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

Rotary Club Rubber Ducky Regatta in Cancun MOVED to May 12th

Rob Kinnon — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 11:28:00 GMT

****The Rotary Club Rubber Ducky Race has been postponed until May 12th!!****

On May 12, Rotary Playa del Carmen Seaside will be participating with other Quintana Roo Rotary Clubs in the Grand Rubber Ducky Regatta! First prize is a house in Cancun!!! Additional awesome prizes include a motorbike, home appliances, furniture packages, flatscreen TVs and much more!

Be sure to buy your Rubber Ducky to participate - $120 pesos each! Ducks are available locally from Rotary Club members. Email pdcrotary@hotmail.com for more info or inquire on the Rotary Club Facebook page.

You don't have to be in Playa del Carmen to participate in the Rubber Ducky Regatta! You can get in the race from anywhere in the world by adopting a duck or ducks! Each duck adoption is $10US or $120MX. A PayPal account has been established for easy payment via credit card. There is no limit to the number of ducks you may adopt!

Once you adopt and make payment, your Rubber Ducky race number(s) and a photo of your souvenir duck(s) will be emailed to you! If you like, give us your address and we will mail them to you when a Rotary member returns to the US/Canada.

Be sure to check the Facebook page - Rotary Playa del Carmen Seaside - on May 12 as fun photos and the race results will be posted. Ducks have been adopted from all over Canada and the US. Don't miss it! Proceeds from Seaside Chapter's sales will go toward ongoing projects and providing computers, learning software programs and essential school supplies to Playa del Carmen's less fortunate school children! Read HERE for more information on these important Rotary programs.

Annual Auction and Luncheon to Support KKiS

Rob Kinnon — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 16:20:00 GMT

The 2nd Annual KKiS Project Fundraiser will be held on February 28th at 11:00am at Wah Wah Beach Bar on 2nd and the beach. The event will be a luncheon and live auction with a wide array of amazing prizes donated by generous Playa locals and friends from abroad! The KKiS Project, headed up by Playa resident Gayle Collins, is an organization of American and Canadian ex-pats who provide support to under-privileged school children in the Playa del Carmen area. 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 past year, KKiS organizers and volunteers provided school supplies, uniforms and English language curriculum materials for over 275 children. With the support of the Playa del Carmen Seaside Rotary Club and countless volunteers, KKiS logged over 170 hours of volunteer time reading in English and working with children on their English language skills at the Pelopides School. Pelopides is an elementary school in the under-served Guadalupana neighborhood on the north side of Playa. These students usually come to school without the required school supplies and therefore, can't keep up with their peers.

This particular school was selected because they are one of the few private 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 and teachers have welcomed KKIS volunteers into their classrooms to help students learn English by reading to them. Just recently, KKiS has been able to initiate a similar reading program with another school in Cristo Rey, a remote community outside of Playa del Carmen. This may not seem like an extraordinary program but similar offers of assistance to public schools in the city have been rebuffed.

Tickets for the luncheon are $20USD or $250 pesos per person. You may purchase tickets from committee members or by calling 984-127-8881.Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the event. The auction will be conducted in English and all bids will be in US dollars. Payment can be made in dollars or pesos (at a 12:1 exchange rate). Payment through Paypal is also available (bring your user name and password or your own laptop). This auction is the only fundraiser organized by KKiS in the calendar year. This year's goal is to raise enough money to supply 500 children with school supplies.

Among the many wonderful auctions items available this year are:

Wine from Off the Vine selected by Ricardo Galaxia
$300 peso Gift Certificate from Jurgen at Mom's Bar
WearEarth Eco-bags from Alicia Meno
Mexican folk art and Talavera pottery
3 - Passes for Rio Secreto
3 - Yoga Classes with Arielle at Yoga by the Sea
Talavera Iguana from Alicia at Siete Detales
An original Painting by Ellie Newman
2 All-Inclusive Golf Packages at the Playacar Golf Resort
500 Business cards from Ink Me
Dinner for 4 people with wine at Origenes Restaurant
A Music Session with award winning Blues musician Brent Parkin
A Unique Shell and Bead Mobile by artist Janet Lowe
Teeth Cleaning by Dr. Jorge Armenta
Teeth Whitening by Dr. Scot Lyall
Haircut, Pedicure and Manicure by Cece Sweatt
1 - 2 Hour Photo Session with Kat Carroll of Cats Eye Creations
2 - Cooking Classes at the Little Mexican Cooking School in Puerto Morelos
2 - $250 peso Girft Certificates for Cheesters Restaurant
Original "Valladolid Rectory" painting by artist Janet Lowe
4 night stay at Buena Madera in Playacar (up to 10 people)
Gourmet Dinner for 8 by Danish Chef Kaj Skov
Original "Palapa" watercolor painting by artist Barry Launius
1 month membership to The Gym
1 - 3 Day Spanish Course with Suzanne and Shawn Bandick
Gift Certificate for 1.5 hr massage with Emily Schwartze
2 - All-Inclusive Day Passes to the Reef Club in Playacar
2 - Passes to the Captain Hook Adventure in Cancun

For a complete list of auction prizes, please visit the KKiS Facebook page!

New this year is the "Friends of KKiS" program which will be inaugurated at the Auction. This is a means for the project to have a predictable stream of steady income, allowing the organizers to better plan their activities from one year to the next. In order to become a "Friend of KKiS", simply fill out an application at the luncheon and indicate which annual sponsorship level you are able to commit to: $100, $200, or $300 USD. You can also request an application via email from Gayle Collins sgcollins[at]charter.net. Four times a year you will receive updates and progress reports from KKiS and be credited as a supporter on the KKiS website.

If you can't be in Playa for the auction, but still want to help, please bring school supplies with you from the US or Canada. School supplies expensive and are a huge burden for most families. All backpacks and school supplies can be dropped off at JAVA coffee shop on 10th street between 5th and 10th Ave between 7am and 3pm. You can also make a donation through Paypal using the email address kkisproject[at]gmail.com.

It's Official!

Rob Kinnon — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:25:00 GMT

Last Tuesday, at the weekly meeting, I was inducted into the Rotary Club Playa del Carmen Seaside Chapter as an active member! President Bob Hyde presided over the short but official ceremony and presented me with my Rotary pin. I grew up in a family where volunteerism and community service was encouraged and expected, even of me as a child. My mother, an avid horticulturist, would take me once a month to the Child's Nursing Home where we would diligently tend the patients' gardens, pulling weeds, splitting ungainly perennials that had outgrown their space and adding in favorites selected from our own garden at home. My father was also an fantastic gardener but vegetables were more his forte. For his part, he converted several empty lots we owned in the poorer sections of the city into community gardens to be used by not only our tenants but their friends and families. I can remember long afternoons in the early spring shoveling and transporting thousands of pounds of composted manure from our property to the city gardens to enrich the soil. In the fall, we would return to till-under the dying plants into the ground putting the beds to rest for the long winter months in upstate New York.

As an adult (notice I did not say grown-up) I have worked on and contributed to countless fundraisers and participated on numerous boards and committees. I am particularly proud to have participating in the founding committee for Taste of Playa which has become one of the Riviera Maya's most anticipated events. It was through my involvement with Taste of Playa that I was introduced to Rotary when we were invited as special guests to sit in on a meeting and present our proposal to them. That Chapter has been active in Playa for over 20 years but, unfortunately, the membership is not open to women so I am pleased to be welcomed into this newly chartered club and look forward to working with them on many exciting and beneficial community projects!

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+.

Used Computers and Laptops Needed for Local School

Rob Kinnon — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Rotary Club of Playa del Carmen Seaside, an English speaking club in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico - on the Yucatan Peninsula - is soliciting used PC laptops, desktops and tablets in good working order to provide to the classrooms of Mayan children in our area. The used PCs will provide these children access to software that will allow them to develop and improve their English language skills, computer keyboarding skills, math skills, and more.

If you have a used desktop, laptop or tablet PC computer to donate, it will go a long way in providing these children an opportunity to learn the skills needed for employability and a brighter future. Perhaps you know a business, university or organization that is upgrading their computer system and would donate their used equipment.

Our club is looking to collect 28 PCs for our initial school implementation, with additional schools to follow, so any PCs you are able to donate would be most appreciated.

Initial efforts include coordinating our Rotary Seaside PCs project with Keep Kids in School (KKIS), and Early Education for Every Child Foundation/Little Learners Initiative (EECF/LLI), a global organization with a Mexican/Mayan focus on the most vulnerable schools and children. EECF/LLI provides Mayan community schools with English and Math learning software programs and lesson plans. Unfortunately, most schools do not have the PCs necessary to take advantage of their offer, and that is where Rotary Seaside is stepping in. By providing used PCs to the schools, teachers and students can build stronger skills, using the software and the daily lesson plans provided.

This project falls within two of Rotary International's global objectives of 1) Basic education and literacy and 2) Economic and community development

Please contact Patricia Youngstrum, Secretary/Treasurer of Rotary Club of Playa del Carmen Seaside, at pyoungstrum@gmail.com for additional information or to make your contribution.

Playa del Carmen Seaside - The Riviera Maya's Rotary Club for English Speakers

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:31:00 GMT

It is inarguable that Playa del Carmen is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Thousands of people move here every year from other parts of Mexico, from the United Sates, Canada and countries across the globe. Their reasons for moving to the Riviera Maya are as varied and unique as the people themselves. Some are relocated here by their employers. Some move here hoping for a simpler life. Many come to retire and live out their golden years in the comfort afforded by this warm climate. Others, seeing opportunity in this growing, vibrant economy, come to work and open businesses and raise their families here. What many of them have in common is a desire to participate in their new community and find meaningful ways to get involved with other civic-minded people. I know this because I get emails about this almost daily from expats who have settled in Playa del Carmen and are looking for community organizations which match their particular interest and skill set.

Now, Rotary Club International has chartered a new club right here in Playa del Carmen, a chapter specifically for English speakers. Rotary International (RI) is a worldwide network of clubs dedicated to making positive change in local communities and globally through "Service Above Self". Rotary Club has had chapters in Playa del Carmen for over 20 years carrying out Rotary's mission and doing good works to support the community. I have had the honor of being a guest at their meeting during the planning stages for Taste of Playa. Their meetings are conducted in Spanish, a stumbling block to inclusion for Playa's rapidly growing English speaking population whose Spanish language skills are a constant work in progress.

This new Rotary chapter, Playa del Carmen Seaside, called their first meeting to order in April 2012 with just a handful of eager residents and just 4 months later was granted their official charter by RI. It was presented to the group by the District Governor just this month at the Charter Dinner, an exciting milestone for this new club. Today, the club has 32 members and welcomes more community-minded English speaking Playa del Carmen residents to apply for membership.

Rotary promotes the commitment to "Service Above Self" and this motto conveys the humanitarian spirit of the organization’s more than 1.2 million members. In the more than 34,000 clubs worldwide, members volunteer in communities at home and abroad to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

Rotary has been in existence for over 100 years and its service is targeted on the following six areas:

Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
Disease prevention and treatment
Water and sanitation
Maternal and child health
Basic education and literacy
Economic and community development

In its very short existence the Playa del Carmen Seaside Rotary Club has already contributed to several local charitable organizations.

Casa Yoliguani, a home which provides shelter, counseling and support to pregnant girls and at risk unwed mothers.
KKiS Keeping Kids in School, a program that offers underprivileged children the ability to stay in school longer by providing school supplies and uniforms. Volunteers from the Seaside Rotary Club also come into the classrooms to read to the children in English every week.
Christmas Dreams, a local initiative to bring Christmas gifts to special needs children and non-perishable food items and warm blankets to needy elders in the community.

So, today I throw my hat into the ring. I have officially petitioned to be a member of the Playa del Carmen Seaside Rotary Club! I have found a willing sponsor...thank you Bob...and am following the process to become a member as detailed in the constitutional documents of Rotary International. I am attending my second meeting today where among other things I will fill out an official application. My application is then presented to the Board of Directors on Feb. 4 and then posted for the consideration of the group for the next two week. Barring any objections, I should be Playa del Carmen Seaside Rotary Club's 33rd member within the month!

Aside from the excellent commitment to community support and outreach, which is what attracted me to the organization in the first place, I was particularly taken with the Rotary "Four Way Test" with which Rotary members are asked to self-govern their thoughts, words and actions in keeping with Rotary vision. As we go about our daily lives..... in all we think, say and do.......the "Four Way Test" asks us to take pause and ask ourselves:

Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Seems like a pretty good thing for us all to keep in mind, doesn't it?

If you are interested in joining the Playa del Carmen Seaside Rotary Club or if you are just looking for more information about the group and its activities, contact acting President Bob Hyde via email at bobrotarypdcseaside@gmail.com. The best way to get to know Rotary is to attend a meeting. Guests are welcome, especially visiting Rotarians from around the world. The Playa del Carmen Seaside Chapter meets every Tuesday from 12:30pm - 2:00pm at Origenes Restaurant in the Pueblito Escondido building on calle 38 near the beach. Lunch is 120 mn and includes a choice of 2 entrees and an unlimited iced tea and lemonade. The Rotary fellowship is free.

Doesn't this look like a fun group!

KKiS Needs Volunteer Readers! Can You Help?

Rob Kinnon — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:01:00 GMT

For the past couple of weeks, KKiS (Keeping Kids in School) has fallen way short of the number of folks they need to help teach English to first, second and third graders at Pelopides School. Yesterday they had only eight people, roughly half of what's needed.

Would you please consider volunteering to help them out? It's only an hour, on Wednesday afternoons, and it's a fun an rewarding experience. The kids eagerly look forward to it, and it's a shame to see them disappointed.

Need more info? Need a ride? Contact Gayle (sgcollins@charter.net, Janet (jlowepots@gmail.com), or Trish (pyoungstrum@gmail.com).

Playa del Carmen Charity Seeks Donations for Auction

Rob Kinnon — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Playa del Carmen's KKiS Project (Keeping Kids in Schools) will be holding their 2nd Annual Charity Auction on February 28th, from 11:00 am - 2:30 pm at Wah Wah Beach Bar. This fundraising event will be a Luncheon with Open Bar and an exciting LIVE auction with all proceeds going to support KKiS efforts in 2013.

Event tickets are $20 USD or $250 pesos and will be for sale beginning February 1st. Tickets are available from any of the KKiS Board members or friends of the Board or you can contact Gayle Collins at kkisproject@gmail.com. If you are planning to attend, please consider bringing along a few school supplies for this kids. Those that would like to make a donation but can't attend the auction may do so via Paypal using the email address kkisproject@gmail.com.

This is the only fundraiser that KKiS puts on during the year. The 2012 KKiS Charity Auction raised over $8100 USD for the project, an enormous success for this fledgling organization. Please help KKiS meet their goal of helping 500 children this year!

The organizers are now looking for donations for the auction. Popular auctions items include:

Hotel Stays

Vacation Rentals

Spa Services

Bar & Restaurant Gift Certificates

Tours & Excursions

Fishing Charters

Jewelery

Artwork

Home Furnishings - new or very gently used

Photo Sessions

Gym Memberships

Yoga Classes

Transport Services

If you or your business would like to contribute an item or service for the auction please contact Gayle Collins via email kkisproject@gmail.com. If you have items that require pick up, that can be easily arranged. If you know of anyone who might like to participate in or make a donation for this event, please point them toward this blog post.

About KKiS: The goal of KKiS is to 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.

The reasons students don't stay in school are varied and complex. One of the biggest obstacles families face is the financial burden of purchasing required uniforms, books and school supplies. The support provided by KKiS will mean the difference between a child leaving school after completing elementary school or perhaps being able to complete secondaria and even moving on to preparatoria and beyond!

Currently, KKiS is working in cooperation with Pelopides School, an elementary school in the under-served Guadalupana neighborhood in the northwest quadrant of Playa del Carmen. The school is run by the La Salle organization of the Catholic Church. While it is a private institution, Pelopides 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. These students often come to school without the required school supplies and, therefore, can't keep up with their peers.

Throughout the year, KKiS solicits and manages donations of age appropriate English language books, backpacks, paper, pencils, pens and other school supplies to be distributed to underprivileged students. Funds are raised to provide uniforms and necessary classroom equipment and materials.

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 have welcomed KKiS volunteers into their classrooms to help students learn English by reading to them. In this fast changing and interconnected world students need a bilingual education to understand and communicate global and local societal needs and issues. This is especially true in Playa del Carmen where an international community resides and compensation for work depends in part on understanding multiple languages. Every Wednesday, English speaking KKiS volunteers read to small groups of students, a visit that is enjoyed by the volunteers as much as the students!

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.

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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.

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.

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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

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...."

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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...."

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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.

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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.