A local pediatrician is stepping up her efforts to find sponsors so young people at Lakeside can continue their educations.
“Many in the community are complaining about what they perceive as a high crime rate among young people,” Martha Nussgen told the Reporter this week.
“The problem is that there are literally hundreds of kids who have just finished junior high school and who cannot continue studying due to the fact that they have to get jobs to survive.”Nussgen said the kids wander around looking for work in construction, gardening or maybe as maids. “Unfortunately, there are few of these jobs available. The kids get frustrated and depressed, often turning to drugs and then to crime to support the drug habit.”
Nussgen doesn’t believe that this downward spiral is inevitable.
“In Chapala and the surrounding areas there are several possibilities to get training in multiple trades while studying just on the weekends,” she said. “That way the kids can continue their academic educations or work at the jobs they do find while upgrading their skills for a better life.”
Many of the courses can be completed in 12 to 18 months and cost only 150 to 200 pesos per week, depending upon the subject. Weekend courses come under the headings of computer skills, pre-school assistant, English, bilingual dental assistant, dental prostheses technician, automobile mechanics, machinist and carpentry.
If you would like to know more about helping a youngster develop employment skills and contributing to keeping the crime rate down, contact Martha Nussgen at (376) 766-2549.