Jaltepec Hotel and Hospitality School for women is preparing for an 18- to 24-month reconstruction phase.
The school buildings which house their kitchen, laundry, classrooms and laboratories will be leveled and rebuilt.
The school’s Foundation groups in Mexico City and Guadalajara have raised enough money to start construction, beginning in April.
The buildings are now 50 years old and the maintenance costs are too high. There are many structural, electrical and plumbing problems that must be addressed.
Meanwhile, the school will move to the “Campamentos” building down the road. The laundry department will move into Jaltepec’s multi-purpose building.
During construction, the school will not hold fundraising events at Jaltepec and will look for other venues. School administrators are exploring ideas and options for possible new venues. If anyone can help, please contact Linda Buckthorpe at 766-1631.
One of the fundraising efforts that creates employment for the graduates is the Jaltepec Panaderia (Bakery) in Guadalajara. This outlet is located inside Market Frescamesa at Calle Jorge Santayana 4997, Jardines Universidad in Zapopan. Although there is no sign announcing Panaderia Jaltepec, the fresh baked goods are located at the back of the store.
Market Frescamesa is providing rent-free space to Jaltepec Panaderia. All proceeds fro msales will go toward the Foundation’s fundraising efforts to renovate the school.
Jaltepec is also planning to sell subscriptions to customers interested in a once-a-week box of bread for six months.
In December last year, some 700 “roscas” were sold at the Jaltepec Bakery. The rosca de reyes is a crown-shaped, lightly sweetened bread decorated with jewel like candied fruits that is the centerpiece for the traditional January 6 Three Kings Day holiday. The girls were baking at all hours from Wednesday to Sunday between Christmas and the New Year. Proceeds raised from the roscas will also go toward the Foundation’s funds for Jaltepec.