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Hola amigos. Lots happening regarding my involvement with the poor children and poor schools of Zihuatanejo. Just when I thought I would be pulling away, I am pulled back in. More in a moment, but first an update on my book (Journey to Zihuatanejo). After much thought and a little agony, I have decided not to publish a second edition. Too much work, too little profit.

There are about 55 copies left for purchase. Money raised from the sale of these books will be used by me to help fund middle school for Bernabe, Lizbeth, and Jose.

You can now purchase the book by credit card through PayPal. Click here if you are interested. And remember (this is a sales pitch, so you can skip this sentence if you want), many of you have your picture in the book … you may want to give it as a gift to loved ones so they will always have a picture and story about you.

I want to thank Galina Quigley and move her up to SuperHero status for her volunteer work in creating a special website that allows me to sell my book by using PayPal or a credit card. Galina is an extraordinary woman. She immigrated to the US about 5 years ago. Over the past 5 years she has learned English, gained a university degree, been the primary “bread-winner” for her family of three, and taught herself how to build websites. How she does it, I don’t have a clue, but kudos and muchas gracias Galina for your assistance.

There is another group of people I would like to thank. These are the folks who made very generous financial contributions that went toward schools supplies for four of the poorest schools in the area. Over the years I have discovered a wonderful couple who run a wholesale school supply in Zihua. It is the absolute cheapest way to buy regular school supplies and it sure beats carrying them down, especially if you fly.

So a heartfelt muchas gracias to the following Heros: William (Erv) and Claudia Bradley, Ken and Denise Nowack, Jeanne Hartley, Missy Welch, Bill and Mary Ratter, Sally Lewis, Victoria Johnson with Grace, Allison, Henry and my Anonymous Accountant.

I won’t put up all the pictures, but here are some that shows you a little of how the children were involved in the process … and showed their appreciation. All the Heroes received their own picture(s).

I would also like to thank Joy Hawkins for a large donation of high quality women’s clothes (amazing what happens when you decide it is really, really time to clean out your closets).

Good News/Bad News

Now I would like to share a good news/bad news story and how it keeps me closer to the schools that I thought I would be on my next journey. The good news is about a guy name Bill Overman. I met Bill casually on my last trip. He said he might like to get involved and he would get in touch. He did follow up and he said he would like to go down to Zihua and pick up some of the teaching I had been doing. He planned on four days a week for two months. He was also going to tutor kids on the English Language Rosetta Stone. Bill went out a bought two laptops and a 5-level Rosetta Stone program (top of the line). He also bought boxes and boxes of teaching aids. A true SuperHero!!!

Unfortunately now comes the bad news. Bill recently suffered a major heart attack. Fortunately he is recovering, but travel over the next year or so is out of the question. We tocayos (anyone with the same name, i.e. Bill and Bill) look out for each other, so I will return to do some teaching … not as much as in the past … and some tutoring … and figuring out how to make use of his enormous material contributions. (Javier, es bueno para Las Joyas!) So stay tuned for how this one turns out.

Bill, I am sure that everyone who reads this joins with me to wish you a complete and full recovery. And on behalf of the school(s) and the children, our gratitude.

Update on Karen

As most of you know, I am sponsoring a poor and very, very smart young woman named Karen as she works towards a business degree at the University of Guadalajara. She is a little more than half way there now. She continues to excel and I continue to be proud. By my count so far she has received 21 “A’s”, 2 “B’s, and one Pass. Here are her grades from the semester she finished last week.

Statistics: 100
Finance: 100
Operative Systems: 95
Accounting: 96
Labor Law: 88
Economy and Public Finance: 85

And she is off to summer school this coming week. Way to go Karen. Just for fun, if any of you would like to congratulate her (come on, we all like a little recognition for work well done) or wish her well, send her an email at: karen_z16@hotmail.com

Two Teens Teach

Finally, I want to praise a couple of young women from Chicago. Muchas gracias to Lindsey and Margaret, a couple of high school students who went one day to Las Joyas during Easter break to teach some basic English skills to the some of the lower grades. The kids enjoyed a break in routine and enjoyed the teens and the teens got a great experience.

So dear readers, keep in mind there are always opportunities. If you are a teacher, how about coming to Zihua for your Easter break and try a different kind of teaching? Know some high school or college students who would enjoy a teaching experience while still enjoying Paradise? Get in touch with me and we will make it happen.

Hasta Luego

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