Los Niños de Chapala y Ajijic (NCA), with nearly 200 deserving Lakeside kids enrolled in their scholarship program, will stage its Third Annual Fundraising Dinner and Concert on Saturday, December 1 at the Lake Chapala Society.
The 35-year-old program makes it possible for many kids, who would not otherwise be able to, to continue their educations, even into university-level studies.
Administrating the funds and paperwork for so many students requires a support staff, and NCA employs two professionals in their Chapala center.Margarita Llona is the student/sponsor liaison manager who has more than 25 years experience working in support of children’s education. Paulo Arroyo, a graduate of the University of Guadalajara and also an alumnus of the NCA program, manages the NCA financial affairs. Both work closely with and are supervised by NCA board members.
Recently, NCA has expanded their in-house ESL (English as a Second Language) program by joining forces with IDEFT, a Jalisco State organization whose mandate is to train Jalisco youth in employment-enhancing skills. IDEFT provides the curriculum and an English instructor; NCA provides the classroom and native English speakers for conversational practice for the students.
The 150 individual sponsors have collectively provided more than 500,000 pesos in direct support of the students in 2012. The organization retains only five percent from each sponsor’s donation to support operating expenses. This is clearly not sufficient to cover overhead costs. The Chili Cookoff, American Legion Post 7, El Bazaar de los Niños and fund-raising events like the one coming up on December 1 are essential in providing the necessary funds to support the Chapala office and other operating expenses.
The event on December 1 will feature music by the band ANIKAN, Tony’s famous BBQ ribs and chicken, a complimentary margarita or soft drink, a 50/50 raffle and dancing until 11 p.m. – all for only 250 pesos. Tickets are on sale now at the Lake Chapala Society, Diane Pearl Colecciones, Actinver Ajijic, NCA Bazaar in Riberas del Pilar or by calling 765-7032.
Remember that nearly all of the children aided by NCA would not be able to stay in school without this important support.