Life's a Beach | Expat Life in Playa del Carmen : 2012

12 Days/12 Ways 2012 - PEACE Isla Mujeres

Rob Kinnon — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 19:00:00 GMT

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

This beloved traditional holiday song is the inspiration for our Holiday Giving blog series, "12 Days/12 Ways", a promotional effort of goodwill we started in 2010 to draw attention to 12 not-for-profit groups or charitable organizations in Playa del Carmen and along the Riviera Maya. So many people from around the world travel to the Riviera Maya during the holiday season. Many reach out to us via regional message boards and Facebook looking for a way to give back to the less fortunate residents in our local communities. 12 Days/12 Ways was started to help these generous, kind-hearted visitors find legitimate and worthy charitable organizations to support, addressing their particular needs for this holiday season.

For each of the 12 days of Christmas, the BuyPlaya blog, better known as "Life's a Beach", will spotlight a charitable organization or giving opportunity. Some may already be familiar to locals and frequent travelers to this area. Others, perhaps those most in need of recognition and support, may be new to our readers. It is our hope to do this every year, with updated information and wish lists.

The "12 Day/12 Ways" list has been completed for 2012. If you have a favorite charity that you feel belongs on our list for 2013, collect all of the information you can and I will be happy to consider your group for inclusion.

__________________________________________________________________

PEACE Isla Mujeres is an initiative of PEACE, a nonprofit community organization based in Punta de Mita, Mexico. PEACE is a recognized 501(c)(3) in the United States and a recognized A.C. in Mexico. PEACE Isla Mujeres is a nonprofit organization created to improve the community of Isla Mujeres through Protection and Education re: Animals, Culture & the Environment. A focus is placed on educational opportunities, youth development, environmental responsibility, animal care and protection and economic empowerment.

PEACE strives to improve the community of Isla Mujeres through :

Educational opportunities
Youth development
Environmental responsibility
Animal care and protection
Economic empowerment

PEACE Isla Mujeres began with a small group of volunteers interested in the growth, future and integrity of social projects on the island. After a few informal conversations around kitchen tables, weekly meetings open to the community were established and together with the collaboration of PEACE Mexico A.C., a newly hired executive director and a gang of volunteers and community organizations, a new community-based nonprofit was formed.

PEACE Isla Mujeres consists of both locals and foreigners who care greatly for Isla Mujeres. The following goals have been established for this new community-wide nonprofit:

Support for existing non-profit/community groups that have a proven track record of response to community need
Support for short-term, one-time, and/or emergency response projects
Support for new nonprofit/community initiatives with development and direction

These goals are achieved through community support, grant endowment, fundraising for local efforts, emergency response, consultation and networking.

PEACE Isla Mujeres operates as a community foundation and disperses funds primarily through a structured granting process. PEACE Isla Mujeres is not directly affiliated with any existing Isla organization, but acts as an umbrella organization to help raise more resources in general for Isla and then responsibly distribute the money and resources through granting processes. In this way, PEACE is able to provide more support to those who need it and foster new initiatives that will greatly benefit the entire Isla community.

PEACE Isla Mujeres is proud to be working in collaboration with many, including the following community groups:

Amigos de Isla Contoy, A.C. (www.islacontoy.org) is a non-profit group based in Cancun whose mission is "to promote the conservation of Isla Contoy and other natural regions in the Yucatan Peninsula through sustainable development in local communities." Amigos de Isla Contoy has been working directly on Isla Mujeres through implementing and running a recycling program, teaching environmental education and the construction of a new Environmental Education Community Center on the Island.

Amor a la Niñez, A.C. The Little Yellow School House (www.littleyellowschoolhouse.org) is a school on the Island for children with special social, physical and academic needs. Their mission is to promote and collaborate in the integral development of children with special needs with the end goal of improving their social, cultural and economic futures.

Isla Animals (www.islaanimals.org) is a small community group that cares for the unclaimed dog population on the Island. Isla Animals helps to coordinate spay, neuter and vaccinate campaigns, educates about proper animal care, tends to the health and protection of unwanted dogs, including housing dogs until they can be placed in a safe and permanent home.

La Clinica Veterinaria de Chipie & Dr. Delfino Guevara (vetclinicchipie@hotmail.com) provide for-profit veterinary services on the Island at a price that is reasonable and accessible to all and provides community education regarding animal control and proper animal care.

La Gloria English School, A.C. (www.folges.org) is a US-nonprofit English Language School here on the island with a mission to give the residents of Isla Mujeres the opportunity to learn English regardless of their financial resources.

Ron Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund (www.reelingforronnie.com) honors Ron's memory and his commitment to the island of Isla Mujeres and its people. On his behalf we want to assist, with financial help, in educating promising, dedicated students to further their education enabling them the opportunity to improve their life style. We feel this opportunity will not only benefit the students but also their families and in turn, the whole community.

Patrulla Verde (patrulla-verde@hotmail.com)is a grassroots, youth-focused ecology club whose mission is to contribute to a clean and healthy environment through education and community activities.

Since its inception PEACE Isla Mujeres has awarded over $500,000 mn to community programs on the island!

How can you help?

Donate Funds!

PEACE Isla Mujeres is always in need of donations. If you would like to donate we are officially a non-profit and you will receive a tax deductible receipt. Many companies are now giving matching grants to their employee's charity of choice. Ask your employer about making a matching grant to PEACE Isla Mujeres. If you are in the United States If you would like to send a check, please make checks payable to:
PEACE, Inc. and designate "PEACE Isla Mujeres" in the memo of your check. If you would like to donate to a specific organization, please indicate which one in the memo section of your check as well.

Checks can be mailed to:
PEACE Inc.
c/o Alisha Quinn
PO Box 6161
Vail, CO 81658

Donate Supplies!

Affiliated organizations are always in need of useful supplies. Below is a list of supplies requested by several community organizations including The Little Yellow Schoolhouse, Patrula Verde and La Gloria English School. A wishlist of items is below and a full list including much needed items for local veterinarians, Isla Animals and The Red Cross can be found here.

All material/games need to be in Spanish. Materials for older children (8+) are a priority

• Toner for a photocopy machine - PC 940 CANON
• Ink cartridges for a printer- HP 56 and 57
• Colored printer paper
• Didactic games for children over 8 years old
• Three dimensional puzzles of different shapes
• Materials to identify body parts (in Spanish and not puzzles)
• Games for memory; auditory and tactile (but not cards)
• Materials/manipulatives to use for separation, classification, and matching (but not cards)
• Materials for Spanish vocabulary (not cards)
• Materials where the objective is to search for the hidden objects in a figure
• Cassette tapes of musical instruments, transportation, animals, etc.
• Toys with Spanish sounds
• Acrylic paint
• Oil paint
• Glue
• Children’s scissors
• Paint boxes
• Pencils
• Colored pencils
• Erasers
• Rulers
• Markers
• Games that focus on special dates (Mexico), principally for children 8-12 years old

For a new life-skills area, the school is in need of the following kitchen items:

Plastic place settings (non-disposable)
dishes
pots and pans
toaster oven
blender

Contribute to the Re-Sale Shop!

Gently worn closed and used items are gladly welcomed for resale at the PEACE Isla Mujeres resale boutique. 100% of the funds raised go to help support community programs and purchase badly needed supplies and equipment.

Buy the PEACE Cookbook!

Now available for just $25 usd or $300 mn - the second edition of "Cocina Isleña" is a fantastic BILINGUAL (Spanish-English) cookbook offering nearly 200 recipes from local and international residents and restaurants of Isla Mujeres. The collection was created with the flavor and available ingredients of Isla Mujeres in mind - and comes complete with stories to go with many of the recipes, tips on using and purchasing local produce, measuring/heat conversions, and more! Shipping to the US is available. For more information, contact
carolinebeebe@hotmail.com

Volunteer!

PEACE Isla Mujeres welcomes volunteers. Whether you live on the island, come every year or are getting ready for your first trip- there is a spot for you with PEACE Isla Mujeres. There are many wonderful community groups who would welcome your participation. Whether you have just an hour to give or a half day or a few days, there is always a way to help out. Below is a list of several volunteer activities currently available. Fluency in Spanish is not necessary, unless noted*. Please contact volunteer@peace-islamujeres.org if you'd like more information on how you can help. Open community meetings are held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in PEACE's new office space in the Plaza Isla Mujeres, behind Chili Loco’s on Hidalgo. Serious participants/volunteers are encouraged to attend.

Isla Animals:
• Assist in helping to care for an island dog; take a dog for a walk and/or give a dog a bath
• If here for at least a few days, you could be assigned one specific dog to walk and train during the duration of your trip
• If you are interested in photography, we are in need of photos of the dogs at Isla Animals and also around the island to help promote adoption

Island Veterinarians:
• Assist in helping to care for an island dog; take a dog for a walk &/or give a dog a bath
• Help to give injections
• Assist a veterinarian in surgery

La Gloria English School:
• Assist a teacher and help students with pronunciation in an English class for children, youth or adults (various hours)

Patrulla Verde:
• On Saturday mornings take part in a youth ecology club- assist with art projects, field trips, help on an island clean-up, etc. (*a basic level of Spanish is necessary)

Little Yellow School House:
• Assist the teacher in the classroom or assist with class preparation
(Late afternoons M-F; *a conversational level of Spanish is necessary)

Volunteer Vacations are also arranged in cooperation with Destination: PEACE. During a Destination:PEACE Volunteer Vacation, guests will experience another culture while making a difference in the lives of others: children, women, families, animals and the environment. Volunteers help raise awareness, reinforce a sense of world community and bring hope to the people and animals affiliated with PEACE Isla Mujeres. Each five-day vacation combines volunteerism with the practice of yoga, introduces participants to authentic Mexican cuisine, and enables them to explore the region and experience cultural or adventure activities.

For more information:
info@peace-islamujeres.org
www.peace-islamujeres.org
+52 1 99 82 243 323 (Outside of Mexico)
99 82 243 323 (Mexico)
651 222 9482 (US)

12 Days/12 Ways 2012 - Casa Hogar Para Ninos Esperanza A.C. (Cancun Christian Orphanage)

Rob Kinnon — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 11:15:00 GMT

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

This beloved traditional holiday song is the inspiration for our Holiday Giving blog series, "12 Days/12 Ways", a promotional effort of goodwill we started last year to draw attention to 12 not-for-profit groups or charitable organizations in Playa del Carmen and along the Riviera Maya. So many people from around the world travel to the Riviera Maya during the holiday season. Many reach out to us via regional message boards and Facebook looking for a way to give back to the less fortunate residents in our local communities. 12 Days/12 Ways was started to help these generous, kind-hearted visitors find legitimate and worthy charitable organizations to support, addressing their particular needs for this holiday season.

For each of the 12 days of Christmas, the BuyPlaya Blog, better known as "Life's a Beach", will spotlight a charitable organization or giving opportunity. Some may already be familiar to locals and frequent travelers to this area. Others, perhaps those most in need of recognition and support, may be new to our readers. It is our hope to do this every year, with updated information and wish lists.

__________________________________________________________________

Casa Hogar para Ninos Esperanza is located in Colonia Alfredo Bonfil, Mexico and is Cancun's only Christian based orphanage. The "Children's House of Hope" was founded by Pastor Asencio Mancilla and his wife Esther 23 years ago when someone left an infant on their doorstep.

Volunteers from various Christian church groups in Cancun and various Christian mission partners worldwide help supply food, clothing, medical treatment, facility maintenance and activities for the children who call the orphanage home. While this is a Christian based orphanage, you need not be a member of the Christian faith or follow any religion at all to help out! All kind-hearted souls are invited and encouraged to assist the efforts of the local church groups that support this home. Currently, there are 12 children with ages ranging from 3 to18. Sadly, all have a history of abuse. All help is welcomed and appreciated.

How can YOU help?

Donate clothes and food!

As you can imagine, providing for the basic needs of 12 children is no small feat! Keeping these boys and girls clothed and fed is an ongoing need and any contributions are welcomed. Always appreciated are:

Cases of milk
Boxed fruit juice
Cases of eggs
Chicken, Meat, Pork, Chorizo Sausage
Fruit (particularly apples and other fruit that keeps well)
Vegetables
Rice
Beans
Canned tuna fish
Hot dogs and buns
Condiments
Cereal
Cookies
Children's shoes (any size or gender)
Children's clothes (any size or gender)
Cotton bed sheets - twin sized
Plastic mattress covers - twin sized
Books, coloring books and games in Spanish
Gently used or new adult clothing (especially ladies' dresses) Adult clothing donations are sold at a monthly bazaar to help raise money to pay utility bills

If you have items to donate, please contact Cherilyn Martin at 713-529-8078 / 998-121-1315 or email: cherilynmartin[at]gmail.com.

Make a monetary contribution!

Casa Hogar Para Ninos Esperanza receives no governmental assistance and is 100% reliant on donations. Financial donations are needed and always appreciated. To make a donation by check or via wire transfer, please contact Tom Martin at 713-529-8078 / 998-121-1316 or email: ccfyucatan[at]gmail.com. We will be happy to furnish deposit instructions through Carpe Diem Yucatan SA de CV, Casa Hogar's corporate partner.

For your convenience, donations are also accepted via Paypal. The Paypal address is: tom@cdymexico.com

Arrange a Mission Partnership!

There is an ongoing need for mission groups to assist with maintenance, repairs and improvements to the orphanage as time and schedules allow. If you are a member of a church or other philanthropic group which may be interested in organizing a mission trip to Cancun, please contact Cherilyn and Tom Martin via their email addresses posted above. Also, visit Casa Hogar Para Ninos Esperanza on Facebook and help spread the word!

Visit the children!

Casa Hogar Para Ninos Esperanza is located in Colonia Alfredo V. Bonfil, about 10 minutes to the south of downtown Cancun. A delivery of food and other necessary items is made every Wednesday by the Cancun Christian Fellowship and guests are always welcome to come along. Please contact Tom Martin if you would like to arrange a visit to the orphanage. Maybe you could spend a few minutes reading to the children or paying games with them. Just a little of your time will bring a smile to the faces of these beautiful children.

I moved to Mexico with my family in 2004 with the hope of offering our children a more global education and world view. Since then, we have traveled through Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, gathering friends and life experiences and learning a lot about ourselves along the way. When we are not out and about exploring, Rob and I own and operate BuyPlaya, a Playa del Carmen real estate company and FurnitureMex. "Life's a Beach" is a catch-all blog where you may find anything from restaurant reviews, to recipes, gardening tips, commentary about expat daily life, local events, information about moving to Mexico and educating children in Playa del Carmen. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

12 Days/12 Ways 2012 - Society of Akumal´s Vital Ecology A.C. (SAVE)

Rob Kinnon — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 11:18:00 GMT

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

The "12 Day/12 Ways" list has not yet been completed for 2012. If you have a favorite charity that you feel belongs on this list, collect all of the information you can and I will be happy to consider your group for inclusion.

__________________________________________________________________

The Society of Akumal´s Vital Ecology (SAVE) is a grass roots not-for-profit organization created in 1998 to protect the fragile and most valuable natural resources in central Quintana Roo, Mexico. Akumal, in particular, offers to the world a delicate and unique interconnected ecosystem, containing a fresh water filled cave systems gently flowing to the sea, a thriving coastal mangrove, the sandy beach bluff, and most important of all, the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest reef system in the world.

Mangrove damage, reduction, and degradation due to rapid tourism growth have occurred in the Riviera Maya. SAVE's mission is to keep this unique and fragile ecology safe from the dangers of unsustainable development, for our children’s futures, and their children´s children. Today, SAVE is proving that with determination, changes can be made.

SAVE is currently involved in the following programs and activities:

Aguas Con Los Cenotes:
The Yucatan Peninsula, particularly the Caribbean coast has witnessed rapid tourism development over the past forty years. Unfortunately this development has not been met with sufficient policy or planning to ensure it has a minimal impact on the Peninsula’s fragile environment. Like the Maya thousands of years earlier, developments rely on the underground aquifer for their potable water resources. Yet because these rivers lie underground little is witnessed of the damage that poorly planned developments have caused to the aquifer. Large developments destroy the caves systems beneath disrupting necessary hydrological flows, while sewerage waste is frequently flows underground, joining the water that is drawn for drinking. Protection of these tremendous underground water ways needs to be established to ensure that cenotes and the connecting fresh water systems are protected, so that they can be visited and enjoyed by future generations. The livelihoods of all people on the Peninsula, both tourists and locals, require a healthy and safe aquifer.

Mangrove Protection:
In the past 20 years, the State of Quintana Roo, has lost over 100,000 hectares of mangroves (1 hectare = 2.5 acres) to hotel rooms. This is 1/3 of all mangroves in the entire country of Mexico. The mangroves also filter out what is needed and not needed for the corals, which comprises the paralleling Mesoamerican Reef. The mangrove traps and cycles various organic materials, chemical elements, and important nutrients. Mangrove roots act not only as physical traps but provide attachment surfaces for various marine organisms. Many of these attached organisms filter water through their bodies and, in turn, trap and cycle nutrients also. The relationship between mangroves and their associated marine life cannot be overemphasized. Mangroves provide protected nursery areas for fishes, crustaceans, and shellfish. They also provide food for a multitude of marine species such as snook, snapper, tarpon, jack, sheepshead, red drum, oyster, shrimp and lobsters. Mexico’s important recreational and commercial fisheries will drastically decline without healthy mangrove forests acting as filters and nurseries. Mangroves also help to prevent erosion and sand loss by stabilizing shorelines with their specialized root systems. Mangroves filter water and maintain water quality and clarity. These mangroves take out of our atmosphere and store 50% of our carbon dioxide, the oceans 30% and the trees and forests 20%. Thus, mangroves are the lungs of our earth. The laws that protect the environment MUST be followed and enforced.

Marine Turtle Protection:
The State of Quintana Roo, has 14 areas legally protected by state or federal legislation. Two areas belong to the continental zone and the other 12 to the coastal zone, in which are found important sea turtles nesting sites. Yum-balam, Isla Contoy and Sian Kaán Biosphere reserve are hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricate) nesting sites. Green (Chelonia Mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) nest at these sites as well as on the eastern part of Isla Cozumel and Tulum National Park. Studies have been conducted that determined that the beaches with the greatest density of turtle nests in the area are: Chemuyil, X’cacel and Aventuras DIF; in addition they recommended legal actions to be taken for their protection due to their biological characteristics, their bio-geographic importance, their state of conservation, and the threat that prevails within the tourist corridor Cancún – Tulum, the Riviera Maya. Both Green and Loggerhead sea turtles are considered under protection by the Mexican laws and by international conventions. But both species are in danger of extinction, due to damage of their beach nesting grounds. SAVE recommends an overhaul of the environmental impact studies, laws that are followed, and a permanent monitoring of development in these areas. SAVE is pursuing Federal Sanctuary Status for Playa Xcacel/Xcacelito. This area is vital to sea turtle reproduction and needs to be protected in a meaningful way.

How Can YOU help?

Become a SAVE Akumal Member!

Depending on your annual contribution you will be given a SAVE Membership status as follows:

$25 Jungle: Membership Card, Aguas Con Los Cenote Sticker.
$50 Mangrove: Membership Card, Aguas Con Los Cenote Sticker, T-shirt.
$100 Reef: Membership Card, Aguas Con Los Cenote Sticker, Aguas Con Los Cenote Poster.
$250 Ocean: Membership Card, Aguas Con Los Cenote Sticker, T-shirt & Poster.
$500 Sea Turtle: Membership Card, Aguas Con Los Cenote Sticker, Website Listing, T-shirt & Poster.
$1,000 Cenote: Membership Card, Aguas Con Los Cenote Sticker, Website Listing, “Cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula” by Steve Gerrard.

You may make a donation of any size or make an annual membership contribution through Paypal with your credit card or Paypal account.

Spread the Word!

Follow SAVE Akumal on Facebook and share their efforts with your friends!

Be Alert and Ready!

Be a SAVE activist! If you ever see anyone damaging the ecosystem or causing harm to its inhabitants, help us by taking photographs and/or videos. Just send in all the pertinent information you can (i.e. what happened, how it happened, where it happened, and with who it happened) and SAVE will do the rest. Please email your information and photo/video content to cenotes@prodigy.net.mx and SAVE will make the proper letter of accusation, known as a "denuncia", to the relevant Mexican governmental office. Activities to be aware of may include:

Destruction or poisoning of the mangrove
Taking of fish, birds, reptiles or other wildlife
Destruction of turtle nests or the taking of eggs by unauthorized groups
Snorkel groups touching marine turtles or other marine life
Illegal shark fishing
Dumping of trash and debris on the beach or in the jungle

For more information:

+52 (984) 87 59204 land line
+52 (984) 87 59021 land line
+52 (998) 845-4528 mobile
Skype ID: savemaya
Email: cenotes@prodigy.net.mx
Website : http://www.saverivieramaya.org

The End of the World?

Rob Kinnon — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 00:54:00 GMT

You read all the hype about the Mayan calendar, the end of days, the impending apocalypse... right? Well, so did we and watched with much amusement as everyone outside of the Mayan world made their preparations. Some prepared for the end, fearing the worst, stocking their war chests and food pantries. Others traveled to sacred spots to celebrate the end of an era, unsure about what might come. Down here in the heart of the Mundo Maya, those who weren't somehow profiting from this whole phenomenon passed the day quietly, business as usual. Our Maya, or at least the Maya I know were pretty nonplussed about the whole thing. For our part, while we certainly weren't running out to be blessed by Shamans or watch the sun rise over sacred ruins, we did want to recognize the transition from the last Baktun into the next in some small way. At the barn, we decided to welcome the new era by acknowledging our hopes and dreams for the future. Some of us wrote down some personal thoughts on a small piece pf paper, let them on fire and allowed the ashes and our dreams to fly up into the sky. Others signed their wishes and desires on two Mylar balloons and set them adrift on the wind. It was quiet and nice and exactly what we all needed to start the new year off right.

How did you usher in this new era?

12 Days/12 Ways 2012 - Centro Equinoterapia y Atencion Integral de Playa del Carmen A.C.

Rob Kinnon — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:20:00 GMT

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

__________________________________________________________________

The Equine Therapy Center in Playa del Carmen AC was created in March 2008 to address the concerns of local parents with children with disabilities. Located at the Equestrian Club Hipico Playa del Carmen , this therapy program was launched to provide alternative therapies to people with disabilities living on the Riviera Maya. The Equine Therapy Center of Playa del Carmen works with children and adults with many different types of disabilities including cerebral palsy, autism, motor coordination impairment, down syndrome and hydrocephalus.

What is Equine Therapy?

The equine therapy is a uniquely comprehensive physical and psychological activity that is used therapeutically as an alternative rehabilitation treatment for patients with different types of disabilities. The horse is the therapeutic tool, acting as a stimulus for the patient. The horse's movement, allows the individual, while mounted, to receive a physical stimulus throughout the body, starting from the rhythmic impulse transmission to the pelvic girdle and moving through to the spinal cord neurons. The horse's body temperature, which is higher than the human body (38 ° C), acts as a natural heat tool helping the patient to relax their muscles, while sensory stimuli help regulate the circulatory system. The horse's gait closely approximates that of a human. Therapeutic riding gently and rhythmically moves the rider's body in a manner that improves muscle strength, balance, and flexibility. For individuals facing emotional or mental challenges, the discipline, companionship, and routine of the partnership between horse and rider help promote self-esteem, patience, and confidence. Universally riders, with or without special challenges or disabilities, find that horseback riding enhances their sense of independence.

Therapists address the unique therapeutic goals of each individual by having patients ride in different positions: sitting or lying forwards, backwards or sideways, standing in the stirrups and/or riding without holding on. Therapists may ask patients to stretch, reach or play simple games while mounted in order to improve concentration and coordination. Very small children or patients of any age with very severe physical limitations may ride with the therapist.

The center currently provides services in Equine, Music and Aqua-therapy. Future plans include integration of speech, occupational and physical therapies. The goal of the organizers is to provide access to these remarkable therapies to all segments of our community, to all the families who might benefit regardless of their personal economic conditions.

How can YOU help?

Donate!
Your donation will support life-changing therapeutic programs for low-income families who would not be able to afford these or similar rehabilitation programs. Donations ensure that The Equine Therapy Center of Playa del Carmen will be able to continue providing these services. Donations are tax-deductible in Mexico. If you would like to make a contribution, use may use this contact form or send a message to organizer Maria Jose Huerta Sabate through Facebook. In-kind donations are also welcomed. Immediate needs include:

- A 20 liter tank of gas
- 3 small plastic tables for children
- 6 small chairs for children
- A 1.5 meter long folding table

Volunteer!
Fortunately, the Equine Therapy Center has sufficient trainers, therapists and equine assistants to administer these wonderful therapies and wonderful calm horses with whom they work. Desperately needed are volunteers to organize fundraisers, write grant proposals and help with administrative tasks. They are currently looking for someone to work on the website and take charge of promotional efforts to solicit more support.

For more information:
Maria Jose on Facebook
Centro Equinoterapia Playa del Carmen on Facebook
984-106-8726
contacto@ceai.org.mx
http://ceai.org.mx

12 Days/12 Ways 2012 - El Mundo Para Puerto Morelos SC (EMPPM)

Rob Kinnon — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:24:00 GMT

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

This beloved traditional holiday song is the inspiration for our seasonal blog series, "12 Days/12 Ways", a promotional effort of goodwill we started last year to draw attention to 12 not-for-profit groups or charitable organizations in Playa del Carmen and along the Riviera Maya. So many people from around the world travel to the Riviera Maya during the holiday season. Many reach out to us via regional message boards and Facebook looking for a way to give back to the less fortunate residents in our local communities. 12 Days/12 Ways was started to help these generous, kind-hearted visitors find legitimate and worthy charitable organizations to support, addressing their particular needs for this holiday season.

__________________________________________________________________

El Mundo Para Puerto Morelos SC is a charitable organization for the community of Puerto Morelos, Mexico - Determining the Need, Implementing the Solution. Our goal is to inspire the citizens and friends of Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico to enrich their lives and their community in the areas of health, education, and welfare through financial generosity and volunteer commitment.

Through research and open communication EMPPM determines needs that are not being met through normal bureaucratic channels, work with community leaders to identify solutions to meet those needs, then focuses on the steps necessary to implement plans for solving the issues. Please join EMPPM in supporting this small, beautiful, thriving fishing community struggling to maintain its autonomy in a world of international tourists.

El Mundo Para Puerto Morelos began in the aftermath of devastating hurricanes Wilma and Emily. In October, 2005, a group of local expatriates were made aware of a disturbing problem in one of the primary schools. With an enrollment of 700 and a water system damaged by the storms, the students and faculty were only able to flush the toilet twice a day, and had no water for hand washing. The locals responded by reaching into their pockets asking how much it would cost. Thus began the organization and establishment of El Mundo Para Puerto Morelos, SC, (The World for Puerto Morelos), and its first project of successfully replacing the school's entire water system.

EMPPM responded, and still responds, to the needs of this rapidly growing community. This civil organization provides assistance for pregnant women with no money for vitamins or a healthy diet, medical clinics in desperate need of supplies, schools with little or no resources, and emergency responders with no safety equipment. EMPPM seeks to fill these needs by organizing and, supporting community activities and fund-raising events, supplying desperately needed supplies and equipment, and supporting special construction projects. Ninety five percent of all donations go directly to these community needs, with five per cent covering administrative costs.

El Mundo Para Puerto Morelos is certified as non-profit in Mexico and in the United States (Friends of El Mundo Para Puerto Morelos), as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, Tax ID# 80-0515521. The focus has been on enriching the lives of everyone in the community through maintenance and improvement in the areas of health, education, and welfare.

With the help of tourists, friends, expats, and local residents EMPPM has been able to tackle major issues in our community, aiding the emergency responders, medical clinics, and educational facilities and families with special programs, supplies, and equipment. EMPPM looks forward to continuing this assistance through contributions and donations from supporters, both worldwide and local.

How can YOU help?

Sponsor a Student!
El Mundo Para Puerto Morelos is in full gear for the holiday season! This year EMPPM helped acquire sponsorship for 54 children, from kindergarten to high school, with their fees, uniforms and supplies. They are still in need of support for a number of students; sponsorships in the amount of just $60 and $90 will help sponsor children in need for the full year. Visit http://www.emppm.com/sponsor to donate and they will send you a recently-snapped photo of the child you are sponsoring.

Recycle!
At the technical high school, EMPPM is helping to support a recycling and environmental program organized by the students, aiding them to grasp concepts in social responsibility and beautification of their campus and colonia. Everyone in town is encouraged to put their plastics aside and bring them to the school. The students receive a small amount of compensation for the plastics they collect, which will go toward further funding the program.

Volunteer!
Handy with a hammer? EMPPM is working with local health and human services organizations to build roofing for families living in make-shift homes constructed from packing crates. Proper shelter is increasingly important as temperatures begin to drop. Residents and holiday visitors are invited to donate their time and labor to help accomplish this. Monetary donations are also needed to purchase building materials and supplies.

Become a "Padrino de Leche"!
In cooperation with DIF (health and human services), EMPPM is promoting a new program called "Padrinos de Leche," or Milk Sponsors. Friends and frequenters of Puerto Morelos are encouraged to donate one or more containers of powdered milk or formula to local families who are struggling to provide essential nutrients for their babies. Containers of formula cost the equivalent of approx. $12 - $30 usd, depending on the type, and can be incredibly valuable to a family, sometimes meaning the equivalent of an entire week of work.

Make a Monetary Donation!

Monetary donations are welcomed and much needed to continue the in valuable programs initiated by EMPPM.

For monetary donations in the US, make checks payable to: Commonwealth Housing Corporation*

    Kay McMillan - EMPPM USA Coordinator
    4115 Honeycomb Rock Circle
    Austin, TX 78731-2015
    Please write on the memo line of your check:
                            "FBO: El Mundo para Puerto Morelos"

    Note: you donation will be acknowledged for tax purposes.

In Mexico, donations of cash or much needed items from the wish list below can be dropped off in the village of Puerto Morelos at:

Mama's Bakery: North of Police Station
Dive In Puerto Morelos: Next to Mama's Bakery
Mayan Riviera Properties: beach side of Town Square

Donate in Kind!

There are a number of schools and local community organizations desperately in need of assistance and contributions. Items needed include:

Computers
Books, for all ages, in Spanish, English and Bilingual
Reference books, maps, math aids (Spanish, Bilingual)
Educational games (Spanish, English and Bilingual)
Spanish, English and Bilingual instruction books and materials, all levels
Sports, music, art, and band equipment
Lab supplies and equipment
First Aid Supplies
Student and office furniture, ceiling fans, storage units, fixtures
General office and school supplies
Kitchen and cleaning supplies
Tools for maintenance
Schools lack enough classrooms, teachers, furniture/fixtures, and money for materials or repairs.
Families and school lack funds to provide a balanced diet, first aid supplies, and books

Examination and resuscitation equipment and supplies
X-ray machines and supplies
Paramedic supplies, stretchers, wheel chairs, crutches, splints, bandages, meds, antiseptics
General and obstetric medicines
Training workshops and seminars for medical and emergency personnel
First Aid and hygiene training for children and adults
Medical clinics lack staff to maintain consistent hours, and need supplies and equipment.
Firefighters/EMTs lack basic training, protective equipment, manuals, pertinent gear, pump truck, ambulance and all equipment for vehicle maintenance.

Firemen and EMTs need basic training and safety equipment, vehicles for firefighting, and an ambulance for emergencies.

Cat Brown:

52 998 251 8060 Land Line (Mexico)
US Phone: 512-410-8146
catbrown@emppm.com

Patti Pearson:

52 998 205 7550 Cell (Mexico)
pearsonmexico@yahoo.com

12 Days/12 Ways 2012 - CEA Centro Ecologico Akumal

Rob Kinnon — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:31:00 GMT

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

__________________________________________________________________

Centro Ecologico Akumal is a non-profit conservation organization working on the Mexican Caribbean to monitor the impact of development on the regional ecosystems and culture; to report findings and their significance to the public through education; and, through education, to influence public policy. CEA is celebrating 15 years of research, education and advocacy in Akumal, working to understand better the natural elements that make this place so beautiful, to raise awareness about how to protect it and to invite others to participate in these efforts.

Centro Ecologico Akumal has a number of ongoing programs:

Marine and Coastal Program and Reef Monitoring and Research subprogram were established to promote the protection and conservation of the coastal ecosystems. With a focus on an integrated coastal system, the Marine Ecosystems Program collects comprehensive data on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef in the region of Akumal and promotes the implementation of a management policy based on the understanding and study of the marine ecosystem and its services.

Sea Turtle Program is charged with the protection, conservation, research and management of sea turtles. During the nesting season CEA turtle staff and volunteers patrol the beaches of Akumal in search of nesting female turtles, turtle nests, and recent hatchlings. Their duties include protecting and tagging females, collecting scientific data, relocating eggs (in extremely cases) to more favorable locations on the beach, and releasing hatchlings to the sea. The data that the turtle team collects are then used to determine turtle hatching success, behavior, distribution, and abundance. Raising awareness among tourist and residents on sea turtle biology and conservation issues is of the utmost importance. CEA holds "Turtle Talks" to give information to the people who visit the Riviera Maya. This year CEA documented a record year for turtle nests and hatchlings. By the end of the 2012 season, CEA recorded 200 Loggerhead nests producing 14,856 hatchlings and 596 Green Turtle nests with 43,397 hatchlings. Amazing!

Sustainable Development Program aims to influence development and lessen its impact on the local environment. Sustainable development is development that satisfies present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their own needs. By maintaining constant consideration of the environmental benefits that the ecosystems of the region offer and understanding the interconnections among the environment, the economy and society

Water Quality Program works to reduce pollution of our watershed; promoting between the sector public and private the good managing of the solid and liquid tailing; as well as the utilization of technological alternatives that promote a sustainable development in the zone. This is achieved by monitoring the bays, lagoons and Akumal's artificial wetlands, training and application of technological alternatives for sustainable development (solar power, rain water catch, artificial wetlands, composting toilets and waste management) and coordinating activities with the program of Environmental Education to promote the care and managing of the water within the populations of Akumal and Chemuyil.

Environmental Education is an ongoing educational program to teach both visitors and local people to preserve and respect our environment. Focusing primarily on local children, CEA organizers, volunteers and social service students visit the schools in the Pueblo of Akumal to teach the children how Mother Nature works and how to protect their local ecosystem. The CEA Information Center has been providing this education for the past fifteen years and recently, the tourist and community sectors of the Environmental Education Program have been expanded to include hotels, restaurants and dive shops outside Akumal.

CEA Communications strives to influence public opinion, shape public policy and to help preserve our coastal environment with compelling graphic and informational program. This program focuses its efforts with tourists, residents and hotels to help accomplish CEA’s mission by visually displaying and distributing the research findings and information. CEA has publications and presentations designed to inform CEA visitors about the research programs, problems and solutions at Akumal. There are displays, visually explaining the various research studies in which CEA is involved.

How can YOU help?

Become a CEA Member!
Memberships and donations charged through the CEA website are processed via Paypal by CEA's U.S. fiscal sponsor, the Yucatan Environmental Foundation (YEF), and are tax deductible in the U.S. You will first receive an order confirmation and then, when your order is processed, a YEF receipt, which you should print out for your tax records. CEA sponsorship levels are available from $50 usd to $5000 usd. With your contribution of $50 or more, you will receive a card allowing a 10% discount at many Akumal businesses. If you live in the Akumal area, with a donation of $125 US or more, you can receive a parking pass, good for one year, to use in the Plaza Ukana lot.

If you would prefer to pay by check, rather than by credit card, please make your payment to:

YEF
c/o Alex Bradley
PO Box 1813
Port Townsend, WA
98368-0219.

Please note what level of CEA Membership you are requesting. Please include your e-mail address. Your tax receipt will be sent to you electronically.

Adopt a Turtle!
You can sponsor your very own Akumal turtle! There are three levels of sponsorship to fit any budget. Included in your "turtle adoption" will be an official, personalized Certificate of Adoption, mailed from the U.S. Please send us the name you want on the certificate, and the address you would like it mailed to, if different than your own. The tax-deductible proceeds help support the CEA Turtle Program.

Make a Donation in kind!

CEA's Environmental Education Program has started its activities for the year. They are working with a total of 95 students in the Akumal Pueblo. We take this opportunity to ask for your help in donating materials for the different activities with the students. Your input and support is important for activity development. CEA's Environmental Education Program will cover topics related to the different ecosystems found in Quintana Roo such as general characteristics, their biodiversity and ways to protect them. There will also be recreation activities, handicrafts and other crafts made with recycled material. The schools CEA has been working with are preschool Malintzin, Montessori Primary Otoch Paal, and Telesecundaria José Vasconcelos.

Things you can donate:

Digital camera with rechargeable battery
Scissors
Construction paper (different colors)
Hard- and soft-bristle brushes
Adhesive tape (clear, brown, gaffer, fragile, masking tape, parcel posting tape, etc.)
Sharpie markers
Acrylic paint (different colors)
Plastic palettes
Watercolors
Plastic tool set for clay
Rattail cord
Chinese knotting cord
Opaline sheets
Plastic beads
Tool box (to transport things)
Fabric
School glue
2" brushes

Please refer to CEA's online wishlist for a complete listing of items and supplies needed throughout the year.

Volunteer!
Each of the CEA programs is dependent on volunteers for its success. There is a recuperation cost for the basic expenses related with your stay, such as the kitchen, cleaning, water, gas, internet, electric, repairs and maintenance. The volunteer fees for the Marine Ecosystems Program are $200 usd/month and $1,500 usd for the Reef Monitoring Subprogram (Grants are available for Mexican Citizens). The monthly fee for other programs is $200 usd (Foreigners) and $100 usd (Mexican citizens). These fees are not tax deductible.

Participate in a Beach Clean Up day!
CEA has been actively cleaning up Akumal's beaches for over 18 years. In 2012, CEA organized three successful beach clean up days! All the trash collected is counted and weighed and the data sent to the Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Cleanup providing a country-by-country, state-by-state, item-by-item accounting of marine trash. Subscribe to the CEA newsletter to receive updates about Beach Clean Ups in 2013 to see if one of these events coincides with your visit to the Riviera Maya!

For further information:
info@ceakumal.org
984-875-9095

12 Days/12 Ways 2012 - Hekab Be Library in Akumal

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:01:00 GMT

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

__________________________________________________________________

Hekab Be Library promotes literacy and learning opportunities among children and adults in Quintana Roo, Mexico, in order to meet their educational goals. Serving as a tool for educational, social and economic progress, we provide individuals and families with resources for scholastic advancement, helping improve people’s language and literacy skills, while promoting cultural preservation and awakening the desire to understand other customs and ways of thinking.

The Hekab Be Library, started in 1995, acquaints young children with books, provides learning resources for school children and offers literacy and writing classes for adults. In addition, the library offers after-school activities and tutoring, reading and math programs, arts & crafts workshops and yoga classes for children. Adults can participate in classes in English, Spanish and Maya. The library also presents parenting and health seminars and hosts local AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings and secondhand clothing bazaars.

This year, Hekab Be said goodbye to beloved librarian Carlos Canul and "Hola" to new library director, Mariana Galindo Lando. Mariana, originally from Veracruz, has called Akumal home for the past six years. Mariana has a B.A. in primary education and is a certified elementary teacher. She has worked as a teacher at various schools in Veracruz and in the Riviera Maya, most recently as a teacher at Instituto Vittorio Monteverdi in Tulúm.

As the new library director, Mariana has many goals, the foremost being to create an educational atmosphere that is welcoming to people of all ages. She will be implementing new programs including classes in music, dance, and other arts and it is her desire to see HB become not just a center for education, but also a cultural hub for the Akumal community.

How can YOU help?

Support the Hekab Be "Library Angels" Program!
The Hekab Be library is 100% donation driven. In 2011 Hekab Be inaugurated their "Library Angels" program to encourage people to become monthly sponsors of the library. The goal is to generate a steady, dependable monthly income to be supplemented by fundraising efforts. The money donated is used for the library's programs, supplies and teachers salaries which make up about 75% of the library's operating expenses. The amount given each month is entirely up to the sponsor and can be automatically deducted from the sponsor's account with the new "Subscription" button via Paypal. Those who use Bill Pay through their can also set up automatic donations. Email akumallibrary@gmail.com for the correct setup information. USD donations are tax deductible!

Each quarter, Library Updates will be sent out directly to all of the Library Angels so that they can be kept informed on the activities and goings on at the library. To make a one time donation or to become a "Library Angel", please visit the Hekab Be Blog and choose to either DONATE or SUBSCRIBE!

Buy a Hekab Be T-shirt:
Show your support of Hekab Be by buying and proudly wearing a t-shirt from the new Cafe Press Hekab Be T-shirt Store! T-shirts are available in men's and women's sizes. Cool tote bags are also available, perfect for hauling your beach reads and sunscreen! A variety of colorful and whimsical designs are offered.

Donate books and library supplies:

Books - All reading levels in SPANISH
A durable digital camera/memory card
Chess sets
Packs of solid colored craft foam sheets, used for arts and crafts projects
Double sided tape
Flat head thumbtacks
Colored pencils
Liquid white glue such as Elmer's
Water based/washable liquid paints such as Crayola kids paint (liter size or larger)
Construction paper
Laminating sheets, various sizes, but especially letter size
Child safe scissors with rounded points
3 ring binders
Letter size clear plastic sleeves that can be used in a 3 ring binder
Thick or jumbo crayons
Play Doh (or generic brand)-- small size cans keep longer in this climate
Bead sets for making bracelets and necklaces
Popsicle sticks
White-out or any brand of liquid corrector
Poster board, white or any color. Sam's and City Club in Playa del Carmen sell this in packs of 100-200 sheets
Various kinds of paper to use in art projects: tissue paper, crepe paper & shiny/foil paper in assorted colors
Blank white paper (8-1/2 x 11) such as copy paper or any standard paper sold in bulk

Photo from the Akumalian

Here is a list of gifts that children who frequent the library said they would like to receive for Christmas this year. These are the gifts most requested, and of course, the library welcomes any kind of toy donations and assistance to give these special children a very Merry Christmas!

Hot wheels race tracks
Back packs & messenger bags
Dolls, baby dolls & accessories
Doll houses
Skateboards or other thing with wheels you can ride
Toy cell phones
Soccer balls
Diaries that lock with a key
Wrist watches
"Connect 4" game
Roller skates
Stuffed animals
Barbies
Remote control cars
Toy train sets
Max Steel action figures
Dinosaur figures
Toy instruments such as guitars, drums

If you are in Akumal, your donations can be left at the library during business hours Monday - Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm (closed from 1pm-2:30pm for lunch) and on Saturdays 9am - 1pm. Spanish language books for all reading levels are always welcomed! If you are not going to be in Akumal in time for Christmas but would like to send us some toys or books, email the library and they may be able to find someone who can bring it down: akumallibrary@gmail.com.

Your support is needed and appreciated in helping give the kids a Happy Holiday Party every year! If you would like to share in the joy of giving, please come to the Annual Hekab Be Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 19 at 3:00 pm. There will be singing by the kids, a pinata, food and of course, Santa will be on hand handing out the gifts! Please come if you are in town! For updates, you can also follow Hekab Be on Facebook!

12 Days/12 Ways 2012 - Tierra de Animales Cancun

Rob Kinnon — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:01:00 GMT

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

This beloved traditional holiday song is the inspiration for our Holiday Giving Blog Series, "12 Days/12 Ways", a promotional effort of goodwill we started in 2010 to draw attention to 12 not-for-profit groups or charitable organizations in Playa del Carmen and along the Riviera Maya. So many people from around the world travel to the Riviera Maya during the holiday season. Many reach out to us via regional message boards and Facebook looking for a way to give back to the less fortunate residents in our local communities. 12 Days/12 Ways was started to help these generous, kind-hearted visitors find legitimate and worthy charitable organizations to support, addressing their particular needs for this holiday season.

__________________________________________________________________

Tierra de Animales sanctuary was founded in March 2011 as a refuge for Cancun's forgotten and abandoned street dogs, known locally as ‘perros callejeros'. Animals rescued by Tierra de Animales from the streets now have a safe place to call home, and a place to heal from the unfortunate circumstances that left them alone and abandoned. The mission of Tierra de Animales is clear....to rescue, rehabilitate, sterilize, socialize and adopt. Dogs who once had virtually no chance of survival, those that have been injured, abused and those simply abandoned or born on the streets. Now all have a second chance at a better life. Tierra de Animales rescues dogs from Cancun, surrounding small villages and regularly rescues dogs who are on ‘death row' from the pound in Playa del Carmen. Many dogs that no one else will help are rescued and rehabilitated by Tierra de Animales. At TdA, they receive food, medicine, love and the chance to bond and play with other dogs who all share a history of neglect and abandonment. The sanctuary was founded and is operated by Ricardo Pimentel, who lives on the sanctuary property and cares for all of the dogs personally.

Most visitors to Mexico will immediately notice the large numbers of homeless street dogs and cats. It is a very challenging problem, one that requires both the immediate rescue of animals in danger and aggressive spay and neuter campaigns to combat the overall situation. Recently, Tierra de Animales finished construction of their own on-site clinic to help serve the needs of their own dogs and also offer very low cost sterilizations for animals from the surrounding villages. This vital ongoing service, coupled with sponsoring free temporary sterilization clinics, will truly make a difference in lessening the number of animals on the streets. Already in the past year, TdA was able to organize a 3 day successful spay and neuter campaign in the neighborhood of Bonfil, Cancun, and just this fall another in the small town of Leona Vicario. In the coming year, TdA plans to sponsor and conduct at least three more sterilization clinics to assist the community and animals who are suffering in the streets and having unwanted litters. TdA has also launched an outreach program this past year to young school children in Cancun. Regular visits are made to schools with dogs from the sanctuary to teach the children about the responsibility of having a pet, proper care for an animal and to respect animals.

Tierra de Animales is located on the Cancun-Merida free highway (the ‘old' highway) roughly 25 kilometers west of Cancun, just a few kilometers shy of the small town of Leona Vicario. It is an area of small ranches, agricultural land and jungle, and the perfect place for the sanctuary to be established and have room to grow in the future. Raw jungle land was purchased here only in March of 2011, and with many hard labored hours has been transformed into what it is today. There is plenty of fenced, wide open area for the dogs to run and play and also outdoor sheltered runs for dogs that need to remain kenneled for awhile for behavioral or medical reasons. Also, the main building houses a bathing area, food storage and interior kennels for puppies or dogs who have special medical needs. A separate quarantine building and clinic are now located on-site and provide much needed protected space and kennels for dogs and cats recovering from injuries, operations and for new arrivals.

While the overall area of the sanctuary is large, more work is being done to make room for ongoing needs. An outdoor penned and sheltered area houses new arrivals until they can be medically vetted, while an indoor area house those receiving intensive care and needing isolation. Future plans include building housing for visiting veterinarians seeking training in shelter medicine and for volunteers to stay as well. Plans are also underway soon to design a boarding facility or 'hotel' for pets on the property, so that the sanctuary can offer quality boarding and generate income to help sustain the daily operations and needs of the dogs.

How Can YOU Help?

Make a Monetary Donation! 
The development of the sanctuary has been a massive undertaking, and Tierra de Animales relies solely on personal donations to operate, construct and feed all of the hungry mouths every day. The sanctuary can receive donations through PAYPAL via the email address ayuda@tierradeanimales.org. The website for the sanctuary, www.tierradeanimales.org (and also www.helpmexicandogs.com) offers many galleries of photos of the sanctuary, adoptive families and available dogs for adoption. Donations can be made from the website and monthly sponsorship donations are encouraged and greatly appreciated as the form the backbone of support for the dogs.

Tierra de Animales is currently finalizing its AC charity status in Mexico, and tax-deductible receipts will hopefully be available soon for Mexican citizens. Also, donors from the US can make tax-deductible contributions through the non-profit Lost Dog Foundation, a 501 c3 charity which aids Tierra de Animales and serves animals in need in the Yucatan. (www.lostdogfoundation.org)

Donate Food and Supplies! 
Locally, donations of food and other items are always critically needed:

dry dog food (croquetas)
canned food for sick or older dogs and puppies
canned tuna and raw chicken for sick dogs and dogs with mange
anti-flea/tick solutions like Bovitraz/Amitraz and topical treatments
heartworm preventative
dog shampoo (medicated for mange and regular)
large plastic or metal dog feeding bowls, plastic 1 gallon and 5 gallon buckets
brooms and pooper scoopers, bleach and disinfectant cleaners, towels and paper towels
donations of bags of dog food, or cash donations earmarked for food purchase
antibiotics...particularly doxyclycline and amoxicillin, as well as pain medications
wound care supplies...topical antibiotic, Veterycin, antiseptics
Ivomec (ivermectin) for mange treatment
heartworm/erhlichia tests (Snap 3dx or 4dx)
plastic travel crates suitable for airline shipping
absorbable sutures, (2-0, 3-0) syringes and needles **made bold
adjustable nylon collars

Volunteer! 
Volunteers are always welcome at the sanctuary! The dogs LOVE visitors! Saturdays are days when local residents are encouraged to come and help wash the dogs, play with them, help clean kennels and the grounds, and many more projects. Other days are generally fine for visitation as well, however, please contact the sanctuary before visiting as there is no ‘staff' there, only a staff of one usually! Additionally there are local events that the sanctuary always needs volunteers' help with. Please get in touch if you can help in this way. Event helpers can contact Elvia at elviatda@hotmail.com. In the US and Canada, volunteers are needed to help establish networks of potential foster and adoptive homes for the rescued dogs. Assistance is needed in fundraising, marketing and general promotion. Please contact Lisa Edwards at helpmexicandogs[at]hotmail.com for more information.

Become a Fan!  
Become a fan of Tierra de Animales on Facebook and follow along with all of the developments and see how happy a former street dog can be when given a second chance! Get in touch today and see how you can help the dogs of Tierra de Animales.

Buy Cool TdA Merchandise! 
Tierra de Animales merchandise is also available for purchase: sanctuary t-shirts, street dog t-shirts, women's tank tops, beverage ‘koozies' and also 2012 calendars, hot off the press! Contact the email above to purchase, or via the Tierra de Animales Facebook page.

Adopt!  
With over 230 dogs (and 25 cats!) currently residing on the grounds of the sanctuary, Tierra de Animales is actively seeking loving adoptive families for their dogs. Local adoptions are not enough to handle all of the need, and adoptions to the US, Canada and elsewhere are very much needed. Arrangements can easily be made for transporting adopted dogs to the US and Canada, and dogs can be checked as ‘luggage' on several airlines with just a little notice. Tierra de Animales can also arrange to ship a dog to you if you choose to adopt. Tierra de Animales works closely with Canadian animal welfare group CANDI International, Pawsitive Match Rescue (Calgary) and Pet Project Rescue (Minneapolis, Minnesota), who all assist in placing dogs in foster and permanent care in Canada and the US. Please consider adopting a great dog from this sanctuary. By adopting a dog and providing a nice home, you also make room for another needy ex-street dog to be rescued by Tierra de Animales.

All adoption, donation and general questions can be sent to Lisa Edwards, the US/Canada and general representative for the sanctuary, at the email address helpmexicandogs[at]hotmail.com or via Facebook.

Holiday Zumbathon Raises Money for Playa del Carmen's Needy

Rob Kinnon — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 11:00:00 GMT

On Friday December 14, 2012 BuyPlaya Real Estate Advisors and FurnitureMEX hosted a Holiday Zumbathon in Playa del Carmen to support the efforts of Christmas Dreams Playa. The event was organized by Mary Martinez and lead by certified Zumba instructors from around the globe. Over 100 people turned out to dance and have fun and raise money for this fledgling charitable organization.

Christmas Dreams Playa is a grassroots charitable group which organizes the collection and distribution of thousands of Christmas presents for disadvantaged and special needs children. The group also provides warm blankets and essential non-perishable food items for at risk families and vulnerable elders in the community.

BuyPlaya and FurnitureMEX staff were be on hand receiving donations of toys, warm blankets and non-perishable food items to distribute to Playa del Carmen's most disadvantaged families. Through this event, funds were raised to provide blankets and a basket of non-perishable food items for 25 of Playa del Carmen's most at-risk families.

Click here for more information about Christmas Dreams Playa and how you can contribute.

Zumbathon 2012 Video by Ken Brownlee - Visual Media Productions

12 Days/12 Ways 2012 - Playa Animal Rescue A.C. PAR

Rob Kinnon — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 11:00:00 GMT

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

__________________________________________________________________

Playa Animal Rescue A.C. is a non-profit no kill shelter located in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. PAR is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating injured and abandoned dogs and to finding permanent loving homes for each of them. PAR is committed to promoting responsible pet ownership through community outreach and education as well as promoting sterilization of companion animals. This community outreach to educate on the importance of sterilization and good pet care is vital to solving the street dog problem in this area. PAR has forged excellent working relationships with the other animal rescue organizations in the area to share resources and better serve the animals in need and to ensure that all current and future PAR animals are sterilized, vaccinated and moved forward into loving forever homes.

In October 2011, Playa Animal Rescue was established and took over the care of the dogs from another shelter. Immediately, PAR began a quest to find and acquire land where a permanent shelter could be built to accommodate all the animals in one place. The goal: to build a permanent facility to house and rehabilitate all the dogs until homes can be found for them, a safe place where they can get healthy and strong, socialize with people and learn how to be good pets.

Through a donation from a very generous family, a parcel of land was acquired and a new permanent shelter was built in Playa del Carmen. Construction of the new facility was completed in March 2012 and all the dogs were moved into their new home the following month, an exciting milestone and a dream fulfilled for concerned animal lovers on the Riviera Maya and abroad. Since forming the Civil Association in October of 2011, PAR has served approx. 200 dogs and found loving homes for over 115. PAR is now able to staff a full-time veterinarian, Dr. Mauricio, and a caretaker, Carlos, to manage the daily needs of the dogs and the facility. Both Mauricio and Carlos live on-site so the dogs have access to 24 care and attention as needed.

How can YOU help?

Make a monetary donation!
You can donate via Paypal from the Playa Animal Rescue web site and the PAR Facebook Page by clicking on the donate button. PAR receives no Governmental funding and is 100% dependent on donations to continue operations. Playa Animal Rescue received it's Civil Association status in early December 2011, becoming a legal charitable organization in Mexico. this year, PAR is pleased to announce that they are now a registered 501c3 organization in the United States! Your generous USD donations are now fully tax deductible!

In the US or Canada, monetary donations may also be sent to:

Playa Animal Rescue
20 Copperfield Avenue
North Easton, MA 02356

Every donation, large or small, helps to save a dog's life!

Make a donation from the wishlist!
Help the daily operations of the shelter by donating much needed items and supplies. Most of the items are used frequently and need to be replaced/replenished on a regular basis. Other items, such as a reliable vehicle to transport rescue and transport animals, washer/dryer, refrigerator, pressure washer etc. are more long term goals for the permanent facility. If you live locally and are planning to replace any of your older household appliances please consider donating the older models to the PAR shelter.

Animal Grooming Supplies:
Flea and tick shampoo
Ear cleaning solution
Q Tips
Tweezers for tick removal
Cotton balls
Brushes
Wire slicker brushes
Dog clippers
Heavy duty nail trimmers
Flea combs

Cleaning Supplies:
Puppy training pads
Bleach
Sturdy garbage/collection bags
Laundry detergent
Rakes
Dustpans
Wash cloths/dish towels/hand towels
Antibacterial hand sanitizer
Buckets and mops
Clothes line and pins

Medical Supplies:
Non-latex gloves - mixed sizes
Scissors
Hot water bottles heat pads
Heat lamps
Animal thermometers
Scale to weigh animals
Antibiotic ointment
Frontline flea and tick prevention
Heartguard heartworm prevention
Animal vitamins
Animal nursing bottles
Rubbing alcohol
Hydrogen peroxide
Disinfecting wipes
Syringes
Anti-fungal cream
Blood stop powder

Food and Feeding Supplies:
Dog and puppy food
Cat and kitten food
Dog treats/biscuits
Dentasticks/Dentabones etc.
Stainless steel bowls - mixed sizes

Maintenance Supplies:
Hose
Spray nozzles - variable jets
Tarps
Bungees cords
Heavy duty pressure washer
Garden sprayers

Other Supplies:
Blankets
Pet carriers
Pet beds
Collars and leashes
Doggie toys e.g. kong, nylon bones etc
Cat scratching toys
Pet friendly mosquito spray - for volunteers
Portable fans
Portable air conditioner
Laminating pouches and laminating machine
Washing machine and dryer
Refrigerator
Gazebo/shade structures
Folding/stacking chairs

PAR also has a wishlist on Amazon.com. Just go to Amazon.com and click on wish list, then type in Playa Animal Rescue.

Volunteer!

Playa Animal Rescue has *Spa and Play Day* every Saturday. If you would like to join in the fun, the group meets in the Mega parking lot on Saturday mornings at 11:30 am where transportation will be provided to and from the shelter. All of the dogs love time spent with people! Come visit the new shelter, walk a dog, play with a puppy, help clean up or medicate dogs.

Adopt!
Do you have a place in your heart and home for a dog? Cross border adoptions are easy, and we will facilitate them for you. If you would like to adopt a PAR dog or puppy, please send an email to info[at]playaanimalrescue.org.

Foster!
Foster homes are always desperately needed. The dogs need to learn to love in a home and be good pets. In addition, they benefit greatly from the one-on-one attention. If you are able to foster a PAR dog or puppy, please send an email to info[at]playaanimalrescue.org.

Sponsor!
Would you like to Sponsor a PAR Animal? Though the Playa Animal Rescue Sponsorship Program you can sponsor the PAR animal of your choice! Your monthly sponsorship donation will go directly toward food, shelter and medical care for your chosen PAR animal, helping provide a better life for a deserving and loving dog or puppy.

For more information
U.S. 1-508-297-4141
info[at]playaanimalrescue.org

12 Days/12 Ways 2012 - Coco's Cat Rescue A.C.

Rob Kinnon — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 11:00:00 GMT

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

The "12 Day/12 Ways" list has not yet been completed for 2011. If you have a favorite charity that you feel belongs on this list, collect all of the information you can and I will be happy to consider your group for inclusion.

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Coco's Cat Rescue is a non-profit organization started by Laura Raikes in March of 2009. Since Laura was a young girl she was helping her dad in farming and started rescuing all kinds of animals from bats to dogs, cats and even bottle feeding goats and lambs. One of the rescued cats was Igor who had only one eye after an attack by a crow. He is still a much loved family pet back home in Wales.

After moving to Mexico and marrying her husband Carlos their cat, Coco, was run over, as many of the drivers in Mexico see cats as a pest and make no attempt to avoid them if they see them on the road. Laura decided she wanted to help address the problem of too many stray cats-which leads them to be cruelly treated. A week after Coco's death, Laura heard a distressed kitten "Rambo" in the jungle, hence the name Rambo. She has then continued her work rescuing kittens and spaying/neutering feral cats in her efforts to help the animal population in the Riviera Maya. Each kitten that is rescued is in dedication to her very own lost pet Coco.

Also working on reducing the population, Laura began a spay and neuter clinic working with Kelley Anthony and the veterinarian Claudia Lewy spaying and neutering feral cats, rescued kittens and pets whose owners simply could not afford to sterilize their cats. Laura realized more needed to be done and asked for support from more vets. Before long, seven different vets in Playa were volunteering in the spay/neuter program for cats organized by Laura. As the support grew for the project Laura began to meet many other dedicated volunteers and saw the need and opportunity for something bigger. Therefore in dedication to Coco, Coco's Cat Rescue was created.

Coco's Cat Rescue has a no kill policy and is dedicated to reducing the cat population in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. They achieve this via a TNR (trap spay/neuter and return) program for feral cats, and a rescue, treat, spay/neuter, and tame program for kittens under 3 months. The aim is to find a permanent loving home for all the rescued kittens in their care.

Coco's Cat Rescue provides free or low cost spay/neuter surgeries and basic pet care to those on a low income. While the primary focus is cats, Coco's clinic also provides spay/neuter services for dogs through grants from Sociedad Protección Animales de Peninsula (SPAP) and Veterinarios Internacionales Dedicados a Animales Sanos (VIDAS).

CCR is committed to education which encourages responsible pet ownership and challenges negative associations with feral cats and consequent cruelty. Their long term mission is to greatly increase the number of animals that they are able to assist and expand their model to embrace other local areas in need of services.

CCR also initiates and manages the "Cat Café" program with hotels of the Riviera Maya. The concept of the Cat Café was developed by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), to humanely address the problem of feral cat populations gathering around resorts, where there are usually tourists willing to feed and pet them. This can easily get out of control and then, understandably, the hotel will want to get rid of the animals. However studies and experience have shown, as long as the source of food, water and shelter remains available, others will soon take the place of the cats removed. These are eliminated in turn and it becomes a never ending story.

If, instead, a stable colony of sterilized and medically attended cats is permitted to stay on the premises, this will prevent newcomers from moving in and also keep rodents at bay. The Cat Café program has proven successful in a number of countries worldwide. The project includes:

Trapping of resort cats for spay/neuter, rabies vaccine, and parasite medication. This results in a healthy and non-reproductive cat population.
Building of a Cat Café. This provides a feeding area on hotel grounds away from the kitchen, restaurant, and guest areas.
Consistent nutritious feeding of cats at scheduled times.
The cats will learn to come to the Cat Café for food (and purified water) instead of seeking food from guests and resort staff.

To the hotels, there are significant benefits from implementation of a Cat Café, including:

Humanely solving the cat overpopulation problem.
Preventing rodent populations.
Reducing health risks to employees and guests.
Positively involving employees and guests.
Establishing their hotel as a local leader in proactive and humane overpopulation solutions for feral animals – an issue which greatly disturbs tourists and affects tourism.
Once the Cat Café program has been fully implemented, the feral cat populations attached to the hotel will have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and de-wormed, and their ongoing health monitored by Coco’s Cat Rescue as well as by the hotel. Sterilization is indicated by a clip made on a cat’s left ear at the same time the surgery is done. This is an international symbol the cat has been sterilized.

In line with the guidelines for cat cafes, the hotel provides the area away from guest and kitchen areas, feeds the cats only in this designated area, provides purified water and usually some shelter. Naturally, it is very important that guests do not feed the cats in any other area, so they become accustomed to going to the café for food. The café is staffed by volunteer cat-loving employees and guests are welcome to interact with the cats there if they wish.

Why Coco's is Not a Shelter:
Coco's mission is not to be a shelter. When quarantine space allows, they can take a rescued kitten into Coco's care. They help kittens as space allows. Coco’s primary mission is Spaying and neutering which addresses the bigger/ongoing problem. There will never be a shelter big enough for all the cats and kittens on the streets which is why Coco’s Cat Rescue chooses not to become a shelter and to focus on spay and neuter. This way they are preventing the problem and in the long run preventing the unwanted animals on the streets from being born. When you look at the statistics of how there are over 14,000 cats on the streets in Playa alone it is crucial that CCR focus on spay and neuter.

Why Coco’s Cat Rescue is full at times:
With over 14,000 cats and kittens on the streets of Playa del Carmen alone Coco’s Cat Rescue is overwhelmed with kittens most of the time. As they do not have a shelter and only have space for 15-20 kittens at any one time they are almost always full. Coco’s Cat Rescue has very strict quarantine rules. When a new kitten arrives at Coco’s Cat Rescue it must be kept separate from other kittens for at least 15 days meanwhile the kitten undergoes treatment for parasites and receives its first vaccine. There are also many other contagious conditions like a virus or skin conditions like ring worm and mange which require a longer quarantine. CCR prefers to have 20 healthy kittens than 50 sick ones even if this means having to say no to people who ask them to take in more rescued kittens. Some illnesses are life threatening and by putting one sick kitten in a room with 10 other healthy ones they could end up losing them all!

In order to better assist and support those animals they cannot accept at a certain time, Coco's Cat Rescue has started a new program and hopes to be able to help more people to foster and ultimately find homes for the kittens they find or rescue.

When kittens cannot be taken in by Coco's due to space being full they can assist you with these things:

Free spay and neuter
Free first rabies vaccinations.
Free de-parasite meds
Free general exam for rescued animal with Coco's Vet
Free meds/help if the rescued kitten is injured
Free kitten milk, bottle and a lesson on how to care for younger kittens who can not eat by themselves.
Easy to use Poster Template for creating adoption posters.

This program is for rescued kittens only that have not yet been adopted. Coco's Cat Rescue is not able to offer vaccinations or general exams for people’s pets. We would like to continue to support the local vets who work hard and helped us get the program going.

Coco's does have a permanent spay and neuter clinic for OWNED dogs or cats and rescued animals.

Since it's inception in 2009, Coco's Cat Rescue has sterilized 6500 cats and dogs.

How can YOU help?

Donate!
Good News for US Donors! Through collaboration with "ViDAS" a US, animal welfare organization, your generous gift to Coco's Cat Rescue is now tax-deductible! To obtain your tax-deductible receipt, checks may be made payable to "ViDAS," and mailed to P.O. Box 20246, Boulder, CO 80308-3246. Please list "Coco’s Cat Rescue" in the memo section on the check. Sponsor a kitten each month for any donation.

Buy a Coco's Cat Rescue 2012 Calendar!
12 stunning photographs of the charming Coco's kittens. A must buy for cat lovers! Only $20usd / $200mn each. Makes a great Holiday gift or stocking stuffer for the cat lovers in your life!

Adopt or foster a kitty!
There are many kittens looking for a forever home. To adopt a kitten you will be asked to give a donation of 250 pesos. This includes the spay/neuter of the kitten. You will also be asked to bring a copy of your ID, proof of where you live, fill out the adoption form and answer some questions. Coco's does all they can to ensure that the kittens are going to the best of homes! Cross border adoptions are very easy. CCR will sort out all the paperwork and can help find a "mule" if you are unable to take the kitten home yourself. You will be responsible for paying the flight fee and the adoption fee of 250 pesos.

Volunteer!
Coco's is always in need of volunteers! You may help by fostering a kitten, helping to trap feral cats and transporting animals from the perrera. Allergic to cats (like me)? There are still many ways you can help. You may collect donations from drop boxes, shop for supplies, manage the transportation calendar, write grants and proposals or assist with annual projects like the calendar and the cookbook.

Contribute items from the wishlist!
From the wish list the most needed items right now are:

Cat Traps
Flea and tick meds for dogs and cats
Dog and cat cages/travel carriers
Powdered milk for kittens
De-worming medicine

Please check the wishlist online for a complete list of current needs!

Come cuddle the kittens!
Every Friday afternoon, between 2pm and 4pm, Coco's cat Rescue opens its doors to cat lovers young and old for an afternoon of cuddling. The cats and kittens in residence at Coco's need all the affection and attention they can get. All that fuzzy love has a great affect on the humans as well! Email info@cocoscatrescue for a map and directions!

For more information:
Laura Jonguitud Raikes - President & Founder
info@cocoscatrescue.org
984-120-0572
www.cocoscatrescue.org

12 Days/12 Ways 2012 - KKIS (Keeping Kids in School) Playa del Carmen

Rob Kinnon — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:00:00 GMT

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

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For the past few years, a caring group of Playa del Carmen residents and frequent flyers banded together to help spread a bit of Christmas joy to the less fortunate children of our region. In December 2011 this program, now known as "Christmas Dreams Playa" was able to provide gifts for over 200 children who might otherwise receive no present at all for the holidays. We were proud to not only feature "Christmas Dreams Playa" in our 12 Days/12 Ways blog series but also to contribute personally to this amazing effort of good will! In total over $86,000 mn worth of presents, school supplies and food essentials were distributed by "Christmas Dreams Playa" during the 2011 holiday season, an amazing accomplishment.

During the 2011 Christmas Dreams Playa project, one of the participating schools stood out as one that would benefit from and be welcome to sustainable assistance beyond the annual Holiday gift giving. The Pelopides School, an elementary school in the under-served Guadalupana neighborhood on the north side of Playa, was very receptive to the idea of creating a long-term partnership through which an outside group could offer assistance to the school, its students and families throughout the year. The school is run by the La Salle organization of the Catholic Church. While it is a private school, they take in a lot of students that can't afford to go to the public schools. Their tuition is based on family income so they get a lot of students who need assistance. These students usually come to school without the required school supplies and, therefore, can't keep up with their peers.

In response to this need, the new KKIS "Keeping Kids in Schools" initiative was created. Their mission: to help keep kids enrolled in school by supplying uniforms, providing school supplies and backpacks, securing English language materials for the classroom and providing volunteers for the classrooms to help students learn English.

This particular school was selected because they are one of the few schools to provide financial scholarships their students. At the moment, 50% of their student population is afforded reduced or free tuition, known here as "becas". Some students only require a partial subsidy while others have their tuition covered in full. This school teaches English to all students for half of the day, a skill that is essential for later job placement and advancement. The school administrators are also willing to allow KKIS volunteers into their classrooms to help students learn English by reading to them. This may not seem like an extraordinary request but within the Mexican School system it is very unusual indeed.

This school teaches English to all students for half of the day, a skill that is so helpful for later job placement and advancement. KKIS volunteers come into the classrooms once a week to help students learn English by reading to them. As Pelopides School is small and their resources few, much is needed. If you are planning a trip to Playa del Carmen please consider packing some extra school supplies in your luggage. There are 420 children in the school in grades Kinder 1 - Grade 3. Blue ink pens, pencils, erasers, glue sticks, crayons, markers, scissors, rulers, paper etc. are all needed appropriate for ages 3 - 9. Age appropriate backpacks would be much appreciated as they are considerably more expensive here. (Please don't bring notebooks as the schools and the Mexican Board of Education (SEP) require very specific notebooks to be used.) English language materials such as beginning reader storybooks, games, etc are also needed.

These items can be dropped off at JAVA on Calle 10 between 5th and 10th. Of course, monetary donations are always welcome and can be made via Paypal at: KKISProject@gmail.com. For more information, contact KKIS organizer Gayle Collins at the same email address.

BuyPlaya and FurnitureMEX Host Zumbathon for Charity

Rob Kinnon — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:00:00 GMT

On Friday December 14, 2012 BuyPlaya Real Estate Advisors and FurnitureMEX will host a Holiday Zumbathon to support the efforts of Christmas Dreams Playa. This fun community event will take place in the sports facility located on Av. 20 and CTM, beginning at 6:00pm and ending at 8:00pm.

"We have invited Zumba instructors from around the world to participate in this Zumba marathon which we hope will become and annual event." said Zumbathon organizer Mary Martinez "The cost to participate is just 25 mn because we want everyone to be able to join in the fun! 100% of the funds collected are going to the charity."

Since 2000, a group of kind-hearted Playa del Carmen residents has helped local non-profits connect with those who need a little extra attention during the Holiday season. In years past, this group has helped organize the collection and distribution of thousands of Christmas presents for disadvantaged and special needs children. The group also provides warm blankets and essential non-perishable food items for at risk families and vulnerable elders in the community. During the 2011 Holiday season, over $86,000 mn worth of presents, school supplies and essentials were distributed by Christmas Dreams Playa.

BuyPlaya and FurnitureMEX staff will be on hand receiving donations of toys, warm blankets and non-perishable food items to distribute to Playa del Carmen's most disadvantaged families. For more information about the event and how you can contribute to Christmas Dreams visit the Zumbathon for Charity Facebook event page.

Maya Immersion Experience - A Visit to the Village of Señor

Rob Kinnon — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:40:00 GMT

Have you ever wondered what life is like in a Maya village today? What would it look like? How would the local people really dress, eat, work, pray and go about their daily lives? Are you interested in a cultural experience more meaningful than a quick stop for souvenirs orchestrated by a big bus tours on your way home from the ruins. I'm taking about a full day spent in a remote village talking with the local residents, meeting with village elders, learning about the proud history of the Maya in Quintana Roo. Personally, I am always on the look-out for these kinds of opportunities and this visit to the town of Señor arranged by Ojos Mayas and Xyaat Ecoturismo Comunitario Maya was just what I had been hoping for.

Our group left from downtown Playa del Carmen at 8:00 am. The tours are purposefully limited in size and there were just enough people to fill a small shuttle bus. The village of Señor is located 189 km from Playa, just to the west of Felipe Carillo Puerto. The trip took about 2 hours. The village was established 150 - 200 years ago and many of its inhabitants participated in the Yucatan Caste War. This is a community of approximately 3,000 people. Maya is the predominant language. The village elders between the ages of 60-90 speak only Maya. Their children, now aged 40 - 60, speak Maya but understand Spanish. Their grandchildren and great grandchildren speak a combination of Maya and Spanish.

Our local guide for the day was Marcos Cante Canul. Now 40 years of age, he started participating in the community's cultural activities at age 15. He began organizing this particular "tour" in 2003. Marcos is a member of Xyaat, a community co-operative that unites Maya communities with volunteers, guides and small tour operators. During the day, we had an opportunity to meet local residents, observe daily work and living routines. Marcos speaks only Maya and Spanish and his narrative throughout the day was translated into English for us by Angel, our Ojos Mayas representative. The village elders who shared their time and stories with us spoke only Maya which was translated first into Spanish and then English to accommodate our group.

Henequén thread has been made in the Yucatan peninsula for centuries and the process by which it is made has been passed down from generation to generation. The Yucatán is known for its henequén. In the early 20th century, more than 200,000 tons of henequén were cultivated and processed in nearly 200 henequén processing facilities throughout the region. The introduction of synthetic fibers in the 1950's caused an catastrophic decline in the demand for henequén. Less than 20 plantations are now left functioning producing only produces 5,000 tons every year. The majority of these fibers are used for decorative wall coverings and rugs, robes and twine.

Crecencio Pat, a respected village elder, demonstrated the laborious technique by which the fibers are extracted from the "leaf" of the agave plant, dried in the sun and then "spun" into stronger strands and rope. I jumped at the opportunity to try it myself thus solidifying my conviction that a career in manual labor would never be for me.

Crecencio Pat, 90 years young, is a descendant of Jacinto Pat, a general in the Yucatan Caste War (1847–1901).

Melipona bees and the remarkable organic honey that they produce is a major component in the economic activity in the Mayan region. The bees are tiny and sting-less and are kept in logs of felled trees rather than in modern bee keeping boxes. The nurturing of the bees and the harvesting of the honey is a long process producing little but the resulting liquid gold is highly prized and priced accordingly. The taste of this nectar is more complex than from the more productive European and Africanized honeybees. The honey from this particular species is renowned for is curative properties and is in demand for use in health, culinary and beauty products. Unfortunately, the bees are now endangered as are the secrets to the traditional methods of caring for them. The village of Señor derives a good income from the sale of this desirable product and I was delighted to be able to see the operation up close and to taste a bit of the honey.

Our next stop was to the home and garden of a Maya healer to learn natural cures and health solutions common to the region. Plant based medicine has been practiced by the Maya for centuries and I was eager to learn more about the types of plants, the growing techniques and conditions and the various applications. Sra. Catalina Ek Pat is 75 years old and is the village Healer. She maintains a wide variety of local plants, each of which is kept for its curative properties.These medicinal plants have been used for generations and are commonly applied today for contemporary ailments. Again, Doña Catalina spoke only Maya but seemed obviously pleased as we all listened intently and eagerly rubbed and smelled each specimen as it was passed to us.

Also at the home of Doña Catalina were two local women engrossed in their embroidery. The patterns they were creating were simple geometric forms based on natural themes, plants and animals. This was an enjoyable past time for the women of the village and one that could bring in a bit more income from the sale of the finished pieces. Regardless for age or social standing, according to cultural norms, a woman must not bring in more than the man of the household so much of this hand work is done for pleasure or for the benefit of the village and might be used in trade for items needed for the family. The care they took in each tiny stitch was beautiful to observe and they did not seem to mind us intruding on their afternoon gathering. They smiled politely at our group and erupted in a cacophony of laughter when we tried to get our guide to demonstrate "hamaca-sutra"!

The next highlight of this remarkable journey was to be found in the home of a revered elder of Señor. Don Abundio Yama Chiquil is 92 years old according to his passport but he thinks he may be as old as 94. He was quick to caution that the Maya used to enjoy a life expectancy well past 100 years, even reaching 120 until the introduction of modern processed foods and beverages. We stooped to enter his simple sturdy palapa home and settled in on the floor and folding chairs to listen to him speak. Under the light of a single bulb, we sat motionless, listening intently for almost an hour as he regaled us with stories of courage in the battles of the Caste War of the Yucatan ... Mayan resourcefulness and tenacity winning out over European might and gun-power! There is no first-hand written history of the Maya and so it lives on through story-telling and art. The promotion of oral history is instrumental in celebrating and protecting the invaluable contributions of the Maya, so that they can be shared with the outside world and passed down through generations of children and grandchildren. I can't do justice to the stories Don Abundio told to us ... the secrets he shared. You will just have to go and experience it for yourself.

After a fascinating visit with Don Abundio, we climbed back into the comfort of our van for a trip to Laguna Azul de Señor. Water is the heart of any Maya community. It touches all aspects of Maya life and is essential to the success of the village. Images of the flora and fauna that inhabit the lagoon can be seen in local art and handcrafts signifying its importance. The preservation of the lagoon, the plants and animals that live in and near this delicate eco-system is a high priority and this aspect of the tour helps to raise awareness about protecting natural resources. A firm commitment to the environment and the ongoing sustainability of the communities is integral to the Ojos Mayas - Yxaat relationship.

No cultural experience would be complete without a sampling of the local cuisine. At the end of a long but enjoyable day we were treated to a hearty lunch of eggs cooked with chaya, local squash, beans and the most delicious handmade tortillas that just kept coming fresh off the comal. Chilled agua de sandia was served out of hollowed gourds and helped put out the fire from the fresh habanero salsa that some of us had over-zealously applied to our meals. This was all prepared for us especially by one of the families of the Señor community. It was a delicious lunch and a nice time to sit a bit and relax and compare notes about our shared experience.

The Mayan heritage, culture and history has been pivotal in the development of the Yucatan and is crucial to its ongoing economic success. This "tour" is unique in that it enables visitors to take an in-depth look at a real Mayan society as it functions today in southern rural communities including Señor and Tihosuco. This experience provides visitors an opportunity to learn, strengthen and share information about the Maya culture, their communities, ideologies, traditions and current economic centers in 21st century Mexico.

Handmade souvenirs are of course available for purchase and are all made by members of the community from natural products, honey, regional plants and wood. The sale of this merchandise provides communities the ability to build their economic centers while visitors can carry home a reminder from this unique experience to share with friends and families back home.

The Ojos Mayas Maya village experience is structured to provide visitors with a basic history and overview of the modern day Maya living outside Felipe Carrillo Puerto in the village of Señor. The residents of Señor have managed to preserve traditional Maya language, culture, heritage and culinary arts and are eager to share their lifestyle and history with guests from around the world.  The creating and sustaining of relationships between small conscientious tour operators such as Ojos Mayas and regional co-operatives like Xyaat is how this ancient culture will continue to thrive in a modern world.

I personally came away with a more significant understanding of the modern day Maya by learning about their sustainable agriculture, medicine, handcrafts and cuisine and would jump at the chance to participate again. I am certainly going to be recommending this experience to our friends and customers. If you would like to experience this for yourself, visit the Ojos Mayas website for more information and to make a reservation. You can also connect with them on Facebook. Don't be surprised if you see me on your tour!