This week has been a wild one!
Many of us never consider what a bunch of Americans might do
if they found themselves in a new world.
In this case Mexico!
I lived here in Cuernavaca for about three years before I found ¨them¨ the ExPats....I found them through my desperation
for an American style library. My daughter asked
me (about 2 months after moving to Mexico)
¨mommy, where are all the
libraries?¨ My heart
broke.
Had I made a mistake
coming back here? She was
six and she was accustomed to infrastructure.
What an important word that has become to me.
Well..... finally after several years of searching I found
the ¨American style library¨ my words, not theirs! From there
I got on the list serve and another world opened up
to me.... who knew? So just a word... before I
share what I just posted on the listserve...
The foreigners in Cuernavaca
are known as wild (spring
breakers) to many.
However,
we are also known
as a charitable, generouos
caring, and thoughtful people. In a
time where everyone is always repeating how
much Americans are despised everywhere we go, I
want to say that I don´t think that this is true, or at least not
a complete picture. Many people do seem to have a love-hate relationship with us.... but even that ¨haters¨ seem to recognize
the excellent things we (Americans) do when they are pressed.
So, I for one, am attempting to carry on this tradition with
what I think is a pretty incredible project with
my 5th and 6th grade monkeys... I
simply copied and
pasted!
oh, and a heads up... a barranca is a ravine, and
a tope is a speed bump....
Hello Community,
My name is Lucy and I have been living and working as a teacher here in Cuernavaca (this time) since 2008.
I have 5th and 6th grade at Excelencia Bicultural in the Pradera. I have always been proud of the Ex-Pat reputation at places like the Salvation Army. Our community is known for continueing the traditions of volunteering and giving outside of our home countries. I have always wondered why more people here don´t lend a hand. So over the years my students and I have tried different ideas... clean up the barranca (too much work) donate to Haiti... success.... I have seen my students really get motivated to help others... many of the kids and their families simply don´t know how or where to start. Until now.
My 5th graders identified a federal school for children with special needs whose famililes don´t have even the most basic supplies. My students decided to go along with the SEP (secretary of public education) calender´s value of the month which is generousity. They are accepting donations of all kinds and with the goal of going to the school at the end of February to donate the items and to play with the children. My students are also making friendship bracelets and keychains to collect money to buy school supplies. It is incredible to watch as I have put the project in their hands and simply guide when the hit the proverbial tope!
My 5th and 6th graders are starting an ongoing campaign of ¨adopting a classroom.¨ The director at my school is also a teacher in a federal school. He has identified 3 families whose children often miss class because they are searching for cardboard in the trash in order to get a few pesos to buy food. My students are attempting to provide these 3 families in particular with some food each week. As well as donating toys, school supplies, clothes, shoes, etc. to the children and their families in a 5th grade class at the same school.
I am writing to invite all of you to make donations at my school for the same purpose! I know my kids will do a great job but as my great aunt always says ¨many hands lighten the load!¨
Fruit from your trees, items from your homes that are in good condition, yet no longer useful to you. Really, these families are in need of everything. However, I do not feel comfortable with cash donations. If this is your intent, maybe ordering basic staples from a grocery store that delivers could be an option?
The office at Excelencia Bicultural is awaiting your donations between 7:30 and 3:30. I apologize in advance that I am unable to make pick ups, but honestly I am spread rather thin as it is. I am taking this project on with my students for as long as possible.... maybe years?
In the interest of clarifying, I don´t believe in enabling people, but I personally don´t feel like that is what we are doing. I feel that these kids need help and that they don´t have a way to get what they need without someone stepping in. When I asked my bosses for permission to contact all of you, I was quite proud to feel that I had back up from so many people, even though I don´t personally know many of you. If you are able to stop by my school, please consider asking for me so I can introduce you to my students. They would LOVE to speak to you in English, and I would love for them to see that we have a strong community here as well. Not to be redundant, but fruit from your trees as well as anything else you can spare will be greatly appreciated. I plan to post pictures of the kids in action so you can see the ¨fruits of their labor¨ (yes, the pun was intended)!
Thanks for all you do! |
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