If getting your mojo working with tastes and tunes from the tropical Caribbean isn’t reason enough to attend the Lake Chapala Society’s February 22 Fiesta Latina then consider the goodwill you will spawn by supporting the annual fund-raiser for the organization’s triple-pronged education programs that benefit your Mexican neighbors.
Proceeds from the event are vital to sustaining LCS outreach endeavors that speak volumes about the generosity of resident expats: the Student Aid Program (SAP), English as a second language (ESL) classes offered at the Wilkes Education Center and the Children’s Art Program (CAP).
An introduction to two of SAP’s current beneficiaries reveals what financial assistance means to bright and promising young people who might otherwise miss opportunities to pursue professional careers today and assume leadership roles down the road.
Take Liliana Claro Sanchez, age 22, the eldest of eight siblings born to a Chapala bricklayer and his spouse, a dedicated housewife and mother. Liliana was lucky to get in on the ground floor phase of SAP 14 years ago as a fourth grader. She has maintained her status with consistent hard work and the accumulation of top grades, gaining proficiency in English along the way.She will graduate from Chapala’s ITS Technical Institute next month with a degree in computer systems engineering. There’s a definite twinkle in her eyes when she talks about her future ambitions.
“I’m seeking employment in software development and have started to approach companies that might offer me a job,” she explains. “I’m so thankful to the people at LCS not just for paying 100 percent of my tuition fees, but also encouraging me to excel and achieve my goals.”
Manuel Antonio Perez Quiñonez, 20, has been enlisted in SAP for three years. He likewise comes from a humble background, number 11 of 12 brothers and sisters raised by his recently deceased father, a Chapala taxi driver, and a mother who still works as a maid.
He is the first member of the family to go for a full college education. Now enrolled for his third semester in the school of international business at the University of Guadalajara’s Ocotlán campus, he is keen to go into the field of economics and finance.
His ability to converse on Mexico’s economy in fluent English attests to the astute and analytical mind that will surely drive him towards success. Grateful for the SAP stipend that covers tuition, books and other schooling expenses, he is even more appreciative for the moral support he receives.
“Contacts have helped me find mentors to sharpen my English skills and to appreciate the importance of sharing,” he notes. “The way expatriates help our community is amazing!”
Maricruz Ibarra, who replaced long-time SAP coordinator Coralie White two years ago, runs a tight ship. In collaboration with Jay Gibson, she has established solid regulations and standards that guide the program. To stretch resources, she has honed it down to focus primarily on university students enrolled at public institutions. Qualification for aid is determined on a basis of the candidate’s economic circumstances and academic merit so that the most motivated and deserving students get priority. While tolerating occasional slip-ups, as a rule she gives no second chances to those aren’t giving it their all.
At present, SAP is assisting 35 students on a budget of 350,000 pesos per annum. LCS is in persuit to increase sponsorships, donations and community support.