The owners of an Ajijic bed and breakfast are spearheading a program to find sponsors to underwrite the education of children enrolled at a community center in an economically challenged Chapala neighborhood.
Steve Cross and Fernando Gomez of Casa de las Flores believe education is the most powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty into which many children in the Tepehua barrio find themselves.
“Some of the families to be helped are dysfunctional, which is not the fault of the child,” says Cross. “A child deserves to have a shot at life through education.”They have already raised a considerable amount of money. As well as collecting donations from friends, customers and other hotel owners, they have contributed themselves, enabling the program to get off the ground quickly.
Cross and Gomez say their aim is “to get over 300 children through school.”
They estimate the cost of sponsoring a child to be 1,500 pesos per year. This includes school fees, supplies, uniforms and shoes.
Each donor will be sent a photograph of the child they sponsor and receive a school progress report every semester. All donor information will be kept private.
The families will not be able to contact the donors. Should donors wish further information they can contact Cross and Gomez directly.
Cross and Gomez are encouraging other business owners to join them in the endeavor.
Already stepping up are the owners of the Quinta del Sol B&B in Ajijic, who have donated piggy banks full of loose change that will go toward the program, and an organization in Texas that has sponsored 25 kindergarten children.
The board of directors at Centro Comunitario Tepehua have expressed their gratitude to Cross and Gomez and everyone who has taken up the challenge with them.
Should you wish to join this crusade to watch a generation of children grow and prosper, please contact the following people: Penny Howe, director of education for Tepehua at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Brenda Clarke, secretary of the Tepehua board of directors at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Moonie King, president of the Tepehua board of directors at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Susan Netherton, Tepehua vice president at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or Fernando Gomez and Steve Cross at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..