In early October (2003) - a group of 12 Canadian Rotarians
and spouses came to Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa to learn more about the needs
of the Netzahuatcoyotl Indigenous School. Not only did they learn how
much work Rotary and others in the community have accomplished in the
area already but they identified further needs and other schools which
require International Community assistance.
It all dates back to about 5 years ago - when one of
the Canadian Rotarians heard about the Netza School, and their needs
as a growing and important part of the Indigenous community. 2 years
ago - the Royal City Rotary Club in New Westminster BC Canada heard
that a dormitory was badly needed to provide housing for many elementary
students who had to travel long distances to be able to attend the newly
built and fast-growing school.
In July 2002 - the Royal City Rotary raised their first
$3000 for the project - when they entered a team into the Indy 2002
Bike race in Vancouver BC. However - their President, Ron O'Genski,
wanted to see more happen - and hoped to turn this into some form of
Hands-on project to bring the needs "home" to Canadian club
members. So the idea of a trip in Oct 2003 was born.
Two Vancouver area club participated in this trip -
with most from the Royal City New Westminster Rotary Club, and a couple
from the Burnaby Rotary Club. With the generosity of El Tamarindo Residence
in Zihua - the group was able to stay together, meet with local clubs
and visit the Netza school, as well as other schools with great needs.
The Canadians brought with them kits for each of the dormitory kids
of the Netza school - kits with shampoos, towels, toothpaste, toys,
crayons, books, soaps, and more.
Unfortunately, the temporary dorm which had been in
use in former years was no longer available, however it was expected
that with community and the great support of the Zihuatanejo Rotary
Club, a temporary dorm would be up and running within weeks, and that
plans for a permanent building to house 100 students could be realized
over the coming year or so, depending on fund-raising efforts which
would begin immediately.
Also
- the Canadians brought with them a T-shirt for each of the 340 students
of the Netza school as well as the 15 or so staff members teaching at
the school. Each shirt had the name of the school on it - as well as
the Canadian/ Mexican flags, and the "Rotary wheel". These
were presented to each student by the 12 Rotary representatives at a
morning ceremony at the school, where the students sang "Cielito
Lindo" in Nahautl language to the group - and the Rotarians responded
by singing O Canada for the students.
The local Mexican Rotary Clubs (1 in Zihua and 2 in
Ixtapa) were magnificent hosts for the visiting group of Canadians,
inviting the 12 to participate in their local meetings, and in tours
of Rotary projects accompanied by Rotary District Governor Rafa Mora
from Cuernavaca. It was during one of these tours that the group was
shown a mountain top pre-school that had a student enrollment of 35
but nothing but a dirt floor and no furnishing whatsoever. The group
learned that recent Mexican legislation had made 3 years of pre-school
education obligatory - but that the buildings and equipment to fulfill
this challenge not yet in place in all areas - especially in the poor
areas of the state of Guerrero. So the Canadian group of twelve along
with several members from the Ixtapa Tercer Milenio Rotary Club (3rd
Millenium) took the volunteer teacher with them shopping. The building
that on the Friday of the first visit had nothing but slap board walls
and no doors or security - by Monday morning had painted walls, tables
and chairs, blackboard and chalk, books and crayons, cupboards to store
supplies, a lockable door and secure windows, and lots of happy faces.
The two Rotary groups - the Canadians and the Mexicans, both pledged
their support determined that this was just the beginning as there is
much yet to do, and could not wait to meet again to see the new Tercer
Milenio Kinder on solid footing in the near future.
Although the 9 or 10 day trip for the Canadian group
was very busy and sometimes wet and tiring in the final days of rainy
season, it was also a time for social activities and friendships that
none of them will forget as they met many new acquaintances amongst
the local Rotary community. The Canadian group want to express their
sincere thanks to both the Zihuatanejo Rotary Club and the Ixtapa Tercer
Milenio Rotary Club for their wonderful hospitality and their giant
efforts to make their communities better places to live - especially
for the children.
Should any Rotary groups or others be interested in
assisting with either of the aforementioned School projects (Netza Dormatory
/ Tercer Milenio Pre-school) which will be jointly administered by Canadian
and Mexican Rotary Clubs under Matching Grant applications - further
information can be received by emailing:
Nancy Nikolai
Past President of the Royal City Rotary Club - New Westminster BC Canada
nico@telus.net
A final thanks goes to a couple people who assisted
greatly in this International endeavour. Thanks to Marina Hernandez,
who in her capacity as Director of the Netza school, made our day trips
to the Netza school very special - and who assisted tremendously with
the official start-up of the Tercer Milenio school. Thanks also to Lisa
Martin - a Rotarian in Massachusetts who spearheaded the Rotary Matching
Grant process along with the Zihua Rotary group which made possible
the success of the Netza school in its new buildings overlooking Zihua
Bay - with its overwhelming enrollment of 340 students - and growing!
Truly Rotary at work - hands helping other hands to make a better world!
