A big thank you to all of you who helped us achieve our goal! Your generosity is very much appreciated. We’re now in the process of handing out scholarships.
Please help change a life by donating today. We have only $2,700 more to meet the Jean and Boyd Christensen Family Challenge, where they will match every donation.
Day 6 we made our way to the ruins of Palenque. It was pretty amazing to spend the day there learning and exploring. After Palenque we made a stop at Misol’Ha and got to swim at the waterfall, and do a little cliff jumping. Though the site seeing was fun and exciting, if you asked anyone in our group what the highlight of the trip was, I’m pretty sure the reply would be building the school in La Virginia.
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes.” Marcel Proust
After working hard, it was time to enjoy some of the sights and tourist attractions of Mexico. On day 5 we made the excursion to the ruins of Yaxchilan. This included a 30 min long boat ride on the river that separates Mexico from Guatemala. The ruins are tucked away in a remote corner of the jungle, which makes visiting them exciting, since they’re truly off the beaten path. Everyone had a great time learning about the history of the ruins, treking through the jungle and swinging on vines.
Three Classrooms, 20 stoves an english class, a health class, the distribution of over 400 pairs of children’s shoes and our stay in beautiful La Virginia had come to an end. We were treated to a program put on by the school kids, complete with authentic Mexcian dances, musical numbers and Coca Cola. It was great to sit down and look at what we had accomplished in just a few days. It’s a unique experience to be able to go into a community, to live and work with the people, even if it’s just for a few days. There’s no better way to get to know someone than to work with them. We said our good byes and left on the same nissan trucks that brought us there, wrapping up our stay at La Virginia.
Day three was a long day, but we were able to get a lot done. The school went from a few walls, put up the night before, to a three classroom school in just one day. As light faded the last panels were put on the roof to complete the school. All that was left for the next day was some finishing touches inside the classrooms, such as paint touch up, or electrical wiring.
Twenty stoves were installed throughout the community. People who live in the highlands of Mexico have cooked their food over open flames inside their homes for many years. This affects their health, causing respiratory illnesses, stunted growth and other issues. By installing stoves that effectively divert smoke to the exterior of the home, we hope to create a much healthier home environment.
It was a long day, everyone was exhausted, but the amount of work that we were able to accomplish was pretty amazing.
On the second day we got into a large tour bus that took us to a fork in the road. At that point we unloaded everything and filled up half a dozen Nissan trucks, with supplies and people and were transported to the Community. We were greeted by students holding signs, welcoming Foundation Escalera and all the different families. We were treated to a great opening ceremony, filled with dancing, music and speeches. After all the celebrations we immediately started work on the construction of the school as well as installation of the stoves. It was a long first day, but no one really noticed. Everyone was just excited to be in La Colonia working on the school.
On December 26, expeditioners arrived in Chiapas, Mexico. Day one was spent recovering form a long flight, getting acquainted with San Cristobal, and an authentic Mexican dinner at Na Bolom. Everyone was excited to be eating tacos, buying things from the market, and to be in beautiful San Cristobal.
Eric comes from a simple background, but has worked hard at his studies and is currently at Benemerito on his way to becoming a doctor. We had a chance to sit with him and get some of his story. Enjoy.
Litzy Ramirez is a 7 year old student from Oaxaca (one of the poorest states in Mexico). She is a recipient of an Escalera scholarship. We received a touching thank you letter from her, expressing her gratitude for the scholarship and promising to do her best to behave and get good grades. Then she drew a picture at the bottom, depicting her giving the letter Escalera. It’s great to see such a young student be so appreciative of the scholarship she is receiving. Thanks to all of you who contribute and make this possible.
