Tomorrow I go to “work”, so today I thought I would bring you up-to-date with “The Plan”.

Last week I met with teachers and officials of Las Joyas to discuss how they would like me to participate this year at the school.  I also met separately this week with teacher Janny who will be “official” assistant.

From the left: Director Javier, Teacher Janny, Vounteers Jose and Dina

I will say that the students are all excited and the teachers are both happy and helpful in getting things started.  So here is the plan:

The Reading Program: Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 11:45 to 12:30 children in the 5th and 6th grades will read from the many books you have donated.  They are required to read and submit 5 book reports this school year discussing what they learned from these books (not describing what the book was about).  The overall purpose is to increase reading, comprehension, thinking, writing and concentration skills.

The English Program: Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 12:30 to 1:15 children in the 5th and 6th grades will participate in this program.  (I believe this program is voluntary, but strongly recommended.)  I prepared a special workbook for them as a companion to a CD listen and repeat program.

Both of these programs will have monetary rewards and a big beach fiesta for those who attend and complete their assignments.

The Store: I am really excited to see if this works.  Beginning this week students will run their own store in the common area on Thursday afternoons.  They will sell much of the donated clothing, toys and other miscellaneous items you have donated.  Everything you donated will still get to the people who need them the most, but at a small price – which is in keeping with our philosophy teach self-sufficiency and not handouts.

The purpose is to teach life skills.  Money raised from this project will be shared by the students who participate and by the (unpaid) teachers of the school.  Students will have to pay me for the supplies (20 Pesos for each week’s delivery), inventory the incoming material, assign prices to the items, create a sign for the store and flyers for advertising, set up the store, sell the items, track inventory, reprice according actual sales data (charge more, hold a “sale”), account for the income and distribute the profits.  I probably left something out, but you get the idea.  I will take lots of pictures and keep you informed.

Food Program: Thanks to your donations, we will again have a healthy meal day (Thursdays).  The purpose is of course to make sure that on that day every student gets a healthy lunch.  I expect we will feed 150 or more each Thursday.

Volunteer Update:  The biggest news is the arrival of Mika Tanimoto. Before going off to grad school, Mika is going to give three weeks in November to teaching English to 1st grade, 2nd and 3rd grades combined, and 4th grade.  I am not sure of her schedule, but it is at least 3 days a week beginning next Monday.  Mika’s parents Lorine Tanimoto and Gary Story have turned out to be our most active supporters this year.  Lorine and Gary are my kind of folks.  They are practical people who, when they see something that needs doing, they do it.  They are this year’s biggest contributors to the Food Program simply because it is healthy for the kids.  Maybe nothing illustrates this better than Lorine coming to Las Joyas last week … in nasty weather no less … for her first look at the school.  School Director Javier gave us a tour of the area including proudly showing off the new flush toilet system.  Lorine immediately noticed the lack of toilet seats, and bingo, she measures the toilets and by Friday new toilet seats have arrived via Mika.  Three great cheers for Lorine, Gary and Mika.

Not afraid to get her hands dirty: volunteer Lorine with daughter Mika and Director Javier

Another thank you is to Shadia Garrison and her family who brought lots of goodies down here in June.  But I want to gather some more information and do a special posting to thank them properly.  “Shadia, your thank you is coming!”

Still awaiting the arrival of Gordon and Pam Huwa in their RV.  I am hoping they have had a safe drive down here and are possibly holed up at their new home under construction at a beach site about 3 to 4 hours north of Zihua.  Many of your donations are on board.  They are such a wonderful team!

Long-time volunteer Maria Elena (from US) retuned yesterday.  She does most of her work with Octavio Paz.  I will meet with her after she gets some rest and makes a visit to Octavio Paz.  I will try to support her efforts however I can. 

Well folks, that’s the plan.  I will keep you updated on how it is going.  Hasta luego, Memo