MAKE A DIFFERENCE, by Natasha J. Rosewood

Article Published on The Coast Reporter,
on Feb 17th, 2012

As they would say in
Mexico Que Lastima! (What a shame!).

Local psychic coach and author, Natasha Rosewood and her partner, Lorne Lyons have
just returned from their humanitarian mission and fact-finding
journey to Zihuatanejo, Mexico where they personally witnessed a dire
need for educational facilities.

“While we are beginning a fundraising campaign called “Natasha’s-Buy-A-Desk”
program for children in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, imagine our frustration
when we saw the Global news item which reported the destruction of
desks because so many teens are dropping out of BC schools,” says
Rosewood. “The Mexican children are so appreciative of anything we
bring and would love the opportunity for an education.”
Thanks to the humanitarian baggage allowance with WestJet airlines, the couple were
able to transport five suitcases to Zihuatanejo at a minimum cost of
just $44.00. Filled with educational supplies, art materials,
backpacks, games, charts, gifts for children and unpaid teachers,
they delivered one suitcase each to four schools in the fishing
village resort and outlying areas of “Zihuat” and other gifts
bags for PorLosNinos’s annual fundraiser, Sailfest.
“Many of these schools are flimsy, un-walled structures made of paper roofs over
wooden supports. Desks are falling apart chewed by animals. Children
need shoes, backpacks, computers and, of course, funds to build safe,
shaded, walled schools.
With only one per cent of funds raised going towards administration, the PorLosNinos
Foundation, (For The Children - www.porlosninos.com) as Rosewood
witnessed, are a team of dynamic individuals who are dedicated to
giving these children a chance by continually raising funds and
implementing what is needed.
“Thanks to our ongoing monthly fundraisers at Wheatberries Bakery in Gibsons and the
people of the Sunshine Coast, we were also able to donate enough
money to purchase the building materials for an awning and patio for
Cihualteo school so the children can experience shaded relief from an
unrelenting sun. (See photo.) As soon as I handed over the pesos,
Marielena Jackson, Queen of Distribution for Porlosninos ordered the
building materials!
“My hope is that some people on the Sunshine Coast will “adopt” the children
of Zihuatanejo, potentially a sister-city, by participating in
ongoing supportive projects which don’t necessarily involve a lot
of money but time and intention.
Other immediate needs are backpacks (very expensive and poor quality in Zih), “TY”
type soft animal toys, “Mary Jane” girls shoes, boys black shoes,
soccer shoes, newer laptop computers (able to convert to Spanish
software) projectors, desks and chairs for the teachers.
Construction help is also needed, especially bricklayers and
electricians. If anyone is going down that way, and will take an
extra suitcase, fly and contact WestJet to register as a humanitarian
carrier and advise http://www.porlosninos.com/
you are coming.
Ninos Adelante (Advancing Children) in Zihuatanejo is coordinated
by Jose Bustos Islas in his after-work hours. In this educational
sponsorship program, sponsors are asked to commit to a child for six
years, from age 12-18 with a choice to continue funding through to
university. See their website: www.friendsofninosadelante.org.
And/or another simple way to make a difference is to gift one or more
desks. How?
As of February 17, donors can go directly to http://www.porlosninos.com/,
click on the Donations Page and Natasha’s Buy-A-Desk
item and click. At $45 CAD per desk, an individual, a company,
a family, a class or a group can donate one or more desks (with
chair) for a child. The funds go directly to the foundation for
desks. Receipts are available upon request.
The immediate challenge is to donate, at least, 100 desks, the minimum number to
qualify for free shipping from north of Zihuatanejo. There are 2,400
students in the area so the need is far greater.
“We are also working,” says Rosewood, “towards doing a “pen pal” program
with the children of Casa Del Pacifico, a Zihuatanejo pre- and
afterschool program—whose students are currently learning
English—with a school in Gibsons. Who knows? In the future, this
might lead to a student exchange.”
“Why not give locally?” some people have commented to Rosewood. “We do that,
too,” she responds, “though if we are chopping up desks here and
the Mexican schools don’t even have walls, where do you think our
efforts have more impact?”
And if someone can figure out a way to transport those unwanted desks from Vancouver to
Zihuatanejo, I would love to talk to them. One thing I do know;
those children, given a desk and a safe, shaded school with materials
for a good education would be so grateful for the opportunity to open
up their lives to the gifts that education offers.”
If anyone would like to stay informed of Rosewood’s work with PorLosNinos or would
like more information on how to support the children, please
subscribe to her newsletter on Rosewood’s website:
http://www.natashapsychic.com/
or e-mail natasha@natashapsychic.com. Newsletters are sent out
monthly. A Spirit In Action program is also being set up on
www.natashapsychic.com so people can get involved.
“Thanks go to,”
adds Rosewood, “Tracy Worner (for beginning this process) Lorenzo
Marbut, Marielena Jackson from PorlosNinos for all their amazing
work, Bill Bradley, author of Journey to Zihuatanejo, Westjet,
Wheatberries, Gibsons and all the people of the Sunshine Coast whose
contributions all make it possible to make a difference for the
children who will, I am sure one day, pay it forward and make a
difference in the world at large.”