Los Amigos Newsletter #10 (Mar 10, 2018)

Correction

The previous newsletter stated that the vehicle that broke down just outside of Kingman, AZ, was towed for free to Tucson. That was incorrect. In fact the Rotary Club of Kingman and the Los Amigos project shared the cost.

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Kingman!

2017 Los Amigos Vehicle Deliveries

Posted by Richard Tamkin

Upon finishing the drive down From Lethbridge to Mazatlan, all of the vehicles were parked overnight in the parking lot of the playground named after Allan Kuechle from Grand Prairie Rotary Club, who started the vehicle convoys 15 years ago.

This newsletter reports on four of the vehicle deliveries. The remaining deliveries will be presented in the next Los Amigos newsletter.

The first week (which is the driving) was the responsibility of Alberta Rotarians and the Los Amigos project. The Rotarians from Mexico responsibility for the second week. After parking the vehicles, the drivers and ambassadors were taken to their hotel.

Next day, all Canadian representatives were returned to the park to attend the ceremonial handover of the vehicles' keys to Rotarians from each recipient town. Each town was represented by Rotarians, municipal officials, spouses, et al. Speeches were made with translators on hand. Following the ceremony, the vehicles were driven off to their new homes.

In order to formally deliver each vehicle, the drivers and ambassadors were divided into two groups. One group went north, the other went south.

THE NORTH GROUP

The north group consisted of the firefighters and trainers who drove “their” ambulance to Culiacán. The training team had the opportunity to make this presentation. It was especially touching for the three firefighters from Lethbridge (the Trainers) who had actually driven the ambulance many times while on duty. This handover is covered in the preceding article.

THE SOUTH GROUP

The following day (week 2 day 2), the drivers and ambassadors boarded a bus and for a seven hour ride to Guadalajara via the fast toll road. They spent that night in a hill-top hotel.

Next day (week 2 day 3) the Pincher Creek ambulance was presented to the Rotary Club of Zacoalco de Torres and handed to the community of Acatlan (population 10,000). It is geographically remote with a lot of surrounding agriculture. In the past it has taken an ambulance one hour one way to respond to an emergency in Acatlan, then another hour to return to the hospital in Zacoalco. A bit of good news is that patients are stabilized at a medical clinic in Acatlan while waiting for transportation. There are 4 stabilization beds for adults, 2 for children, and a bassinet for one newborn.

The Fish Creek handibus was presented to the Rotary Club of Colima and handed to a school for disabled children in the community of Coquimatlan (one hour from Manzanillo). The school has waited three years for this; it was a 'dream come true.' There are 30 children registered and teachers have very little to work with. This handibus will enable children to go on field trips, reduce their isolation, and most importantly, get them to and from school. Many parents struggle in getting their children to school, especially during inclement weather when pushing a wheelchair in the mud is not that easy! After the official ceremony, the Mayor of Coquimatlan drove the children home using the donated handibus. It was a very celebratory yet poignant moment in time. The next article in this newsletter, written by John Fortunka of the Rotary Club Calgary Fish Creek, is a heart-warming story about this delivery.

Next day (week 2 day 4), the Cardston handibus was donated to Tlaquepaque which is on the outskirts of Guadalajara. It was donated in memory of Michael Henderson's mother, Beverley Henderson. The handibus was already booked solid for the next few days. It will be used in transporting the elderly and disabled to and from doctor appointments.

The following day (week 2 day 5) the whole group was bused back to Mazatlan.

Next morning (week 2 day 6) was the formal opening of the “proper” school to replace the “pallet school,” as mentioned in the previous newsletter. In the evening all attended the formal farewell dinner hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Mazatlan.

Next afternoon (week 2 day 7) everyone boarded a direct flight back to Calgary and home.

Los Amigos Handbus Delivery

Posted by John Fortunka

Coquimatlan Municipality School - Monday October 23, 2017

A happy band of Rotarians and Ambassadors were eagerly greeted and welcomed by local Rotarians and staff of the Coquimatlan Municipal School . The children were in their classrooms and were excited about our visit and the anticipation of what was going to happen. The kids who attend the school have varying disabilities and are aged from around four years old to young adults. School is important to these children and adults and getting to the school from their community is not easy for them.

I want to introduce you to Mercedes, one of the younger pupils in the classroom we were invited into. This is what she had to say about her School:

Translation: "I am Mercedes – Mechita to my friends, I am a talkative person, always wanting to be informed of everything, so I always ask questions. I insist that I come to my school from my community because I am so happy there."

The initial welcome quickly progressed to the official handover of the handibus to the school. The President of the Community was there to officially receive the keys to the vehicle and many parents and members of the local Rotary Club were also present. The school children, young adults and staff were part of the audience for the official handover. Many speeches and photos!

The President had a great idea,‘’Let's load up the handibus with some of the school pupils for a photo-shoot!’" The tailgate elevator was lowered and pupils in wheelchairs were loaded on-board. Other students climbed up the bus steps to take a seat inside. There was a look on the faces of the students that was amazing. Their eyes sparkled with pride for their new acquisition. Tears and smiles spread infectiously among the kids and adults alike. It was a special moment which touched the hearts of everyone. My Rotary Moment!

A final surprise was to follow. The President decided that as the bus was now filled he would drive those kids on board home. So off they went!

The handibus was now in Service to provide transport for these Very Special Kids to attend their Very Special School and other trips out to enrich their lives.

ROTARY MAKING A DIFFERENCE

John Fortunka
Rotary Club of Calgary Fish Creek