Hola Y’All,

Here is an update on Sunrise Rotary’s activities, past and possibly future, here in Mazatlan.
On Thursday morning, Nov 17, Di and I drove to Hogar San Pablo (the boy`s orphanage).

 
 There have clearly been substantial improvements since we were last there. Obviously the Patranado (the local Board) have become heavily involved with the orphanage – big improvements. Senora Madero, who is the boss of the Patranado, plus being a very wealthy and influential man, has had gardeners from his hotels (he owns quite a few) spend weeks at the orphanage removing rubble and planting gardens, flower beds, etc. In some rooms the old plaster has been removed by various workers back to the basic brick walls, the walls replastered and then painted. There is a totally remodeled classroom where the boys are tutored in the evenings in addition to their regular school attendance. There is also a renovated computer room with eight brand new computer stations which the boys are encouraged to use.

Beyond the physical changes there is the rather more important change in the simple demeanour of the boys. They are less surly, more polite and disciplined. They now have daily household duties to perform such a floor sweeping, yard work, etc. This attitude change is largely due to the discipline instilled by Alejandros. He is a man of about 50 who was a senior petty officer in the Mexican Navy until he retired. Alejandros has both required and encouraged these boys from off the streets to take responsibility for their new home, the orphanage. This is a task that requires the boys to at least respect him and then to obey him. Not an easy task for boys who have lived almost semi-wild for a number of years in the back streets of Mexico.

The Patranado has also purchased a brand new mid-sized pickup truck for the orphanage. The box at the rear has had seats installed and a fibreglass roof placed overhead. This is quite a common form of transport here. So there is no need for us to think of one of our buses going to Hogar San Pablo.

So, basically, HSP seems to be well looked after by Mexican standards. I strongly suggest that the Sunrise drivers have a good look around the place after their arrival here in March/11.

Now to the next orphanage, Ranchos Los Niño’s. This place houses some 10 to 12 boys all of whom have either physical or mental handicaps or, sadly, both. The place is located on the edge of Mazatlan on some 3 to 4 acres of scrubby land. The buildings are all of brick and concrete so are substantial but the interiors and furnishings are basic in the extreme. The place is run by an American man (Rick) who employs some excellent Mexican female staff. Funding is clearly a problem due to US sources simply drying up. I have been out there to do maintenance and repair work and will be going out there again for a number of sessions.
 
Clearly Ranchos Los Ninos can use direct cash now plus receive donations of clothing and equipment. I suggest that in March/11 the Sunrise drivers
1) Come down with some Rotary cash ready to give out after an inspection.
2) Visit Ranchos Los Niño’s and see for themselves.
3) After this inspection and some discussion hand out some cash if seen fit to do so.

Due to the severe drop off in tourism again this year (seems to get worse each year we are here) many restaurants are simply closed down. Hotels are suffering and so are the local people.

With the recent slowdown in the US economy plus the airlines now charging for each bag there has been a very sharp drop off of donated clothing to all the orphanages, etc. This clothing had two uses – 1) It was worn by the kids and 2) Some was sold off to raise cold hard cash. An additional problem is that the Mexican government does not like the importation of second hand clothing since it harms the Mexican clothing industry. However if our drivers were to bring one suitcase for themselves and a second suitcase filled with clothing that might be suitable for each particular driver but in reality is second hand for donating it will probably pass through at Nogales OK. So Jim C’s second suitcase should not include a summer frock suitable for Rita B.   Baby clothes are great and can be for one’s own grandchild. Get the idea?  Pepesan thought this was a good thing to do.

I mention this second hand clothing situation because some Rotarians from Calgary support the Pacidos de Luces in Puerto Vallarta. Are they too having trouble with bags on airlines? Can this be checked out? Rita B. – you have contacts with these Calgarians I believe. Can the Calgarian’s bags be loaded onto the “3 Amigos”?  The “3 Amigos” constitute by far the cheapest form of transport those Calgarians can get. Again we have some two months to explore this possibility.

There are two other classifications of donatable “stuff” that might be loaded on to the “3 Amigos” for use down here.
• First classification is second hand heavy duty cooking and industrial type kitchen utensils for an orphanage such ladles, slicers, knives, hand operated can openers, large heavy duty cooking pots, etc., etc. Not domestic sized stuff.
• Second classification is second hand baby cribs, playpens, high chairs, jolly jumpers, etc…the sort of stuff that can easily be kept clean. The sort of stuff that keeps wriggly small kids safely confided.

We have time. It takes 6 weeks to get a duty free import permit. The “3 Amigos” are due to be at the Nogales border on March 17 – so basically we have to mail off our permit request by February 1 – some 2.5 months away. Then back up 2 weeks for safety which brings us to mid- January to decide, which is sufficient time to think and to check things out. At least there is space on the buses for few more bags or boxes.

Some questions for y’all:
1. I would be very interested to know the current status of drivers and other arrangement for the “3 Amigos” journey down here in March/11.
2. How is the “grabbing” of the possible fourth hydraulic lift from Medicine Hat progressing?  Have we got it safely in our storage yet?

On Tuesday afternoon Di and I had a long, pleasant and constructive meeting with Pepesan. I have now to email him all our photos and the Excel detail sheets. There is a Mazatlan committee from all three Rotary Clubs to access which local organisation has the need, the money and the administration systems to keep one of our donated buses working. A request has come in from a Rotary Club Nayar (all male) in Tepic to have one of our buses. This club will be in partnership with the DIF (Social Services department of the any Municipality). Pepesan would like all the Sunrise drivers, etc. to be present when all the wheelchairs etc. are handed out so that the Sunrise drivers can see the facial expressions of the recipients. He would also like, and I agree, for the Sunrise drivers, etc. to be able to show photos, videos, etc. of their trip here around the greater Lethbridge area to spread the idea of assistance. To show the reality of the benefits, how it helps people and that the costs of assistance are very much reduced.

To conclude – the “3 Amigos” give us almost free transportation for any additional donated items. If there is a need and we can fulfill that need then let us try to get it down here. We have just over two months to make enquiries and to obtain permits. Pepesan is going to cancel the permits next week as they are only valid for 5 months. I have asked him to let me assist in early January with to preparation of the new paperwork.

The Rotary Club Orientes (Dulce, etc.) have the idea of stripping out the seats of one of the buses and converting it to a mobile Gynea examining room to ensure privacy. This privacy is very difficult in the small poor villages as the school rooms have neither glass nor drapes in the windows. The front of the bus could be used for mammograms. Please start a hunt for a suitable examining table, ask Dan Helfinch in Medicine Hat or Bigelow Fowler Clinics cash offs? What chances are there for an old Mammogram machine?  We can but ask.

Please let me have your thoughts on all this.

Cheers,

Richard