qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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Based on recent posts, I think it is important that rvers who would like to volunteer in Mexico get the proper permission. I say this sadly, because some developed countries are well-known for taking advantage of poor and underprivileged children and women. Thanks mostly to the internet.
My personal advice is to seek written permission from local officials, education departments, and your local consulate before participating. We (U.S. and Canada) have a bad reputation in respect to pornography and parents are now well-aware of the dangers.
In my case, I work with a publisher who sends me to schools, institutions and universities. I always insist that a teacher or staff member is present in all of my workshops especially dealing with all female groups (right, wierd I know) and children. This is for my protection as well as the students.
Use common sense and remember that unfortunately, because of a small group of people, we wear a tag "at times" that can do us damage abroad.
In most cases, the best thing a foreigner can do, is donate to the DIF, Cruz Roja, Cruz Verde, Caritas, and other charitable organizations.
JMHO
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Good Point!
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Jonna
Mérida, Yucatan & Akumal, QRoo
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It is an unfortunate truth that the bad apples taint all the rest. When we are traveling in rural areas of Mexico and particularly when we are in Guatemala, we never give anything directly to a child. We do carry pencils, notebooks, cars, dolls, and other small gifts for kids but we only hand them to a parent and let them give them to the child. There are rumors that are believed true that gringos come and steal your children by offering them gifts. I don't know if it is true or not, I prefer to doubt it. I doesn't matter though as it is strongly believed and there can be very dangerous repercussions if you are not careful in all of your dealings with kids.
I always try to make eye contact and talk to the adults before I ever have any contact with the kids. It's hard sometimes as the kids come running up to the RV asking for candy or money. I don't like that much anyway but even if I have pencils and notebooks to give out, I find an adult first and ask. I would NEVER allow a kid to enter the RV without their mother, aunt or other female relative. Because we are women traveling alone, we never allow men in our RV. I have given tours to local women and their kids, but no kids and no men unaccompanied.
Jonna
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moisheh
North America
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Joined: 05/04/2002
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The best thing that RV visitors can do is work with a local charity or school. In Kino every child gets a kit of school supplies and a hygiene kit. If you have school supplies just go to the local schools. The teachers will know which kids are in need. A lot of people bring used clothing thinking they are really helping. Nice gesture but any of us can do better than a bag of rags. My wife and I have received boxes of High End used designer clothes for children, baseball and other sports equipment, baby blankets, GOOD used toys, kitchen utensils and more. We work with St. Vincent de Paul, schools and the Don Juan Navarette Foundation. They know where to distribute the items. If all else fails bring $ for the local charities.
Moisheh
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The Texan
Summer: A Cool Climate Winter: A Warm Climate
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One item the poor schools in the rural areas can use, is computer equipment for the teachers and classrooms. As Moisheh can attest to, this is the area in which we choose to provide to the schools of Viejo Bahia de Kino. We will be providing the elementary school with a newer model laptop this year, which will help bring some of the children into the cyberspace age.
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qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Everyone brings up good points about donating to schools. I'm sure most people know how the SEP (secretaria de educacion publica) functions but it is worth reiterating.
The SEP provides three things; the land, the building(s)and the teachers (hey, if people don't pay taxes where else do we get the money). The rest is up to the PTA and that is the purpose of "inscripciones". They vary between 200-800 pesos per student and can include a discount for more than one child per family. This money, along with any other monies raised by the PTA (for exampe, the snack shack used at recess) are used to maintain the school. Many times (myself being a teacher) the principal and the parents have very good intentions but do not know how to raise money nor allocate the funds appropriately.
The CFE (power company) does not charge the school for electricity. So, for example, in my town of Santiago, the schools are air conditioned and have safety lighting at night.
Keep in mind the following; municipalities respond to the squeaky wheel. Paint is sometimes available for free, or at a local paint factory by the kilo.
Also, it is sometimes important to volunteer in educating PTAs about the options as well as opportunities available from local and state governments as well as companies who can donate supplies, materials and labor.
My area is financial planning for lower-income families to show them how to get the best bang for their peso. I am currently involved in a project for employees of convenience stores who have limited education and income so that they can find scholarships, home loans, and to use their money wisely as well as provide savings for future emergencies.
As we all know to well the Chinese proverb; give someone a fish and they eat for today, show them how to fish and . . . . .
Many of you come from diverse and highly knowledgeable backgrounds and can provide more than just materials and money, but first-hand experience in many diverse fields.
Many of the parents think their children need education but at the same time, they themselves don't. The chain is never broken. Believe me, I have many first-hand experiences where three or four generations promise that their kids make it through high school. They never do. Why? Because all the generations before them have never completed primary or secondary and do not provide the most important step. EXAMPLE.
JMHO
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Jonna
Mérida, Yucatan & Akumal, QRoo
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You can also always drop off donations at the local Catholic church. The priests know as well who needs it the most. Many Catholic churches have signs in front that ask visitors not to give money to the children who beg, if you do then they will be kept out of school to beg. Give the money to the priest or a mission. Personally, I have a problem with the protestant missionaries down here, I think they trade money, food and stuff for members and that they have greatly disrupted the towns in which they exist. I prefer to give through the Catholic church for that reason although I am not a Catholic.
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