-a-revolution-betrayed-felisa-rogers-open-salon/
video:Tenacatita: Otra Playa Desalojada
(this video's in Spanish, but even if you don't speak the language, the visuals are enough)
So how CAN we help with morale-building for our friends in Rebalsito, things that serve the whole community and encourage the physical and emotional well-being of the rancho.
http://thepeoplesguidetomexico.com/blog/summary-of-tenacatita-violence/
http://thepeoplesguidetomexico.com/blog/required-reading-bimbo-bread-abandoned-resorts-and-a-revolution-betrayed-felisa-rogers-open-salon/
video:Tenacatita: Otra Playa Desalojada
(this video's in Spanish, but even if you don't speak the language, the visuals are enough)
So how CAN we help with morale-building for our friends in Rebalsito, things that serve the whole community and encourage the physical and emotional well-being of the rancho.
One immediate need is for laptops and/or netbooks. Almost all of the high school assignments require internet access. Many of the students have to go to cibers (places that rent computer time) which can get expensive. We gave one laptop last year to a young woman who's always been at the top of her class, until she started high school and had a hard time keeping up for lack of a computer. Now she's doing very well again, and is super grateful to the donors.
I've been taking a small groups of students (8-12 years old) birding once or twice a month for almost a year, as part of an environmental awareness program with a goal of enabling the students to eventually take tourists out birding. The kids are really into it and it's great for them to be out in nature, walking around, instead of sitting at home in front of the tube. A project I'd like to do with them is to make nesting boxes, so each person could have one in their yard.
My feeling is that the more exposure people get, the more likely it is that something will interest them. Learning by reading, watching TV, or surfing the internet is one thing, but hands on learning really gets people involved. One of the teachers in the middle school asked if there were any solar energy projects that could be done with the kids.
One thing we did several years ago, was connect a class in an elementary school in San Francisco with the equivalent class here. They exchanged letters and drawings (I helped with the translations). Unfortunately the teacher moved the next year, and the new teacher didn't want to continue. I guess with Facebook and the rest of the social media, pen pals are a thing of the past, but something along those lines might be fun.
Now it's your turn. Ideas, anyone?
Lovely idea Dobie - I'll put the word out I'm looking for used laptops to donate. Who knows??
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane!
ReplyDeleteI love the laptop project!
ReplyDeleteWhat is the adult literacy rate in the rancho? Is there a gap there to be filled or is most everybody literate?
I also like the nesting box idea. What would be needed? Materials? A plan? A couple of adults to teach the kids how to build them?
Jenny and Churps were kicking around the idea of personal histories to make the political realities human...I like that one a lot. In depth profiles...
Thanks for putting this together, Dobie. I hope we get a lot of comments and inspiration so we can collectively take action!
Don't know what the literacy rate is, but there are definitely big gaps. Many of the older people don't know how to read or write, and many of the middle-aged ones can read, if it's not too long or complicated. Some adults are now going to night classes held at the elementary school. Some are finishing their elementary education, others the equivalent of middle school. The single mothers who qualify for the government program "Oportunidades" receive a stipend for going, but only if they pass the exams. Apparently there are about 20 women going to classes. I think it's fantastic!
DeleteApril 3rd
ReplyDeleteDobie,if we had a few bucks to buy basketballs,I will volunteer to teach it and will be responsible for the balls.
I think we need to put up some baskets too. Great idea!
DeleteI like that one, Katerina. The more we can do for the youngsters, the better for everybody's morale!
DeleteTina here.
The other idea I want us to bring back and make real is the mango chutney fabrica. Dobie, are there any local women who would be into heading up production if we provided equipment? Just a start-up trial thing.
And do we know anyone there or among our extended group who knows marketing? I know there is all sorts of marketing of raw vegies by Pelon and Martin Martinez, but we need someone who know how to market a finished product.
I would LOVE to see all those mangos put to use instead of being dumped as rotting compost!
I hate to see them go to waste too, we need to make some value added products with mangoes - chutney, dried, pickled(?). This summer when I make chutney, I'll try to calculate the cost of ingredients per jar. I think we could first market them locally. There's government funding for these types of projects; applications are due in February. They use a complex formula to decide if your project is economically feasible (can you actually generate a profit).
DeleteLuckily there's someone in town who has experience with these applications - he's had several projects approved, and has helped others with their applications. He explained the basics to me.
Try this source, looks like they might help you:
ReplyDeletehttp://one.laptop.org/about/mission
Thanks Diane! I emailed them yesterday and explained our situation. Hope to hear from them soon.
DeleteThanks Diane! I wrote to them yesterday and explained our situation. Hope to hear from them soon. Mexico is on their list of countries they've given laptops to - over 57,000!
Delete