The Mexican Schools Project is a grassroots organization that assists rural Mexican communities in addressing their educational priorities.
The group, led by Comox Valley resident Bob Johnson, works to meet the basic needs of school-age children in Cabo Corrientes, a remote area south of Puerto Vallarta. Past projects include remodelling existing schoolhouses, providing healthy school bathrooms, clean water, school supplies and basic academic resources.
The group has completed annual projects since 2002 in conjunction with Canadian Rotary Clubs. This year the goal is to build a minimum of four outdoor washrooms for the school children.
“Proper sanitation is seriously lacking and it’s something we can help with by building new washrooms,” says Johnson. “Each washroom we build costs around $5,000, and with the support of the Comox Valley’s Strathcona Sunrise and Cumberland Centennial Rotary Clubs as well as the Qualicum Daybreak, Nanaimo North and the Lantzville Rotary clubs, we are committed to building and repairing a minimum of seven washrooms this fall.”
Not only will Rotarians and Mexican Schools Project build washrooms, volunteers will drive down in a “convoy” of donated vehicles. Stopping along the route to speak to Rotary clubs, the group hopes to fill the vehicles with school and medical supplies, clothing and more for the children of Cabo Corrientes. These vehicles and the supplies will stay in the community.
“So far we have an ambulance, a special-needs school bus, a Chevy Tahoe and a Honda CRV donated, "says Bayne Mann, Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club member and volunteer driver. “If you have a suitable vehicle in good running condition you want to donate we will find a driver to deliver it to Mexico.”
The volunteers leave the Comox Valley on Oct. 28. Your generous donation will be of great assistance in the success of this initiative.
“The more money we raise, the more we can do to help the children of Cabo Corrientes live healthier and more productive lives,” adds Johnson.
The group needs cash donations to cover construction costs of potentially more washrooms as well for expenses such as fuel costs getting the vehicles to Mexico.
To make a donation go to http://igg.me/at/banos/x/4637895 or call Bayne Mann at 250-702-4633. To learn more about Mexican School Projects go to www.mexicanschoolsproject.com or follow the project in Facebook at www.facebook.com/mexicoconvoy2013.
— Mexican Schools Project