For decades, both Americans and Canadians have been supporting efforts to provide young Oaxacans with improved education; donating not only their time and expertise, but also books and related educational resources, food and clothing to make attending school easier for children of families with very limited resources, and cash. But while US taxpayers have been able to deduct donations to certain registered Mexican charities from their income, Canadians have not. Finally change is in the wind, as a result of CANFRO, Canadian Friends of Oaxaca Inc. Continue reading Canadian Friends of Oaxaca→
We, and many in our Huatulco community, have long been astonished at our friend Carminia’s command of the English language. Her enormous vocabulary, unaccented pronunciation, and ability to translate Spanish into English for audiences have amazed many of us. For several years we attributed her ability to her years of living in the U.S. But then, as we began to meet her childhood friends who were also fluent in English and who had spent less time in English-speaking countries, we realized that the common factor was their matriculation in the American School. Continue reading The American School→
In English North American culture there is a long tradition of ‘educational hero’ films that show the power that one great teacher can make in the lives of many. In Dead Poets Society, Robin Williams’ individualism saves the boys from becoming shallow men of industry, in Lean on Me, Morgan Freeman’s strict principal transforms the challenged school into a place where students look to the future. In Dangerous Minds Michelle Pfeiffer’s tough marine teacher goes against the odds and earns the respect of her ghetto students and makes them envision a greater future for themselves.
By contrast in Mexico there is an absence of these kinds of films. What does this tell us about the value of education? In English North American culture we accept the premise that education will set you free of whatever circumstance you find yourself. Continue reading Valuing Education→
In 2000, land clearing began in what is now the community of Bahia de Salchi, part of the neighboring Cuatunalco. Today there are 39 homes; 2 American and 2 Mexican owned, and the rest are Canadian, giving it the nickname, The Canadian Village. Continue reading Communities Working Together→
Last month the Huatulco Eye and friends hosted a painting day at the Huatulco Jose Vasconcelos Municipal Library located on Guarumbo in La Crucecita. The task was to get kids to paint an entry for the annual ‘Niño y la Mar’ contest which is put on jointly by Mexico’s Council for Culture and Arts and the Secretary of the Marina- Armada. Each state will have a first prize winner, who will travel (with a parent) to the Presidential home, Los Pinos, and to the Port of Veracruz. Continue reading Painting Day at Huatulco Library→
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