Passersby are noticing that the Riberas del Pilar bazaar that helps support Los Niños de Chapala y Ajijic (NCA) has a whole new look. The bold blue and gold color scheme features iconic NCA student “Stick Man” painted on the door.
The NCA Bazaar generates revenue to pay the overhead costs of office and professional staff. The office is the hub of all student-related activities. Moms may receive counseling, the students find academic advice, sponsors find follow-up information on the progress of the students they support and liaison support.
NCA is the one of the oldest lakeside organizations. Since 1977 the group has supported the education of many hundreds of needy children and young adults, Mexican youth from Chapala to Jocotepec. The older beneficiaries of the program are now successful working professionals, able to improve their own lives and the lives of family members and those in the community.
Through sponsors’ generosity, NCA now supports more than 270 gifted Mexican students who must prove that they are academically eligible and that their families are financially challenged. Without external support, few of these outstanding young people could achieve their potential. Many of those who reach adulthood without proper education are then unable to adequately educate their children; the cycle of poverty repeats. Education is the answer to ending the poverty cycle.Under Mexican law, NCA may retain only five percent of sponsors’ contributions to pay the group’s overhead. Many local charities can operate entirely with volunteers, but NCA must employ two part-time Spanish-speaking professionals to support and counsel students and do the needed reporting, accounting, and communication. And five percent is not enough to cover these costs.
The NCA Bazaar exists to take up that slack and meet the organizations obligations. Lakeside residents can donate unused items for resale at the bazaar or place items on consignment at the shop where the 20-25 percent consignment fees are the lowest at lakeside. And you know that the profits are going to ensure that talented youngsters can stay in school. The other great way to support these students is to come by the bazaar regularly to browse in the charming boutique atmosphere and delve into the hidden treasures for sale there.
The Bazaar is located on the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar directly across the highway from 7-11 and is open Monday - Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
If you would like to sponsor a student, visit the Chapala NCA project office at Chacaltita 20A, just northeast of Soriana’s parking lot. Lilia will answer questions and help those interested browse through the folio of qualified students waiting for their own sponsors. The office telephone is (376) 765-7032.