Posts Tagged ‘Laguna San Ignacio’

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English Immersion in Laguna San Ignacio

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

The community of Laguna San Ignacio has placed the need for an English immersion course at the top of their priorities since the inception of our work with them in 2007.  In response, Philanthropiece sent down Deb Halstead, volunteer extraordinaire, to provide an English Language program.  This program is a 10 week commitment, with classes meeting 5 days a week for 4 hours each day.  Below is an update from Deb that clearly shows the success of the program!

I got a hug today—from my student Debora Maciel.  I want to share her story because it speaks to the reason Philanthropiece conceived the English Language project, Baja School Friends supports the project, and the reason I volunteered to spend 4 months designing and implementing the program.

Debora is an artist.  She learned to paint about 7 years ago, and has since started making beautiful items from recycled materials, including paper mache turtles and whales.  She sells her art at the various tourist camps during the whale watching season (January to April), but has had a struggle to understand what the tourists are saying to her.  Usually she would have to ask someone to help her with the transactions, and on more than one occasion “someone” wasn’t available.

I spent several hours with Debora at her home shortly after we began the classes, and she shared with me both her art and her dreams.  This visit became the basis for our first of several “special topic classes”.  Such fun!!  The entire class was animated and intrigued to learn more about Debora’s art, and enjoyed doing role plays with “artists” and “customers”.  Roberto, Noe, and Daniel are the stars in our Special Class on “Selling Art”.

Yesterday she took her art to the tourist camp Kuyima to sell to Grupo Tortuguero, a research group that is currently lodging there. When she arrived early for class today (as she almost always does!) I asked her if she had sold many things at Kuyima.  Her face just lit up.  “Yes!!” She said.  “Lot’s of things!!  Muchos y muchos!!”  She was so excited!  “I could understand them!!  And they knew what I was saying!!  And they were so nice to me!!  And they bought so many things!!  Thank-you, thank-you!!  Because you helped me I could do that!!”  We exchanged a great big hug…and were even a bit teary eyed…

More about Grupo Tortuguero…who generously invited me to bring my students to speak with them at Kuyima this past Sunday night.  This was a spur of the moment invitation, but 4 of my students (Maria, Victoria, Pedro, and Santiago) courageously showed up to try their conversational skills with a room full of English speaking researchers and their assistants.  Talk about confidence building!  “If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere…”  They were all tries and smiles, if not always sure of the English swirling around them.  I still see Santiago at Kuyima, nodding gamely while the tech guys tried to explain how they were repairing the monitoring device!

One of the great things about both these stories is that several of these students are not the “best” at English.  Several of them tested near the bottom of the beginning level when they started.  They’ve come to class, arrived on time (well…mostly), helped with extra projects, done their homework, and acted on the personal suggestions I’ve given them.  Most importantly, they are part of a supportive community of classmates and relatives who are willing to mentor and practice with them.

When I started teaching here I really wasn’t sure what to expect on many levels.  I’m happy to say that the majority of my students have exceeded my expectations, and 11 of the initial core of 16 are still “standing” 7 intensive weeks later, after 35 classes.  Eleven classes left to go, and graduation is on December 18th!

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Youth Global Leadership in Laguna San Ignacio

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

A group of youth, from Philanthropiece’s Youth Global Leadership program, are currently in Laguna San Ignacio.  They are in the final stages of  designing the YGL program and are assisting Philanthropiece with some essential, on the ground work.  Below is a post from Lee Lazar, Philanthropiece Advisory Board Member and one of the trip leaders, after the groups’ first full day in Laguna San Ignacio.

Greetings YGL fan club members,

Today was our first full day in the Lagoon so I would like to bring you up to date a bit.

First, here is a quiz for you. The answers are at the bottom.

 Question Number 1

For our first meal in Mexico, we ate:

A.    Arroz con frijoles, rice and beans

B.     Arroz con pollo, rice with chicken

C.     Sushi and tempura

Question Number 2

 For our second meal, we had:

A.   Arroz con frijoles

B.   Arroz con pollo,

C.   Bean sprout with avocado sandwich on whole wheat bread

(See answers below.)

Next, I will share one worst and one best so far.  

Worst moment

The fourth or fifth or sixth or seventh or eighth time our overnight bus driver turned on the interior overhead lights on the bus to let passengers on throughout the night on our 12 hour journey south to the town of San Ignacio.

Best quote, a tie

 Referring to our toilet on the bus as we cruised down the highway, Peter said, “I didn’t know whether to sit down or stand up”; in other words, I didn’t know whether to fall off or fall in.  Peter also said, referring to one of the many home made fresh daily salsas that we have, “try a teaspoon of that one and you will remember it in a month”.

We arrived in La Laguna early yesterday afternoon after our plane ride, van ride, bus ride, car ride and truck rides from San Diego to Laguna San Ignacio.  With about an hour left to our journey, on the very bumpy dirt road from San Ignacio town to the lagoon, we stopped for a stranded motorist.  The locals explained how you would never, ever pass a stranded motorist, and indeed, three cars stopped even though the road is not heavily traveled, and each driver launched into their stories of a time they were stranded and the people that helped them and how it would be absolutely inconceivable not to stop in a small town such as this whether or not you knew the fellow travelers.  Ironic, I thought to myself, since so much about what we read is related to violence in Mexico.  I wouldn’t stop for a stranger on the highway if I were headed into my town of Boulder.  At any rate, the stop lead to more stops for popsicles, to say hi to this family or that, and in due time we arrived in La Freidera where we are staying at Antonio’s Baja Expeditions camp.  

Last night, even though we all slept poorly the night before the trip because of our anxiety, and slept even worse on the overnight bus, our group accepted an invitation to a Quinceñera of one of Jordan’s English students.  Eventually, everyone would arrive, but our group went on the early side and after a bit of live music and dancing left by eleven.  

It’s dusty here despite our proximity to the water. Today, we spent the morning interviewing fishermen in the community of El Cardon here in the lagoon.  This is part of our work for Philanthropiece and it gave the YGLers a chance to practice their Spanish, meet many new people and hear interesting and in at least one case riveting stories about fishing life.  In the afternoon we took a boat ride with some of Jordan’s English students, from El Cardon, out to the mangroves where they fish and on to a little mangrove island.  We have captured some post card perfect scenes, at least in our mind, of warm waters, kids jumping of f their fishing boats to swim, herons perched like sentries on the top of the fisherman’s boats, the sun dropping to the horizon with its cast of light on the water.

Tonight we continued with our task of designing the YGL program and set out the schedule for tomorrow … helping to build an earthship house with a local family and some of Jordan’s students whom we met today and then interviewing fisherman from a different community about their lives as fisherman.  We wonder if they too see fishing as a vanishing way of life in this region.

As I write to you all, YGLers are gathered at a camp fire that the hosts built to welcome us some more to the lagoon.  YGLers are saying that one of the best parts of the trip so far has been to be a part of the community gatherings because of the relationships that Philanthropiece has here.

We are having fun, the kids are getting along really well, and we are all well with but a few scrapes, a touch of fatigue and some dusty contacts to report.

Your children are the best we could have chosen for this mission.

Abrazos,

Lee

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On Development, Empowerment, and Baseball

Monday, May 17th, 2010

As Jordan Bailey wraps up his tenure as Philanthropiece’s Community Liaison in Laguna San Ignacio, Baja, Mexico, he leaves much as his legacy. Jordan’s work included developing and implementing an English language program for both teachers and students; growing our Health Initiatives program by facilitating trainings, clinics, and the progression of the Health Care Coordinators group; strengthening our Small Business Loan Program by developing a financial education component; and coordinating efforts with a number of NGO’s and local organizations to realize further programming and empowerment in the community.

Perhaps the accomplishment nearest and dearest to Jordan’s heart, however, is the revitalization of a youth baseball team. While Jordan is preparing to hand over the direction of the team to a local dad and a community baseball committee, he shared with us his thoughts on how a youth baseball team fits into our overall vision of community development and empowerment:

• Baseball encourages youth development: When Jordan gathered The Laguneros back in the fall, the team was unmanageable and undisciplined. Sensing that the boys were seeking a role model and structure, Jordan led the team by emphasizing cohesion, skills, and commitment. At the end of the season, the team was rewarded by being able to make an overnight trip to play in a tournament in San Juanico. As is tradition, each Lagunero spent the night in the home of one of the host-players. For most of the boys, this was the first time traveling to this town, and spending the night away from their homes and families. When it was over, all of the kids were asking, “¿Cuándo vamos a visitarles otra vez?” – When are we going to visit them again? Baseball afforded this group of boys an opportunity to safely stretch their comfort zones, to be a part of a positive group experience, and to gain confidence in themselves.

• Baseball facilitates social camaraderie: Social camaraderie is an extremely important aspect of the Mexican culture, and even more vital in Laguna San Ignacio, due to its rural location and small size of the community. The majority of the social events in the community are school events, birthday parties, and sporting events. The Laguneros presented a reason for the community to come together, to have a purpose to assemble and celebrate. Even The Laguneros practices have a handful of onlookers, while more than half the community attended their games. Jordan estimated that at their last game in San Juanico, more than 100 cars were at the baseball field (which, it must be noted, was located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean!).

• Baseball initiates community leadership and pride: Both hosting other teams and traveling to play games required much community involvement. The coordination of the overnight trip, for example, included: the baseball players, coaches, parents, teachers, the community baseball committee, the mayor, and local business people (the gasman, mechanic, grocery-store owner). As in all communities, people like to feel that they are a part of something bigger. The youth baseball team has afforded community members the opportunity to join together for a common goal, with both emotional and financial support.

• Baseball promotes economic opportunity: In late April, The Laguneros hosted the team from San Ignacio. The event prompted the appearance of local vendors: Octaviano sold hot dogs, Maldo offered ice cream, Moni vended her tamales, and Karina sold sodas. With over a hundred fans at the game, this event produced a great economic opportunity for multiple families.

The famous Red Sox player Bill Lee once said, “Baseball is the belly of society. Straighten out baseball and you’ll straighten out the rest of the world.” A telling commentary as Jordan prepares to hand management of The Laguneros over to the charge of local dad Valentino and the community of Laguna San Ignacio.

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Whale Watching for the children of Laguna San Ignacio

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

by Morning Glory Farr, Advisory Board Member

No sooner had I stepped out onto the dusty, windswept landscape of Laguna San Ignacio than I saw Antonio and Maria Aguilar stepping out from their house, walking towards me across their pebbled driveway.  I dropped my bags and quickly jogged towards them and was welcomed with a mélange of ‘Holas’ and smiles and cheek kisses and hugs.  They instantly invited me into their kitchen for a deliciously fresh-cooked halibut filet and a catch-up on all that had happened in their lives since I last saw them, almost a year previously.  As I sat at the table, I had the most comforting feeling, a feeling that came from knowing that I had returned ‘home’.

I had arrived in LSI to represent Philanthropiece at the 10th anniversary celebration of the defeat of the Mitsubishi saltworks plan and to take part in the 2nd annual environmental education program that I had helped to start when I was living and working in LSI as the community liaison last year.  After my meal and catch-up with the Aguilars, I headed over to an evening symposium held for community members and visiting NGO’s who were also in town for the anniversary celebration. The palapa was abuzz with conversation and it was a chance for me to reconnect with many more friends and community members from the previous year.  It was also a nice chance for the community to reflect on how far they had come over the past years.  I sat on a panel and got the chance to talk with community members regarding their concerns and hopes for the continued development of LSI. It felt good to be at the front of the room, discussing Philanthropiece’s ongoing projects, knowing that we are making a real difference and having a positive impact on the LSI community.

LSI kids Whale WatchingAt 9:00 the next morning, I met at the primeria school, where over 100 excited students waited to board two buses, which would take them to the water’s edge, where all the folks from the previous night’s symposium waited, to see the children off on what was for many their first whale-watching trips.  Twelve pangas (wooden fishing boats) and their driver’s services had been donated for the children’s special whale-watching excursion by all the local eco-tourism outfitters.  Several outfitters had also donated their bus and a lunch for the children after their trips.  It was a wonderful collaboration between many different groups and the fulfillment of a vision that I had last year when Steven Schwartz and I started the first environmental education program from the school children of LSI.  

Looking for whales in LSIMy remaining time in LSI was a chance for me to take a couple trips to see the beautiful gray whales out in the lagoon and to see all of the projects that Jordan Bailey, the current community liaison, has been working on.  Some were a continuation of programs that I had helped develop and some were created from his own initiative.  It felt good to see all the energy and momentum that the projects had and it helped remind me that my relationship to the LSI community was continuing to grow and change.  More than anything else, I think my return ‘home’ to LSI gave me the opportunity to feel proud to be a part of Philanthropiece, proud to be a part of something larger than myself and yet, something that has also shaped who I am and who I have become over the past year.

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Talkin’ Trash in the Baja

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Submitted By Lynn Thoré and Leal Lauderbaugh

trash with flies

trash with flies

As I reflect upon our trip to Laguna San Ignacio in July, my thoughts return to the beautiful, barren, desert coastline of the Baja that is simultaneously magical and harsh.  This is the calving ground for grey whales and is an environmentally protected World Heritage site. It is truly a spectacular spot on planet earth: one worth working diligently to preserve.  

 

Our time in the lagoon began with Jesus Mayoral and his fiancée, Sabrina, who hosted us at Pachico’s Ecocamp. Jesus’ family was one of the first to settle in the lagoon years ago.  I first met Jesus a year and a half ago when he approached Philanthropiece, told us of his vision for a clean lagoon and asked if we could assist him with this project. We have been working with Jesus and the community of Laguna San Ignacio since that time.  Although this visit to the lagoon was to help facilitate a community waste disposal meeting with representatives from the various factions in the lagoon and surrounding areas, one of the highlights of the trip was our drive to outlying fishing villages to view how they dispose of their waste.

 

We began our adventure late in the afternoon, as Jesus, Sabrina, Leal, friends and I piled into two cars.  Zooming along the salt flats was a welcome relief from the rutted, pothole-laden roads leading into and around the lagoon. Our first stop was El Delgadito, a fishing village at the end of a peninsula.  Just before we reached the village, we crossed a raised dirt road that ran across the lagoon like a bridge.  As I gazed out the window toward the water, the lagoon was white as snow.  I was confused.  For a moment, I was transported to the wind-blown, snow-covered mountain lakes of winter in my Colorado home, but it was 90 degrees here and we definitely were not in Colorado. 

I asked Rita, “Is that salt?”

“Yes,” she said. 

We had to stop and play! 

 

Salt Angels

Salt Angels

We all got out and ran towards the lagoon and the thick crust of salt crystals.  Even Diente, Jesus’ dog, came along.  We slid, jumped, laid down, made salt (snow) angels, and pried up chunks of salt to taste.  Mmm – delicious sea salt!  What a delight.  Jesus told us that the village fisherman come here regularly to gather this salt to cure their fish.

 

We continued on, and as we approached El Delgadito, the roadside was strewn with mounds of garbage. Abandoned, rusted vehicles sat on the salt flats, a stone’s throw from the sea, leaching their contaminants into the lagoon.  I was struck by the juxtaposition of the ugly trash and rotting cars silhouetted against the backdrop of the beautiful lagoon, as a heron stood motionless in the marsh, patiently fishing for its dinner. 

 

We then drove to El Dátil and saw the same gorgeous, quiet, peaceful landscape, marred by garbage everywhere.  The residents live amidst their trash.  It damages the environment and health of their families. As we watched the sun set in this little village, I considered how communities like this exist all over the world and how we humans have created such a mess of our dear planet.  We must find a healthier, more sustainable way to live.  It strengthened my conviction to do what I can to make a difference.

 

The community waste disposal meeting was a success. The community members unified and were inspired to take responsibility for protecting their fragile ecosystem. They established the Laguna Limpia (Clean Lagoon) Committee and are implementing a viable waste disposal program. A new dumpsite was identified and the committee is seeking approval from the Ejido (land owners). The people in this Baja region rely on fishing and whale watching to survive. Perhaps it is the whale’s song that whispers to them, and calls for them to be good stewards of the land and sea.

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Meet our new Community Liaison to Baja!

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

jordanmoto

 

 Philanthropiece is pleased to introduce our new Community Liaison for our Baja programs!  Jordan landed in Laguna San Ignacio less than a week ago and is already hard at work fixing energy systems – the word in the community is that he is an electrical engineer.  While I don’t remember that particular piece in his resume he does have an array of experiences that he brings to the position.  Keep reading below to learn more about our newest Community Liaison, Jordan Bailey.  

 Jordan Bailey, Baja Community Liaison

Jordan Bailey comes to Philanthropiece with experience working in community development both domestically and internationally. From 2005-2007, Jordan served in the Peace Corps in rural Ecuador. During that time, he managed 200 students, teaching subjects ranging from Environmental Education to English. In collaboration with these students, Jordan wrote a successful grant for a trash management project, which considerably cleaned up the image of the community.

 

In addition, while in Ecuador, Jordan created a sustainable local arts/crafts project that focused on fabrication of handmade jewelry and recycled paper that was sold to tourists who frequently visited the area. The money that was generated was used to acquire seedling bags for a community tree nursery (that Jordan helped to establish). Jordan also implemented a number of other programs during his time in the Peace Corps. These include: tutoring for environmentally friendly field trips, facilitation – through the Peace Corps Gender and Diversity program – of university sponsor identification for several high school girls, and a teen movie night.

 

Back from Latin America, Jordan continued his “giving back” ways by developing and conducting weekly English classes for Non-Native English speakers in his home town of Snowmass, CO. He also organized and completed a solo 1,000 Mile Bike Expedition from Aspen, CO to Banning, CA to raise money for Camp del Corazon, a non-profit organization designed to give children with heart conditions a week of summer educational camp.

 

As the Philanthropiece Community Liaison in Baja, Jordan will support our ongoing programs that focus on education, health, small-business loans, and environmental initiatives.

jordansunset

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