Help kids to overcome educational lag in Mexico!

Greetings from Central Mexico,

The whole world is facing new norms. At Ojala ninos we have managed to continue with our after school program and workshops by facilitating smaller groups and using open air spaces. The children in the community of San Miguel Viejo still are only attending their formal academic classes two (2) days a week. Our afterschool programs along with our tutoring classes twice a week are helping our kids "overcome the educational lag" this pandemic has caused. 

We started out the new year with the traditional celebration here in Mexico of The Three Kings, Los Tres Reyes by distributing each child a new back pack! We served hot chocolate and the Rosca de Reyes brought smiles to everyone.

Wednesday's we continue distributing our at home activity kits. On average 50 children come to pick up their activity and lunch. Other days we offer Dance and Movement, Ballet, Music, Choir, English and very important, the tutoring. We have started a garden and soon hope to have a computer literacy class.

Follow us to see the progress made on our lot where we hope to have even more activities.

We are fortunate to be in an area with many foreigners who often volunteer their time and expertise. The kids are use to visitors and are happy to share their work and participate in new workshops. That's what we do at Ojala Ninos. We offer space, guidance and opportunity.

Our team of guides are dedicated to the well being and development of the community we serve. Thank you for your continued support of our efforts.

Sincerely

Betty Lopez

Hello

We are happy to report we were able to start providing small workshops again. From May 5th to August 25th of this year our attendance increased 23.4%

This does not surprise us as everyone was anxious to return to their normal and extracurricular activities. With your support we were ready with all the required signage and sanitary requirements and safety measures. We also have been able to provide a lunch on Wednesday's and a healthy snack following afternoon workshops the other 4 days.

One of the things we are very proud to have done, is finish the repair on our security and structural wall to the lot. Once that was done and we are able work in groups outside. The children with the help of local muralists painted a Mural on the outside of the wall.

The kids brainstormed the things that meant the most to them and that they wanted to represent. The Chapel in their community of San Miguel Viejo built in 1542. Their indigenous Indian tradition headress. A heart because we are in the heart of Mexico. Corn. Corn has been a staple of Mexico forever. The Parroquia in today's San Miguel Allende and a Monarch butterfly as we are in their migration path in the winter. The, kids, their parents, past alumni, and many volunteers made it a great community project.

Again Id like to mention the many volunteers that although are sometimes temporary are non the less a valuable asset to our program. We have a young dancer offering ballet classes during her extended stay here and we have a returning volunteer teaching the children chess.  This was a class we offered before and it is so great for critical thinking as well as fun! Most importantly we are offering tutoring classes in both primary and secundaria age kids. Most of our kids education was put on hold during Covid.

We continue to be forever grateful for your continued support and hope you'll follow our progress in this upcoming new year.

Stay well

Betty Lopez