PEACE Mexico Blog

"Septihambre" Food Drive!

2011-08-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

Septihambre is a bleak local “joke” name for the month of September (Septiembre) because of its substitution of hambre, “hunger.” Seasonal tourist trends often cause savings to dwindle through the slow summer months, leaving September as the most difficult time in which to find work and put food on the table. In response,PEACE—in collaboration with the Vallarta Yacht Club, Marina La Cruz and the Bucerias Bilingual Community Center—will conduct its first annual Work for Food drive from September 1 to September 30.

The Work for Food program grew out of flood-relief efforts after the destructive rains of September 2010, and has continued to grow due to community need. Beautification and improvement projects are under way in Punta de Mita, Higuera Blanca, and Bucerias as community members identify their towns’ needs and create jobs for themselves, separating and bagging garbage from fields, plazas, and schools in return for donated food. Two hours of work earns a participant 70 pesos’ worth of food, which can feed ten people.

This is about a partnership; it’s not about the haves and the have-nots. The program allows individuals to build on their own capabilities and opinions in a way that validates their dignity, instead of simply collecting donations and handing out food to people who have none.

Donations needed to supply the program include the following:

•dried beans
• rice
• boxed milk
•cooking oil
• pasta noodles
• canned tuna
• canned or boxed tomato paste
• toilet paper

The following donation drop-off locations will be open between September 1 and September 30:

PEACE Casa Campesina
Otilio Montano S/N
Col. Emiliano Zapata
Punta de Mita, Nayarit

VIP lounge in Marina La Cruz
Marlín No. 39
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit

Vallarta Yacht Club
Paradise Village Marina
Paseo de los Cocoteros N 001 Local #20
Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit

Bucerias Bilingual Community Center
Calle 16 de Septiembre #48
Col. La Unidad
Bucerias, Nayarit

The program provides an incredible cycle of development, both economically and environmentally, but the most powerful benefits are the feelings of self-empowerment and satisfaction that accompany the ability to provide for loved ones.

For more information about how to donate, contact becci@peacemexico.org or make a monetary donation here!

My PEACE Mexico Internship Experience

2011-08-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

By: Kristen, PEACE Summer Intern, 2011

Safety

Writing about Mexico, I feel I have an obligation to first and foremost confront any doubts people may have about the safety of the region. It’s true there are some areas in Mexico that are unsafe – but places exist like this everywhere in the world, and crime is not unique to just this country.

While searching for internships post-graduation, I knew I would rather be interning for an organization that is far from where I’m from, Chicago, Illinois, simply because of my love for traveling. My last semester in school, I was offered two internships – one in Chicago and one in Punta de Mita, Mexico. Now, I’m not one to fall into the trap of sensationalized news, so immediately I knew I would take the internship with PEACE Mexico; however, as people continuously asked what my plans were, I watched their eyes flicker with surprise as I explained what I’d be doing – and where I would be. Often, I was told – Be careful! There are thousands of murders going on down there! Kidnappings! Are you sure you want to go there? And every single time, in my head, I would simply push their beliefs in one ear and out the other. Being aware of your surroundings before you travel anywhere is important, of course, but believing an entire country is the epitome of death is foolish.

Never once working with PEACE Mexico have I felt intimidated or wary of my surroundings. I have not witnessed anything horrendous or even remotely uncomfortable – the only thing I’ve experienced a little unnerving was the bus rides. You’ll know what I mean if you’ve ever visited here! Living in Punta de Mita was peaceful and quiet, and every person we passed was friendly, and if we ever needed directions or help with anything, people were more than willing to help. It is foolish to assume that just because one area of a country has problems that the rest of the country suffers the same. And if this is any testament to my view on the safety of Mexico, I’m even considering moving there because of the lush mountains, beautiful ocean, and friendly people.

With that being said, PEACE has been a great organization to get to know, and knowing that our internship is helping the organization grow is a great feeling. The staff we worked with, including Nikhol, Nova, and Becci, were more than willing to help, and they were all there to answer any questions or concerns we might have initially had.

Working with the Kids & Staff at Camp!

One of the values of PEACE is “We believe in providing hands-on learning that results in empowerment, increased ownership and social responsibility.” Working in the PEACE summer camp gave us the ability to teach the campers, based on one of PEACE’s values, not only what sustainability and social responsibility is, but also gave them the opportunity to have hands on experience making everything from rainwater collectors to reusing magazines to create pencil holders. The camp was a unique experience, not only for us interns, but also for the kids who attended. They were continuously excited and eager to learn about different sustainability methods, positive health routines, and having new experiences with their new friends. We taught them different yoga poses, dances, and even taught some of them English.

Language Opportunities

For the four out of eight interns, including myself, I would say the most challenging part of the internship was overcoming the language barrier and pushing ourselves to be able to communicate with the locals and campers. The four other interns are fluent in Spanish, so obviously this was not an issue for them. Luckily, we took Spanish class 4 days a week, and were able to hone our Spanish skills enough to get us by. Our teacher, Jorge, was more than patient, fun, and very kind. He had a great sense of humor and was an amazing teacher to have – all of us learned so much from him.

With our teacher, Jorge

Weekend Excursions

The most fun I had throughout the internship was getting to know the other interns, sharing a house with them for the first two weeks, and going on our excursions during the weekends. We took day trips to different places – from the Altavista Petroglyphs and neighboring surftown, Chacala, out in the bay to Las Marietas Islands for snorkeling, a day trip to Yelapa where we hung out on the beach, swam under a waterfall, and took a bananaboat ride, and lastly to San Sebastian, a silver mining town up in the mountains.

Petroglyphs

Chacala

Las Marietas

Yelapa Boat Taxi

Waterfall at Yelapa

Petroglyphs Weekend Excursion

My favorite trip, I would say, was to the Petroglyphs, which are an amazing collection of rock carvings created by a Mexican indigenous group, known as the Tecoxquin (“Throat Cutters”). Starting early in the morning, we had an advantage over the heat, but the rain from the night before had completely saturated the ground we were about the hike on. We got a taste for the trail as the ten of us drove down the muddy and stone ridden drive, packed in a van, heading closer to where we were going to hike. We climbed over and around huge boulders, through the water a few times, while stopping to check out the rock carvings we were surrounded by.

Modern day Tecoxquin people come to the Altavista site often, performing ceremonies and leaving offerings for Nakahue, “Our Grandmother Of Fertility”, and also Tatevari, “Our Grandfather Of Fire”. Often, the people will travel to Chacala, where carvings are also located, and leave an offering for Tatei Aramar, “Our Mother Ocean”. Needless to say, it was a very mystifying place deep in the rainforest, and one I won’t forget.

Experiencing the Animal Clinic

During the Community Build Week, we got the chance to work at the animal clinic. Four interns worked at the mobile classroom, hanging out with some of the local kids, while Tania and I saw the spay and neuter clinic up close and personal. We started by going door to door in the community, asking people if they had any pets, and if they did, we asked if they wanted to spay/neuter them. We ended up with 4 cats and about 15 dogs, and over the span of two or three hours, each one was neutered and ready to be returned to their owners. It was definitely an intense experience, but I’m so glad I took the opportunity to help with everything from administering the anesthesia to checking temperatures, heart rate, and respiration. It’s not something I expected, but if I have the chance to do something I’ve never done before, I’m going to take it.

So, why did I love this internship?

PEACE Mexico’s mission is revolved around providing “holistic education combined with community action programs that enable people to improve their quality of life as well as their financial stability.” I saw this mission acted out in everything PEACE does – including the internship. Full of new experiences for the interns, we saw the many different aspects of not only the organization, but also the Mexican culture as a whole. We were forced to adjust to the differences in the culture, while being able to work hand-in-hand with the kids and adults from the community. On top of that, we lived within the community in which we were helping, which made a huge difference. It gave us a chance to truly get to know the daily routine of what life is like in Punta de Mita, La Cruz and Bucerias – from the surfing culture, tourism, the general (kind) attitude of the people, and the weather.

This internship was full of new experiences, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I got the chance to see a place in the world I’ve never seen before, meet people I never knew I would, and make lifelong friendships with them. I got to see tangible changes being planted into the kids we worked with, as well as educating people about the importance of pet spay/neutering.

Change never happens overnight, but with small, consistent steps, the ability to eventually make a significant change WILL happen. I have never in my life doubted that, and I thank PEACE for allowing me the chance to be a part of that change.

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. - Mahatma Gandhi

2011-06-15T07:02:00.000-07:00

At PEACE, we know about giving. We’re in the giving business. Giving is POWERFUL, in its application and within the giver. It is only with your generosity that we can support local communities, and we’d like to expose you to our immediate needs in order to fulfill our commitment to them.

Help us Stay at our Casa Campesina Headquarters!

We have a deadline to build a new roof for our headquarters costing $13,000 USD. The Casa Campesina (farmhouse) has been PEACE’s home base for the past three years and was given to us by the local ejido (a native land-owners association.) PEACE has full use of the house in exchange for restorations and we cannot remain here unless we raise $13,000 and repair our leaky roof. Please give whatever you are able and allow us to stay in our community home!

A new roof will provide the necessary dry space for our alternative school, after school program and PEACE Boutique, as well as a usable work space for staff and community members. It is a safe, clean, and friendly environment that adds stability, integrity, and beauty to the Punta de Mita community.

We do not want to uproot our home. PLEASE DONATE whatever you can by clicking here.

Send a Child to Camp!

Experiences at summer camp can shape a life from childhood into adulthood. PEACE is creating lifelong memories for kids in the Bahia de Banderas who often grow up too fast, and in many cases have never been on an athletic team, taken an art class or participated in any kind of organized activity. Our camps not only give them that experience, but allow them the freedom (they may otherwise not have) to just be kids! These kids are the FUTURE – help us empower them!

Last year we had 300 campers! Your donation of $75 USD will send one child to camp for 3 weeks, helping them retain knowledge from the school year, and allowing them to experience a SAFE, POSITIVE and FUN summer!

We cannot fund our camps without your support. Please help us provide this experience for local children by donating here.

Support our Mobile Classroom!

Starting this summer, a traveling classroom will be accompanying our animal clinic to 35 towns! Our fun-loving, bilingual teacher will conduct a literacy-based curriculum about animals and the environment reaching 6,210 kids every year.

In order to educate our youth and continue to spread this powerful message over the course of one year, we need to raise $15,000 USD. Please help us reach our goal by donating here.

EVERYBODY can give, and we need everybody! THANK YOU for being a part of our giving team, and experiencing the power of impacting lives in our community.

Manos Unidas por la Mujer Makes Transition to PEACE Boutique

2011-06-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

Manos Unidas por la Mujer (United Hands for Women,) has transitioned from an educational PEACE non-profit program, to what is now the PEACE Boutique, a Mexican art distributor and social enterprise. PEACE Boutique seeks to provide artisans and cooperatives from small communities in Mexico the opportunity to sell their products in stores and markets throughout North America. 100% of generated profits are donated to PEACE.

Officially started in 2007, Peace Boutique has gone through a series of transitions to reach where it is today. When functioning as the Manos Unidas por la Mujer (MU) cooperative, local artists benefited from increased finances, in addition to the over-arching focus on education and camaraderie. Women participated in bi-monthly workshops focused on ecology, self-esteem, parenting and nutrition. Now women who were previously in MU, have the opportunity to start their own business, and use the PEACE Boutique to help distribute and sell their products, increasing their exposure to an international market.

We are so excited about this, as sales opportunities have grown enormously! Artisans can become more financially independent this way, while continuing to attend educational workshops through our Casa Comunidad (Community House) adult education program.

Artists, including many of the same women from the MU cooperative, receive 50% of revenue, allowing them to impact entire communities through their new-found buying power. The change is affording us the opportunity to include other talented artisans similar to Manos Unidas. We are putting a focus on groups that assist artisans in maintaining their cultural identity like the Huichol Center for Cultural Survival in Sayulita, Nayarit and an embroidery group in the mountains of Oaxaca called Chidobueno.

By generating business for these individuals, they can contribute to their families and communities from their homes instead of traveling for work. They can handle fairly substantial levels of production, which creates further sales opportunities and ultimately more financial support for PEACE.

Co-Directors KT Kirkpatrick and Jennifer de la Torre will be traveling to Colorado and New York this summer to introduce the new PEACE Boutique line and develop sales through various public and private events. Venues include the Greenhorn Valley Music Festival in Colorado and the New York International Gift Fair, one of the largest wholesale markets in the world!

With proceeds from the summer festivals, PEACE Boutique will open storefront in Puerto Vallarta upon their return. Due to high rental fees and unstable tourism trends in Punta de Mita, the PEACE Boutique has closed their previous storefront in Anclote, Punta de Mita, and the airport kiosk. Puerto Vallarta is strategically the best place to expose artists and generate sales over the long term. We are very excited about the steps that have been made thus far, and to see these artists succeed worldwide!

From the hands of a Huichol artisan in the Sierra Madre mountains or a fisherman’s wife in Punta de Mita, to the streets of New York City, Mexican artists are now creating peace, one product at a time.

Manos Unidas Por La Mujer hace la transición a PEACE Boutique

Manos Unidas Por la Mujer se ha transformado de un programa educativo sin fines de lucro de PEACE, a lo que hoy es el PEACE Boutique, un distribuidor de arte mexicano y una empresas social. El PEACE Boutique busca proporcionar artesanos y cooperativas de las comunidades pequeñas en México la oportunidad de vender sus productos en las tiendas y mercados de toda América del Norte. 100% de los beneficios generados son donados a PEACE.

Con un comienzo oficial en 2007, PEACE ha pasado por una serie de transiciones para llegar a donde está hoy. Cuando existía la cooperativa artesana Manos Unidas Por la Mujer (MU) artistas se beneficiaron de un aumento en sus ganancias, además del enfoque en la educación y la camaradería. Las mujeres participaron en talleres dos veces al mes centrados en la ecología, la autoestima, la paternidad y la nutrición. Ahora las mujeres que estaban anteriormente en MU, tiene la oportunidad de iniciar su propio negocio, y el uso del Boutique PEACE para ayudar a distribuir y vender sus productos ha aumentando su exposición a un mercado internacional.

Estamos muy entusiasmados con esto, ya que las oportunidades de ventas han crecido enormemente! Los artesanos pueden llegar a ser financieramente más independientes, sin dejar de asistir a talleres educativos a través de nuestro programa educación de adultos, que forma parte de Casa Comunidad.

Artistas, incluyendo muchas de las mismas mujeres de la cooperativa de MU, reciben el 50% de los ingresos, lo que les permite impactar a sus comunidades a través de su poder de compra. El cambio nos está ofreciendo la oportunidad de incluir otros talentosos artesanos similares a las mujeres de Manos Unidas. Estamos poniendo énfasis en los grupos que ayudan a los artesanos en mantener su identidad cultural como el Centro Cultural Huichol en Sayulita, Nayarit y un grupo de artesanos llamado Chidobueno que hace bordados en las montañas de Oaxaca.

Mediante la generación de negocios para estas personas, pueden contribuir a sus familias y a sus comunidades desde sus hogares en vez de viajar al trabajo. Pueden manejar niveles bastante sustanciales de producción, lo que crea oportunidades de ventas adicionales y, finalmente, un mayor apoyo financiero para PEACE.

Co-Directoras Kirkpatrick y Jennifer de la Torre van a viajar a Colorado y Nueva York este verano para presentar la nueva línea del PEACE Boutique y para desarrollar ventas a través de varios eventos públicos y privados. Cedes incluyen el Greenhorn Valley Music Festival en Colorado y el International Gift Fair en Nueva York, uno de los mercados de venta de mayoreo más grandes en el mundo.

Con el ingreso de los festivales del verano, PEACE Boutique abrirá una tienda en Puerto Vallarta. Debido a los altos costos de alquiler y las tendencias inestables del turismo en Punta de Mita, El PEACE Boutique ha cerrado su tienda en El Anclote, Punta de Mita, y el kiosco del aeropuerto. Puerto Vallarta se encuentra estratégicamente en el mejor sitio para exponer los artistas y generar ventas a largo plazo. Estamos muy entusiasmados acerca de los pasos que se han hecho hasta ahora, y de ver a estos artistas tener éxito globalmente.

De las manos de un artesano huichol de la Sierra Madre a las calles de Nueva York, los artistas mexicanos son ahora la creación de la paz (PEACE), un producto a la vez.

Girls Surf Clinic Promotes Strong Self-Esteem and Healthy Lifestyle

2011-04-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

Pushing back water with cupped hands, she hears the rush of approaching water, connects with the moving force, stands up on her board in perfect balance with nature, and feels the strength of the ocean underfoot. Both body and mind are exhilarated as she conquers one clear goal – catching a wave. Now that’s empowering. This feeling glowed in more than 17 young girls on April 25, 26 and 27 during the PEACE + Wahine Project surf clinic.

The Wahine Project is an educational program for girls between the ages of seven and seventeen who do not have the geographical or financial opportunities to surf. The project seeks to introduce the invigorating sport of surfing while promoting self-esteem and encouraging a healthy lifestyle through exercise and good nutrition. The goals is to make a connection between ocean, surf, and self.

Each day started with a beach clean up and was followed by yoga stretching a two hour surf instruction. All of the girls who participated in the clinic live in Punta de Mita, less than five minutes away from the beach, but most had never tried surfing. Many times girls are too intimidated or uncomfortable to try surfing as there’s usually competitive guys in the water who’ve been surfing for years. This week, there was truly a feeling of unity and a safe, supportive environment.

At the crossroads of adolescents, we think it’s important for girls to feel self-respect, confidence and in control of their lives. A girl will then teach this to her children a thereby effect the community at large. Surfing is just one way we can encourage this!!

We’d like to give a huge thank you to Dionne Ybarra from the Wahine Project and all of the fantastic volunteers who joined us to create such a memorable week!

www.peacemexico.org

Alternative School Students Visit Mexico City!/Estudiantes de la Escuela Alternativa Visitan la Ciudad de México!

2011-04-03T12:43:00.000-07:00

After washing cars, picking up trash and selling calendars to raise money, frequent nightmares of plane rides, and months of excited anticipation, four alternative school students experienced a field trip of a lifetime this month: to Mexico City!!

Often referred by locals as “El Monstruo,” or “The Monster,” because of its sheer size and depth of its ancient roots and culture, Mexico City might has well be Mars for these kids who had hardly stepped outside of their home town, Punta de Mita, (about 2,000 people.)

They saw the ancient historic center Zócalo and the Teotihuaca pyramids, and were like sponges, absorbing all of the foreign sights and smells around them, broadening their perspectives of the world!

Our alternative school was launched in March, 2008 to serve disadvantaged youth not enrolled in the public school system due to lack of funds and parental interest, missing birth certificates and/or behavioral issues. Most of the students in the alternative school come from extremely difficult home lives, and yet they show up for school every day. They take initiative in their education, they are hungry to learn, and they have tremendous strength; we admire them for that!!

Fifteen students, from ages eight to seventeen attend school from Monday through Friday and work towards their elementary or middle school certificates. Our alternative school uses innovative, hands-on techniques to promote project-based learning and also employs a psychologist who works with students, parents and teachers to promote the healthy emotional and academic development of students.

This trip was such an impactful way to deliver our hands on approach. These are the types of experiences that shake ignorance, grow character and provide learning experiences that could never be taught from a book.

With so many new experiences under their belts, our students can better view the world as one full of possibilities.

“I saw Punta de Mita from the sky,” said Juan de Jesus Garcia Delgado, one of our alternative school students.

Now, in Juan’s mind, the sky is the limit!!

To donate to our alternative school program, contact becci@peacemexico.org.
###

Después de lavar coches, recoger basura y la venta de calendarios para recaudar fondos, pesadillas frecuentes de viajes en avión, y meses de anticipación, cuatro estudiantes de la escuela alternativa de un pequeño pueblo costera experimentaron un paseo de toda una vida: a la Ciudad de México.

A menudo llamado por los lugareños como "El Monstruo", debido a su enorme tamaño y la profundidad de sus antiguas raíces y la cultura, la Ciudad de México bien hubiera podido ser Marte para los jóvenes que apenas había pisado fuera de su ciudad natal, Punta de Mita, un pueblito de pescadores de 2.000 personas.

Vieron el antiguo centro histórico El Zócalo y las pirámides de Teotihuacán, y eran como esponjas, absorbiendo todos los lugares y olores desconocidos que les rodeaban, ampliando sus perspectivas del mundo!

Nuestra escuela alternativa se lanzó en marzo del 2008 para servir a los jóvenes desfavorecidos que no están inscritos en el sistema de escuelas públicas ya sea por la falta de fondos, falta del interés de los padres, la falta de certificados de nacimiento y/o problemas de comportamiento. La mayoría de los estudiantes en la escuela alternativa proceden situaciones muy difíciles en sus hogares, y sin embargo, se presentan a la escuela todos los días. Ellos toman la iniciativa en su educación, tienen ganas de aprender, y tienen una fuerza tremenda; los admiramos por eso!

Quince estudiantes, entre las edades de ocho hasta diecisiete asisten a la escuela de lunes a viernes y trabajan para obtener sus certificados de la primaria o la secundaria. Nuestra escuela usa metodologías alternativas, innovadoras y prácticas para promover el aprendizaje basado en proyectos y también cuenta con una psicóloga que trabaja con los estudiantes, padres y maestros para promover el sano desarrollo emocional y académico de los estudiantes.

Este viaje fue una manera tan impactante de ofrecer nuestra metodología práctica. Estos son los tipos de experiencias que sacuden la ignorancia, fomentan el carácter y ofrecen experiencias de aprendizaje que no se puede enseñar de un libro.

Con tantas experiencias nuevas a sus espaldas, los estudiantes pueden ver mejor el mundo como uno lleno de posibilidades.

"Vi a Punta de Mita desde el cielo", dijo Juan de Jesús García Delgado, uno de nuestros estudiantes de la escuela alternativa.

Ahora, en la mente de Juan, el cielo es el límite!

Para patrocinar a un estudiante de la escuela alternativa, escribe a becci@peacemexico.org.

www.peacemexico.org

Become a 2011 PEACE Intern!

2011-02-22T08:04:00.000-08:00

Be the change. Educate a child, help start a business, save an animal, start a community garden. Help transform a community, and transform your life in the process. Become a PEACE intern!!

Our interns learn experientially alongside staff members, gaining tremendously valuable work experience and bettering communities throughout Mexico.

We have two 5-week internship options this summer including camp counselor and animal clinic positions. Internships also include daily Spanish classes and evening and weekend excursions to popular natural and ethnic attractions.

To get a better idea of PEACE and our internships, check these links out!

Slideshow of past interns:
http://www.premaphotographic.com/Slideshows/PEACEInternshipSlideshow/

Comprehensive video about PEACE:
http://vimeo.com/1737484

"I loved learning Spanish because we would get a lesson in the morning, then put it to use later that day. It was so much fun having a chance to practice every time I went out.The chance to do actual work, like any internship, was awesome. Building up the skill set while making a valuable impact in a great organization is invaluable.The people we get to work with are excellent as well. Everyone at PEACE, as well as the other interns, was a treat to work with. Being around such dedicated, caring people made the experience all that much better." – Matt Carlin – Matt Carlin, 2010/2011 PEACE Intern.

To view job descriptions and fill out an application, email becci@peacemexico.org!

Rivera Cuale-PEACE Community Garden Groundbreaking and Launch!

2011-02-15T08:27:00.000-08:00

We are full of enthusiasm for the launch of our community garden at Riviera Cuale condominiums in Puerto Vallarta!! This type of hands-on educational space is the first-of-its-kind in the area!

Over 120 students from private and public schools throughout Puerto Vallarta will be able to go there and learn about indigenous plants and flowers, composting, nutrition and sustainable food production.

Teachers from three to five classes each month will integrate ecology into their curriculums, allowing students to participate in hands-on workshops taught by PEACE staff and volunteers during school hours.

There has already been so much interest and support by young, old, locals and visitors! Soil was turned and heaved by four dozen volunteers on February 5th during the garden groundbreaking and a “Garden Party” will take place for the general public in order to raise funds for materials. It will be a pot-luck event with face painting, arts and crafts, and music.

When: Sunday, February 27th
Time: 1-4pm
Cost: Minimum donation of $50 pesos for adults and $30 pesos for kids

Join us!!!

www.peacemexico.org

What is an Investour?

2011-01-27T06:38:00.000-08:00

PEACE and Se Mas Microfinanzas, have partnered with Investours, an incredible non-profit that offers socially responsible community tours. During an investor, tourists meet local entrepreneurs and listen to their business ideas. At the end of the tour, tourists decide which entrepreneur will receive an interest free micro-loan. 100% of the tour group's fees go to this entrepreneur. This micro-loan improves the lives of the entrepreneur and fellow community members. Last week a tour group from Bucerias helped to fund a zero-interest loan for Carmela, a small restaurant owner from Sayulita, to buy a sink to be able to better clean her food and wash the dishes. Carmela also plans to use the loan to make aesthetic improvements to her kitchen in order to attract more customers.

Tours run on Thursdays from 1-5 and leave from the PEACE casa campesina in Punta de Mita.

What a fascinating way to give back!

www.investours.org

www.peacemexico.org

Art-Inspired Giving

2011-01-26T08:34:00.000-08:00

The second annual Arte Vida event last Saturday was a success! Local, national and international artists, businesses and donors united and raised nearly $20,000 for our PEACE programs!!

Silent and live auctions took place in the stunning setting of Casa Las Gaviotas, inside El Farallon and were accompanied by delicious catering from NAEF Cuisine and authentic Mexican rhythms from Los Frixoleros.

Several pieces of art were donated from Manos Unidas por la Mujer (United Hands for Women,) one of our four main programs. The women’s artisan co-op empowers women to move toward financial independence by providing the training to create products through recycled or donated materials, and the business recourses to sell their art. A recycled bottle cap-framed mirror made by the women sold for over double its estimated price in the live auction - we were all cheering and clapping!!

We are so grateful for the support and contributions from the following individuals and businesses: The Mexico Report, Mexico Boutique Hotels, Rojo Sobre Mesa, LivePuntaMita, Splurge Gallery, Craft Gallery, Bahe Gallery, Vallarta Gardens, Best of Bucerias, Café des Artistes del Mar, Elizabeth Lloyd Photography, Howard and Lennie Weiser, Chantel Mann, Jonathan & Beth Evans, Chisko, Marco Alvarez, Kevin Harney, Alejandro Mondria, Juan Sanchez de Dios, Ehren Reed, Evelyne Boren, Robert Arnder, Rodolfo Aguero, and Sergio Lugo.

Thank you for making our biggest fundraiser of the year such a success!!!

www.peacemexico.org

Circuit Media visits PEACE!!

2010-12-03T12:58:00.001-08:00

The last weekend of October was quite a busy one for us here at PEACE. We had a team of very amazing people visit us from Circuit Media and they spent 4 very quick days with us. Circuit Media is a company based out of Denver, Colorado which publishes online and print media for legal & business professionals. They are a team of editors, photographers, graphic designers, reporters and all around talented people!

The CEO, Rebecca Askew, first discovered PEACE a few years ago when she was shopping at our PEACE Boutique space in the airport. She bought some of the products and has been a fan of PEACE ever since. Last year, while visiting the area on vacation, she took part in one of our Real World Home Tours. When the tour made its way to Casa Campesina, our community center, Rebecca officially met Molly and some of our staff members. From that conversation, a relationship has flourished!

Rebecca stayed in touch with us and over the following months, she and the Circuit Media team worked on several projects for us from their Denver offices. In October, the entire team came to Punta de Mita to meet us! They spent days photographing us, interviewing our staff and community members, working on web management, annual report research, and getting to know everyone. They even joined PEACE directors on a team-building tour with Vallarta Adventures and had some fun!!

We are so grateful for all that they have done and continue to do for us, and have a feeling we will be seeing them again very soon!!

2010-09-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

PEACE works hand-in-hand with communities in Mexico to provide holistic education combined with community action programs that enable people to improve their quality of life as well as their financial stability.

PEACE trabaja de la mano con comunidades en Mexico ofreciendo educación holística, en conjunto con programas de acción que les permite a las personas mejorar su calidad de vida así como su estabilidad financiera.

Photos: Nikhol Esteras-Roberts & Nova Pennison

Summer Camp 2010!

2010-06-14T13:59:00.000-07:00

Do you remember your summer camp experience? Arts and crafts with the counselors, nature walks, team building, or just simply having fun with your friends. All of us have memories from the endless summers of our childhood. PEACE is now providing a similar experience for the local kids in the Punta de Mita area, creating memories they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.

We are just a few short weeks away from 2010 PEACE camp and we’re so excited for what’s in store! Interns and camp counselors from all walks of life are joining us from the US and Mexico to make camp an amazing experience for these kids. This year, we will be working with various age groups in schools throughout Punta de Mita, Sayulita and La Cruz. Camp activities involve group projects, encouraging team building and the development of entrepreneurial skills. Some of the groups will also be participating in English workshops and art and music activities.

Interns will be having a similar experience, creating and participating in development projects and team building activities, while improving their Spanish skills and immersing themselves in the local culture. Group excursions and site seeing are a priority on the agenda as well!

Stay tuned to our blog and social media network for summer camp updates and how you can get involved!

If anyone is interested in participating in our summer camp programs, as a counselor or a volunteer, please contact Nicole Majewski at nicole@peacemexico.org

Recicla Parque 2010!!!

2010-05-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

This year, PEACE is tackling a big project, one of our biggest. We are partnering with Entreamigos a non-profit from San Pancho, to create four Recycle Parks in local schools in the Punta de Mita community. This is a project that you might go about one at a time as it takes quite a bit of planning, work and effort on behalf of all parties involved. But, we decided to construct all four parks within a month as the need for playgrounds in local schools is ever present.

The Recicla Parque concept was first created and launched in San Pancho (a beach town north of Sayulita in the state of Nayarit) several years ago at their primary school. The community based non-profit Entreamigos was responsible for this beautiful initiative. A "Recycle Park" is a space that is built on the grounds of a school and is constructed almost completely out of recycled and reused materials. It usually includes play areas, green spaces, tables, benches, relaxation spaces and inspiring art. First, the design team creates the layout of the park months in advance and then team members go out in search of the materials needed to carry out their creation - old fishing nets, surf boards, pangas, cable spools, used tires, and much more. Once everything is collected and ready, the date is set and the community gets ready to transform their schools!

The most amazing thing about these projects is not the idea behind them nor the groundwork - it is the actual construction day. The Recicla Parque is a community event, a community project, a community creation. Together with the organizations involved, local families and hundreds of dedicated volunteers, the parks are constructed and celebrated in a single day! Music plays, food is served, murals painted, holes dug, swings installed, tires transformed and much more. Everyone recieves a Recicla Parque t-shirt and the community joins together to transform local schools into beautiful green spaces where children can pass the day.

In 2009, PEACE and Entreamigos, along with hundreds of awesome volunteers, created the first Recicla Parque in the Punta de Mita community. It was built on the grounds of the kindergarten in Corral del Risco, a colonia of Punta de Mita. This year we are working on the primary, kindergarden and secundary schools in the Emiliano Zapata colonia of Punta de Mita as well as the primary school in Corral del Risco. We have alot of work ahead of us, but we know it will all come together and, in the end, it will have been worth every single minute!

Please stay in touch for more information and photos of this beautiful adventure!!

Celebrate Earth Week with PEACE: April 18-24

2010-04-07T06:40:00.000-07:00

This year, PEACE has decided to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in a big way... with Earth Week. We will be hosting and participating in several community events around the Bay. We hope that by spreading the word, that we will be able to ignite community participation on a large level.

Sunday, April 18: River Clean-Up at the Rio Cuale. We start off Earth Week with a river clean-up at the Rio Cuale in Puerto Vallarta. Partnering with Rivera Cuale Condominiums, Vallarta Adventures, and Naef Cuisine, we expect up to 100 volunteers to help clean the 2-mile long river space along the streets of the colonia El Caloso. Volunteers must sign up in advance, and will receive lunch and a t-shirt afterward.

Tuesday, April 20: Movie Night. We will be hosting two movie nights in the Punta de Mita community in both Emiliano Zapata and Corral del Risco, in the main plazas. This is partly organized by the local municipalities and will feature the move "Home" in Spanish. Note: the other dates and times will be announced.

Thursday, April 22: Earth Day Eco Fair. PEACE, along with Bucerias Bilingual Cultural Club, Amigos y Vecinos, and Recicladores de Bucerias will be hosting the First New Eco Fair in Bucerias. Once an annual event, we are trying to start a new tradition on Earth Day. This year's event will have several workshops, information about ecological organizations in the Bay, many great products, and much more! The event is from 10am-5pm.

Saturday, April 24: Recycle Park. We will end our Earth Week event with the building of our first Recycle Park in 2010. Along with EntreAmigos and many many volunteers, PEACE will construct an entire playground made from recycled materials in ONE day. This will be the first of four parks to be constructed in the Mita area this spring.

If you would like additional information about any of these events, want to know how to donate supplies or materials for our Recycle Park, or are interested in volunteering, please contact Nicole Majewski.

Upcoming Spay & Neuter Clinics

2010-04-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

Here is our Clinic calendar for Spring & Summer 2010. Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering, taking part in the volunteer training, or sponsoring a specific clinic in the Bay of Banderas area. We look forward to seeing you!

New Mural in Punta de Mita

2010-04-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

Passers by now notice a fresh coat of paint as they enter the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood, uncovering a new face to a cleaner and brighter community in the village of Punta de Mita. Over one hundred volunteers and students worked to transform a wall encircling the Escuela Telesecundaria Ninos Heroes de Chapultepec secondary school into a powerful mural, illustrating the dependence and interaction humans and nature have on each other.

PEACE organized the participants who ranged from professional artists and teachers, to enthusiastic four-hear-old hands. Two women, Andria Burchett and Wendi Dwyer, traveled from the Chicago area to design and direct the project.

"We wanted to create something simple, positive and meaningful," said Dwyer, and international community artist. "We were able to accomplish that task, but more importantly, build community pride through teamwork and fun. We had a lot of exciting green and blue children running around."

Many pitched in to make the day a success. Twenty pounds of marlin was donated to PEACE by Blue Water Grill in Punta de Mita, which was prepared for lunch by Bucerias Bed & Breakfast owners Nadine and Casey Valkenburg. The team effort from locals and visitors alike made the day successful and impactful.

Come check out the new mural for yourself!

Smiles, Laughter and Turtles

2010-03-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Children in Casa Comunidad's after-school program and alternative school participated in the Punta de Mita turtle liberation. Students learned about why the turtles are endangered, how to protect them, about the different species of turtles, and much more! After an informative presentation by Jim Casey, each student liberated one turtle and watched as the baby turtles made their way to the ocean. A huge thank you to Dr. Antonio Rasso and the Punta de Mita community for making this an amazing experience for everyone!

International Women's Day

2010-03-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Today, the world is celebrating women; the achievements of women, economically, socially, and politically. Today, the world is recognizing the strength of women from all walks of life while giving thanks for this incredible strength. Today, the world is applauding women and all that they do. As a global community, we are raising up to say THANK YOU to all women.

We want to take a moment to thank the women that we come in contact with everyday... the women who change lives everyday; the women who fight for what they believe in; the women who stand up and use their voices to move mountains; the women who support their children in their communities and embrace them with all that they have; the women who collectively make change in the world, their communities, their families and in themselves; the women who individually represent the change our world needs.

Today, and everyday, we reach out to amazing women and embrace them. We want them to know they are super heroes and gentle miracle workers. We appreciate everything that they do. Today, we celebrate women, every single one of them.

Please take a moment to look around you and celebrate the women in your life. They are mothers, teachers, sisters, healers, and so much more. Let the women in your life know what they mean to you.

Photos by Nikhole Esterás Roberts, Nova Pennison and Anna Stopa.

Whale Watching with Manos Unidas

2010-02-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

Sebastian Melani of Punta Mita Expeditions donated two boats to take the women from Manos Unidas on a whale watching expedition. There were 17 women in total who attended the journey!

A comprehensive manual of the whales and whale watching was created and given to each woman before the excursion. Even though these women were all from this huge Bay area, some of them had never been on a boat before, and most of them knew nothing about the whales.

Sandra Cano, a lifelong resident of Punta de Mita, daughter of a fisherman, wife to a lobster diver who has been around the ocean all of her life said “of all the years I have been seeing the whales, I had never learned as much about them and their behavior as I did today – thank you!”

Manos Unidas is our cooperative of women artisans based out of the Punta de Mita region. Aside from creating their beautiful handi-crafts through a cooperative setting, the women also take part in various workshops every month. Some past workshops have included holistic medicine, computer skills, yoga, and nutrition.

Photos by Nova Pennison

PEACE Ambassador: Esteban Uyarra

2010-02-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

Esteban Uyarra is the founder and director of Trinchera Film School in Puerto Vallarta. This award-winning director, editor and cinematographer of documentary films has worked for several UK television channels, including the BBC and Channel 4. He uses film as a medium to increase social awareness about various causes while empowering local communities through interactive documentary film classes. Esteban teaches documentary film classes at Trinchera Film School to students who come from all over the world to learn from such an incredibly experienced teacher.

Esteban Uyarra is also a PEACE Ambassador.

Casa Comunidad's alternative school students spent one week with Esteban learning about documentary film-making. Students learned about cinematography and created short documentaries about their lives and their culture. We will post the documentary on the PEACE Blog in the coming weeks.

An ENORMOUS THANK YOU Esteban for lending your time to teach local children about documentary film!

PEACE Ambassadors are individuals from all walks of life who give their time and energy to furthering PEACE's mission and getting the word out about PEACE programs.

Photos by Nikhol Esteras Roberts

From a Volunteer's Perspective... Working at the Spay & Neuter Clinic

2010-02-25T18:36:00.000-08:00

I have been volunteering at the free Spay & Neuter Clinics in Rincon de Guayabitos, La Penita, La Colonia and Los Ayala for the past 4 years. These Clinics are organized by PEACE and Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue (JBAR). I have witnessed firsthand, the dramatic change in attitude of the local people because of what they've learned at these Clinics... how to take care of their animals, how to bathe them, and what to feed them (not just a few tortillas). A few years ago, they used to bring in their animals... now, they are proud to bring in their "pets". These animals have names, they have collars, and they are well loved. And if you walk the beaches, you will notice that there are far less stray dogs in the area... this too, is due to the great work of the Clinics. It has been an incredible transformation, and in such a short period of time.

The last Clinic was just held in Guayabitos from February 17-20, and it was a huge success. During this 4-day Clinic, we took in a whopping 153 animals, 144 of which we sterilized. This is a new PEACE record.

This is one of the most rewarding things I have ever been a part of. I am so proud to be able to give my time to this wonderful project, with these amazing people all dedicated to helping change the lives of the animals!

Allyson Williams

Proud PEACE and JBAR Volunteer

During the February Clinic in Guayabitos, Dr. Malcolm Macartney and his team from Victoria, BC, volunteered their time and talents. Here is a description of his experience...

"I was expecting to come into an area overrun with mangy stray dogs and cats that needed a great deal of veterinary attention, but to my surprise the animal scene in Rincon de Guayabitos, La Penita and Los Ayala seemed to be fairly good from an outsider's perspective. During the week that we spent at the Clinic, and in the town talking to locals and gringos, I became aware that it was because of the long-term efforts of the Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue and PEACE Mexico that things have so dramatically changed for animal welfare this past decade. Lin, Lacy, Ally, the other volunteers, and PEACE should be congratulated for their efforts.

Myself, Dr. Diane Cruickshank and two animal health technicians, Jen and Sorcha, from our clinic in Victoria, British Columbia, traveled with suitcases full of surgical and medical supplies for the four-day long Clinic in Guayabitos. Lacy and Paul Mutch graciously allowed us to stay at their beautiful home for the week, which worked out well as it was situated close to the Clinic.

The work was hectic and hard on my back. For a volunteer-run Clinic it ran like a well-greased machine. Experienced and new volunteers from the community worked hard during the Clinic. Some told me they had worked these Clinics for at least the past 5 years, and that it was the highlight of their winter months in Mexico!

There were teams of people who managed the patient intake, recovery, autoclave room, and surgery... all amazingly talented and cheerful folks. They kept us busy in the surgery suite. During this Clinic 144 pets and strays were sterilized, and also treated for worms, ticks, fleas, and lice over the course of the Clinic. Quite a feat, especially since it rained and blew hard for two of the days.

Dr. Antonio Carillo, Lalo, Paulina and the rest of the PEACE team were simply outstanding in their skills and knowledge. They made us feel welcome, and it was nice to get to know them outside of the Clinic setting as well. I learned a lot from them. The combined experience of working with all of the Clinic people, and helping improve the lives of animals made this a very worthwhile experience that I know the staff of the McKenzie Veterinary Services want to be a part of in the future. We'll be back!"

Dr. Malcolm Macartney

McKenzie Veterinary Services

Victoria, BC Canada

We LOVE our Volunteers

2010-02-23T15:07:00.000-08:00

Here at PEACE, we often rely on the love and hard work of our dedicated volunteers. Over the years, we have had teams of people who have helped us build parks, teach English, develop and carry out programs, help countless numbers of animals, design and create graphics and imagery that we use every day... and the list goes on and on. We love and appreciate the volunteers that pass through our doors every single day.

In January, we were lucky enough to have a team of amazing students come help us to reach our goals. The team from Northern Illinois University had specific work plans before they arrived at the PEACE office. In order to offer the best possible volunteer experience, PEACE team members work together with volunteers to predetermine what their work schedule will be.

Dina Bach, Barbara Bach, Anna Stopa, Molyka Rath and David Hansel helped with important PEACE projects and initiatives. Dennis Barsema, a professor of Social Entrepreneurship and Micro-finance at Northern Illinois University, got the wheels rolling on this connection, and for that, we are incredibly grateful.

Here is a list of a few of the things they accomplished while there were here: 1) Made huge steps towards the completion of our 2009 Annual Report; 2) Set the groundwork for our micro-financing initiative; 3) Wrote and finalized the curriculum for our fabulous "Celebrate The Beat" program; 4) Created the curriculum for our Financial Education workshops with Manos Unidas; and 5) The PEACE team received a series of much needed Excel classes!

We also had a few visitors from the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD). Students from UMD have been to the Bay before, and have worked with several different non-profit and community groups in the area. Ivy Berg chose to focus her volunteer time working on curriculum development for Casa Comunidad's educational programs. Ivy and her friend Stephanie helped the Casa Comunidad Directors with the English curriculum and visual aides for English teachers.

In addition, we had another visit from our returning volunteer, Peter Doering, who donated three brand new Compaq notebooks to PEACE. During his stay, he gave several computer workshops to the PEACE team, as well as computer skills classes to students and teachers in the community. He also took groups of children to the movies, played games with them, and much more. Peter is a dedicated PEACE volunteer who has helped us tremendously in furthering our mission and reaching our goals. We look forward to his visit again next year!

Currently, we are working with several other volunteers, both long- and short-term. We will have more to come on them soon, but just so they all know... THANK YOU for everything you are doing, and continue to do for us, we greatly appreciate all that you do!

Do YOU want to volunteer at PEACE?

If you are interested in volunteering at PEACE, contact Nicole Majewski at nicole@peacemexico.org.

If you would like to become part of our amazing summer internship program, email internship@peacemexico.org. You can read more about our internship program by clicking here.

If you want to make your volunteer time in Mexico a retreat/vacation, check out one of our PEACE Partners at Destination: PEACE.

Community Yoga Program

2010-02-21T12:05:00.000-08:00

Casa Comunidad's Community Yoga Program continues to teach and inspire children through free weekly yoga classes. Nikhol Esteras Roberts, Co-Director of Casa Comunidad, teaches yoga to children in the kindergarten in Corral del Risco on Thursdays, and at Emiliano Zapata on Fridays. There are at least twenty students in each class.

While the kids do yoga, Nova Pennison, the other Co-Director of Casa Comunidad, teaches free English classes to their mothers. By offering English to the mothers, and yoga to the children at the same time, the mothers have the opportunity to focus on learning without being distracted. Wow, what lucky ladies.

If you are interested in volunteering in this program let us know! We are always looking for English teachers and assistants, as well as yoga helpers. Or, if you would like to donate yoga mats or ESL materials we would be incredibly grateful. Contact nikhol@peacemexico.org.

Photos by Nikhol Esteras Roberts and Nicole Majewski

Manos Unidas Baskets are Shipping Out!

2010-02-14T11:26:00.000-08:00

Manos Unidas por la Mujer is one PEACE's four principal programs. It empowers women to move toward financial independence by providing business resources, education and training. Through the Manos Unidas program, local women learn how to make different handicrafts, which are then purchased by PEACE and other wholesale clients to be sold to the tourist market at small stores and kiosks in the area and through the online webstore.

This "Fair Trade" concept proposes that when purchasing any product, we should think about the people behind the creation. In the global market place, the person making or creating the products are typically the ones that make the least amount of money. Fair trade in action makes sure the persons making the products receive a FAIR percentage of the finished product, sometimes referred to as a "living wage", and it changes from country to country. Fair trade can only be practiced when the consumer chooses to purchase products made and traded under this philosophy. It ensures that the person making or creating the products receives a fair percentage of the total of which the product is sold commercially. The goals of the Fair Trade philosophy are a) to create sustainable income for the creators and manufacturers of products; b) establish a fair or "living" wage; c) establish and maintain continuous cooperation with the producers and manufacturers for the buying and selling of their goods; and d) to create new markets for goods marketed under the Fair Trade philosophy.

PEACE has been working closely with several local businesses who provide Manos Unidas products in the stores, boutiques, restaurants, etc. to sell to their customers. In addition, we are also working on getting these products exported to the US and Canada.

Our first large order will be shipped out next week. We have teamed up with Fair Indigo and will begin working closely with them in custom-made products so that they can distribute them through their website, which also promotes Fair Trade and artisans from around the world. The women of Manos Unidas have created over 100 woven baskets using recycled newspapers for this order. We hope this is the first of many orders that we will be doing with Fair Indigo and other companies like them.

Thank you Rebecca and Children Inspire Design for their collaboration on this project!

If you, or anyone you know, are interested in hosting a PEACE party with Manos Unidas products, distributing Manos Unidas products in their businesses or boutiques, or sponsoring a woman of the coop, please contact us via their website at Manos Unidas. For information on selling Manos Unidas products, please contact Emily L'Hoist at emily@peacemexico.org.

Vote and Raise Funds for PEACE via Spay Day

2010-02-10T06:27:00.000-08:00

Spay Day is The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International's annual event to inspire people to save animals' lives by spaying or neutering pets and feral cats.

You can help raise funds for spaying and neutering by entering the Spay Day Online Pet Photo Contest. Entering is easy and free. Click here, upload a digital photo of your pet and write a short paragraph about them. Your pet will be judged, and you can win prizes. Better yet, you can also compete with other pets for votes in the Fundraisers Category... this is where PEACE comes in. Just name PEACE as the charity you want to support, forward your pet's photo page to your friends and family, and then ask them to donate to vote for your pet (and list PEACE as their beneficiary for their votes as well)! Every dollar donated in your pet's name will help spay and neuter pets to control overpopulation... and give your pet another vote.

The more people who vote for PEACE, the more money we raise towards Spay Day and towards our organization.

So, get online and vote... the contest ends February 26th!

Celebrate The Beat are Back!

2010-02-09T17:49:00.000-08:00

PEACE is ready to welcome the team from Celebrate The Beat once again this year. They arrived this weekend, and started working with the children at the primary school of Corral del Risco. We are so excited for this years performance!

A little background of "Celebrate The Beat"...

Celebrate The Beat (CTB) is a not-for-profit Colorado-based organization. Their mission is to teach inspirational music and dance classes that help children discover their potential by motivating them to believe in themselves, to value artistic expression, and to develop a personal standard of excellence; to use dance as the medium to teach children a valuable life lesson: that energy, discipline, hard work, commitment, and joyful concentration can lead to success; and to set high standards, and support children as they learn to meet those standards by trying their hardest and never giving up.

During and after school hours, this team of teaching artists serve entire grades, or an entire school, by creating a music and dance extravaganza inspired by that year's education theme. The artists are professional dancers, choreographers, musicians, and composers, who believe that the arts should be an integral part of every child's education. They have traveled all around the US and also to Mexico to share their program with grade-school children. We are lucky enough to have had the opportunity to work with them last year with the children of the primary school of Emiliano Zapata, and it was a huge success! This year, the team in Corral del Risco will be led by artistic director Tracy Straus, musical directors Tim Ribner and Marc Malcuit, and CTB teachers Heather Kratz and Jon Swarthout. The CTB students will learn dances inspired by Dr. Suess's "Horton Hears a Who" and create a 15-foot banner also inspired by Dr. Suess. So much fun!

We have two amazing opportunities for you to see the children and their grand performance. The first is for parents and family friends on Friday, February 19 at the primary school in Corral del Risco; the other is an evening performance at the Hotel des Artistes Sky Bar in Anclote on Saturday, February 20 at 5:30pm (Jalisco Time), which will include cocktails, live auction, music and a performance by these amazing children. Please join us if you have the chance... it will be an experience to remember! Details on the event will be coming soon. If you have questions, contact Nicole at nicole@peacemexico.org

For more information on Celebrate The Beat and their amazing project, please visit their website at http://www.ctbeat.org/

Photos by Nikhol Esteras-Roberts and Nicole Majewski

1st Annual Chalk Walk in Bucerias

2010-02-06T10:30:00.000-08:00

The First Annual Chalk Walk took place in Bucerias on January 20-22, and was a huge success! One whole block on the main avenue, Lazaro Cardenas, was closed off for the event. Christy Beguesse, the owner of Broken Art Gallery in Bucerias, organized the event along with a team of volunteers from around Bucerias and La Cruz. The intention was to bring a Mondannari Festival to Bucerias to stimulate tourism and initiate an annual cultural event. Several professional chalk artists from both the US and Mexico participated during the 3-day event. Lori Escalera and Julio Jimenez were two of the artists. PEACE was asked to participate by providing volunteers and the children for the workshop. Over 20 children between the ages of 3-15 spent Friday morning taking a small workshop from the artists. They were given a bag of chalk and a square to create their artwork. What a sight!

Free Dental Clinic at PEACE

2010-02-05T10:15:00.000-08:00

Between January 18-29, PEACE's main headquarters at Casa Campesina was turned into a dental clinic. During those 10 days, 12 dentists and 4 dental hygienists performed FREE dental work on over 150 children and some of their family members. The students were told about the service in advance, and they had to fill out permission slips and turn them into their teachers. This service has been offered by PEACE for about 3 years now, and also in other facilities around the Bay. The participating dentists are a team from the US and Canada who have been coming down to Mexico for over 5 years to provide this service for children and communities who cannot afford it. The lead dentist in the 2nd group that visited PEACE was Douglas Hymas from Idaho. He told us that he has been doing this for so long that they now have a storage space at a colleagues place in PV where they are able to keep their large equipment, chairs, etc. These is no website for these dentists, no form of recognizing them for their good deeds via the worldwide web... the smiles on the children's faces are enough for them!

THANK YOU Douglas and your amazing team!

If you have any interest in learning about Doug and his mission in Mexico, please contact him directly at dlymas@gmail.com

Photos by Nova Pennison

Gretchen's Weekly Story and the Animals

2009-12-14T11:21:00.000-08:00

We drove south to Manzanillo this week for a two-night stay.
Manzanillo isn't very pretty, but the drive down on highway 200 is beautiful. One winds around the jungled coastal road and then up into the foothills of the Sierra Madres, where scattered pine trees remind one that it is almost Christmas. About an hour north of Manzanillo, one looks down onto a gorgeous coastal plain, near the town of Cihuatlan. This very southern part of the State of Jalisco is filled with an enormous expanse of shiny-leafed banana trees nestling beneath tall coco palms. The miles and miles of these plantations are bordered by the shadowy Sierra Madre mountains to the east and the bright Pacific ocean to the west. The name "Cihuatlan" is derived from the indigenous words "Zihua," meaning "woman," and "tlan,"
meaning "place." When the Spanish arrived in the early 16th century, the village was described as an "island of women," as there were apparently 500 women and only 20 men living there. Not much fun for the women.

Saturday night - Valle de Banderas - Sensational concert in the central plaza of this municipality celebrating its 20 years. Following beautifully performed and costumed folkloric dances, the well-known singer from Oaxaca, Lila Downs, sang her updated versions of classical vernacular songs, as well as some of her own compositions, some of which are influenced by the native Mesoamerican music of Mixtec, Zapotec, Maya and Nahuatl cultures. Brilliant fireworks overhead next to the church. After all the celebrating, the plaza and town were left in immaculate condition.

Sunday, December 12th, was the last night of the "pilgrimages" of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I will miss Calle Juarez being closed to cars and buses. It was so pleasant having it as a pedestrian-only street.
The buses are particularly noisy and disruptive as they plunge one after another in rapid succession through town. The bus union is very powerful here. Interesting - unions are except from taxes.

MAGISTERIO CLINIC - December 9-12

This was our second visit this year to the very humble, inland colonia filled with dusty dogs and cats. Several were pregnant or nursing.
The clinic was held in an empty classroom in the primary school. At lunch and recesses, crowds of curious children clustered in front of kennels, windows and the front door. Some of them had pets there for surgery. Most of the owners of dogs and cats in Magisterio were happy to have their pets sterilized. There are still owners who want their pets to have "just one litter." We saw a beautiful Doberman whose polite and friendly owner said she was barely pregnant by a dog or dogs in the neighborhood. He plans to breed her with "one of her kind" after this first litter is born. There are others who don't think it's important to have male animals neutered. If they don't care about the females that are being impregnated, a photograph of a dog with VD might change their minds.

Sterilizations: female dogs-34; male dogs - 17; female cats - 16; male cats - 11 TOTAL= 78

NEW CLINIC VOLUNTEERS: Lynne Clock, former surgical nurse in Kansas City, will work buddy system with her friend, Pamela Evans; Laura Chavez on Saturdays while she's here; Pat Kelly, whom I met at the Pet Picnic; Stephanie Dubinsky and her friend Jess, visiting from Vancouver Island; Kayla Okafor and 6-9 volunteers bringing vet supplies from a pet hospital from Denver will be at the January 20th clinic in Magisterio.

Written in Facebook by Oscar Guadarrama, vet from Toluca.

"We successfully carried out our first volunteer training workshop for supporting sterilization clinics in Toluca. We're very grateful to PEACE in Nayarit. (www.peacemexico.org) Without their help and support this first effort would not have been possible."

Dr. Guadarrama had brought 6 other people to the clinic in Guayabitos, Nayarit, to learn more about how PEACE runs its clinics.

DONATIONS: Margo Landry - 2,000 pesos for Vallarta s/n clinics plus three large bags of used clothing that PEACE will distribute in needy neighborhoods.

Rita Kuntz - 200 pesos for sterilization of a neighbor's kitten at Magisterio clinic. Money will to go free clinics in Vallarta.

RESCUED: Small, fluffy white female 8-month-old French Poodle hit by a car and found on the street by Chelsea Peters - recovering beautifully - needs home. Contact: Marcela Escalante, who is fostering her: marcelaescalantem@hotmail.com or 044322 14 68 261

ADOPTED: Grey female French Poodle removed from the Acopio (pound) by Silvia Alvarez and adopted by a friend of Jhovanne.

Kitten rescued on the street by Teri Jo Wheeler. A grandmother of one of her students at the American School fell in love with it.

All four of Alma Cardena's four black labs living in Boca. I had e-mailed Kai Doyle, who has a home in El Tuito and knows Oscar Martinez from the Botanical Gardens. Oscar has a ranch in Tuito and took the two dogs home with him. The other two dogs have been adopted by Tejano, the caretaker at the Cardena sisters' property, Chee Chee's. Once it is sold, these dogs will also be living in El Tuito.

Three of Manuel Zapata's four rescued chihuahuas - accomplished via e-mails. One still needs a home. Contact: manuel040168@hotmail.com

NEED HOMES:

"Pantera," a one-year old spayed small black lab mix - 10 kilos.
Owner ill and can't keep her. Photo available. Contact:
marcelaescalantem@hotmail.com;

Four-month old female brown and white Pit Bull- vaccines all current.
Owner unable to keep, as she works long hours. Contact: pm@pvrpv.com photos available.

Always - animals at the Acopio - www.elrincondelhueso.blogspot.com-
new photos every Tuesday. Please consider adopting there before the pound closes for Christmas vacation.

NEEDS HELP: Paraiso Felino -Janina Erban's cat sanctuary in Nayarit, where she and her mother are currently caring for 100 cats. If you would like to donate, please write "Paraíso Felino AC" on the memo of the check and advise Janina re name, date and amount.
paraiso_felino@hotmail.com Checks can be sent to the PEACE address in Colorado.

UPCOMING CLINICS - WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you to the small corps of volunteers who have been working the clinics. You know who you are and you have been great. We would like to see some nationals and some men involved in these efforts to reduce the homeless pet situation. The more volunteers, the more surgeries performed.

12.16-12.19 - Wednesday-Saturday -Cañadas, Jalisco 12.23-1.2.10 - NO CLINICS 1.6.10-1.9.10 - Wednesday-Saturday - Turtle camp near airport
1.11.10- 1.15.10 - Monday-Friday- Paso Ancho 1.18.10-1.22.10 - Monday-Friday Magisterio 1.25.10-1.29.10 - Monday-Friday Acopio

TO ADVISE WHEN/WHERE FOR VOLUNTEERING AND FOR DIRECTIONS:

paulina@peacemexico.org or 044 322 102 3327 or - lalo@peacemexico.org

PEACE ROAD CLEAN-UP: Saturday, December 12th - Punta de Mita. A crew of volunteers were provided with bags, gloves and water for this clean-up project.

PEACE PICNIC 12/4: $16,130 pesos raised for clinics.

PEACE Party! Hearts are in the Air!

2009-12-06T07:29:00.001-08:00

What a fantastic PARTY with great music, food, laughter, smiles, silent auction and much fun!

Great story time about the Animal Program!

2009-12-06T07:28:00.001-08:00

December 6 Report

Rain! It has been the driest year in 68 years in Mexico. The locals
have been throwing buckets of water on the dirt roads to eliminate
some of the dust in the dry season. Monday's rain all day and
night, and then a surprise rain Sunday, will help.

Mexico began celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe on Tuesday, December 1st, with the sounds of trumpets, tubas, flutes, violins, drums and the rollicking chimes of church bells. For twelve nights, candlelit processions of singing "pilgrims" and musicians walk along a main thoroughfare, Calle Juarez, some carrying offerings of food and
flowers to the church. A section of the street, which passes next to
the main plaza and in front of the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, is
closed to cars at night. Small stalls of food vendors are at every
corner. Tacos, tostados, tamales quesadillas, chicken brochettes, churros, crepes, cookies, pies, cakes, etc. A dozen bagged organic tangerines from Tuito are sold on street corners for 20 pesos.
People sit on curbs enjoying the street feast, waiting for the costumed Aztec and Mexican dancers, mariachis and the floats depicting Juan Diego's vision of the much revered Lady of Guadalupe. This is a very joyful time here.

A PERFECT PEACE PICNIC: An enthusiastic crowd gathered at Daiquiri
Dick's on Saturday for the 4th annual Pet Picnic. Adoptions there!
Laura Gelezunas' two rescue kittens, Gucci and Prada; three of Andrea's rescue dogs; both of Chelsea Peter's rescue puppies, one of
which flew to Vancouver on Sunday. Waiting for news on amount of
monies raised.

Los Sauces ("the willows")- More than twenty years there were many willows in this colonia to the east of Costco. They were all uprooted to build houses in this clean, clobble streeted, middle class Mexican neighborhood. The clinic was held in a half grass, half cement-floored covered lot across the street from the small park with a little playground in the center. Tuesday was dedicated to a training seminar for seven clinic volunteers, so there was no canvassing for cats and dogs. There were only two cats and six dogs sterilized that first
day. All the animals we saw were well fed and well cared for. No
ticks or fleas. I've never seen such healthy animals at a clinic. On the second day of the training session, teacher Chelsea Peters brought in 20 -7th grade biology students from the nearby British-American school to observe. After they left, volunteers spent approximately 45 minutes at each station, i.e., registration, prep, surgery, instruments and post-op recovery. To be certified, we all took a 60 question test created by PEACE Director, Molly Fisher.

We are in GREAT NEED of volunteers for the clinics. There are funds for approximately three more months for clinics in Puerto Vallarta.
The more volunteers, the more animals sterilized. From the list below, you will see what the vet and 3 paid staff have to do without volunteers. If you can help with any of these responsibilities,
please contact paulina@peacemexico.org We hope to gain the
volunteer support of nationals.

Volunteers needed for the following duties (Volunteers for last section need not be certified):

Check-in - 3 if busy time, 1 of whom needs to be bi-lingual Surgery - 1-2 -to carry animal from surgery table to recovery area Recovery - 2-5; Check-out - 1 - bi-lingual; Instrument cleaning - 2; Animal pick-up - 3-5 Runner - 1 person - bi-lingual; Clean-up crew - 2-3; Laundry - 1; Food organizer - 1-2

CLINIC IN LOS SAUCES 122/2-12/5

STERILIZATIONS: Dogs: M - 7; F- 16 Cats: M- 13; F 29 Total: 65

STERILIZATIONS 11/19-21 in Bucerias AND "Paraiso Felino" (both in Nayarit)

Dogs: M - 3 ; F -10 Cats: M- 9; F - 5 Total: 27

CLINIC SCHEDULE:

12.9-12.12 - Wednesday-Saturday -Magisterio, Jalisco
12.16-12.19 - Wednesday-Saturday -Cañadas, Jalisco 12.23-1.2.10 - NO CLINICS 1.6.10-1.9.10 - Wednesday-Saturday - Turtle camp near airport
1.11.10- 1.15.10 - Monday-Friday- Paso Ancho 1.18.10-1.22.10 - Monday-Friday Magisterio 1.25.10-1.29.10 - Monday-Friday Acopio

TO ADVISE WHEN/WHERE FOR VOLUNTEERING AND FOR DIRECTIONS:

paulina@peacemexico.org or 044 322 102 3327 or - lalo@peacemexico.org

OTHER ADOPTIONS: Laura Gelezunas - puppy rescued from the street by Tere Kimbal's maid and boarded at Dr. Manuel Pena's; and "Batman,"
one of Andrea's rescue dogs - at the Pet Picnic.

DONATIONS: Laura Chavez - who lives here and in Arizona -a bag full of new collars and leashes for the free s/n clinics. Laura has fostered rescue dogs in Puerto Vallarta and is also fostering them at her Phoenix home.

Joann Bryla - a bag full of expensive suture material - given to her by an emergency vet hospital in the U.S.

CENTRO de ACOPIO (POUND): It is cool in the mornings and at night now
in Puerto Vallarta. The pound is located up in the hills about 15
minutes from the hotel zone. Pregnant dogs and dogs with new litters are taken to the pound on a regular basis. Puppies have literally frozen to death overnight there. If you can foster puppies OR pregnant or nursing dogs, please call Tanya at the Acopio - 293-3690.
Photos of new arrivals, all taken by Silvia Alvarez, are posted every Tuesday. www.elrincondelhueso.blogspot.com

The acopio sterilizes cats and dogs for 104 pesos each. Adult dogs
and cats do not go out in adoption from there unless sterilized. If
owners would be responsible by taking their pets to vets, the acopio or to PEACE free clinics for sterilization, there wouldn't be so many sad stories.

Pets can make wonderful Christmas gifts if they are considered serious responsibilities. If planning to give or get one, please adopt, don't purchase a cat or a dog. There are so many beautiful animals available at the pound (acopio), on the streets, being fostered and at PEACE and SPCA adoption days (www.spcapv.blogspot.com) . The more animals adopted at the library on Saturdays, the more dogs than can be removed from the pound.

FOSTERING: the pregnant terrier mix photographed at the Acopio Tuesday - by Laura Chavez. I met Laura that same evening for dessert and mentioned having just seen the photo. Laura immediately said, "I can take her." The dog will give birth in her home during the next week or two, which means the puppies will have no exposure to the distemper virus. It's extremely difficult to eradicate the virus.
Puppies are particularly susceptible, as their immune systems haven't had time to develop. Homes will need to be found for sweet mama and babies.

RESCUED: As i was walking down Guadalupe Sanchez, I noticed a very nice looking boy of about ten, dressed in a school uniform. He was tenderly carrying a tiny grey and white kitten wrapped in a hand towel and pressed close to his chest. The boy's name was Luis, and he told me that he had found it in the stadium, where lots of kittens and puppies are dumped. Luis had already bought the kitten some puppy
milk and was taking it home. I gave him Dr. Tamayo's contact
information and the PEACE free clinic schedule.

NEED HOMES: Four chihuahuas and another dozen other rescue dogs.
Please contact Manuel Zapata, a friend of Marcela Escalante, if
interested: manuel041068@hotmail.com

PEACE PET ADOPTION DAY: December 12th in front of MEGA in Bucerias from 9-1 Jalisco time. Pets must be healthy and sterilized. Owners must sit with them and take them home if not adopted. For further information and to reconfirm day before: sioux4noff@gmail.com

MANO UNIDAS POR LA MUJER - For Christmas gifts and tree ornaments - The unusual and great looking handicrafts created by a group of about 20 women in the PEACE women's co-op are sold at the following locations in Puerto Vallarta: Boutique at Botanical Gardens; Davanna Yoga; Lalo's; "Your Creative Awakening" studio/gallery; Sun Silver.

PEACE "REAL HOME TOURS" in Nayarit - Next tour will be December 22nd.
Starting in January, tours will be once or twice a week. Schedule to be announced. Sazon de Mita, a loncheria attached to a home in Emiliano Zapata, will be the regular stop for guacamole, fresh tacos and agua de jamaica. Tours depart from Bucerias Plaza. Tickets are
$35 U.S. For more information, please contact:
yavette.presence@gmail.com

In PEACE,

Gretchen - Board of Directors - www. peacemexico.org

PHOTOS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Staff and volunteers preparing for clinic in Los Sauces this week Gaby Roman Urtiz and Molly Fisher at training seminar for clinic volunteers Paulina Stettner demonstrates muzzling of dog Dog thanks Paulina Lalo Mendez Barandica, Paulina, PEACE vet, Anthony Garcia Carillo Anthony in quiet zone Anthony in surgery Paulina and PEACE staffer, Juan Carlos Rodriguez Cabrera

LLuvia! Ha sido el año más seco durante 68 años en Mexico. Los lugareños han echado cubos de agua en las pistas de tierra para reducir el polvo en la temporada seca. La lluvia del lunes, día y noche y domingo ayudara.

Mexico empezó a celebrar nuestra Señora de Guadalupe el martes, 1 de diciembre. Para 12 noches, procesiones de"peregrinos“ con velas y mariachis pasan por una via principal, la Calle Juarez, a la iglesia.
Una parte de la calle, la que va por la gran plaza y delante de la iglesia de nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, esta cerrada para carros esta noche. Puestos pequeños de vendedores de comida estan a todos lados.
Tacos, quesadillas, tostados, tamales, crepes, churros, galletas, tartas, pasteles, etc. Una docena de sacos de mandarinas organicas de Tuito estan en venta en las esquinas por 20 pesos. La gente esta sentada en el bordillo, esperando las danzas aztecas y mexicanas tradicionales, los mariachis y las carrozas representando las visiones que Juan Diego tenía de la Señora de Guadalupe. Es un tiempo muy feliz aqui.

UN PICNIC PERFECTO PARA MASCOTAS: Sabado a Daiquiri Dick's - tambien adopciones! los 2 gatitos recatados de la calle or Laura Gelezunas;
3 perros rescatados por Andrea; los dos cachorritos rescatados por Chelsea Peter. Uno se fue domingo a Vancouver. Estoy esperando las noticias de las donaciones a PEACE por el PET PICNIC que van a las clinicas gratis en la area de la Bahia de Banderas.

CLINICA - 12/2-12/5
Los Sauces – durante mas que 20 años habían muchos sauces en esta colonía en el este de Costco. Les han desarraigados para construir casas en este barrio mexicana burgués, limpio y con calles empedradas.
La clinica tuvo lugar en un terreno medio cubierto con hierbas, medio con cemento, al otro lado de la calle de un parque pequeño con un patio de recreo en el centro. El martes fue dedicado a un seminario de entrenamiento para siete voluntarios de la clinica, asi que no fuimos a buscar perros y gatos en el barrio. Solamente se esterilizaron dos gatos y seis perros este primer dia. Todos los animales que vimos eran bien alimentados y bien cuidados. No tenian garrapatas ni pulgas.
Nunca había visto animales tan sanos en una clinica. El segundo día del entrenamiento, la profesora Chelsea Peters llevó a 20 estudiantes de biología del septimo curso de la escuela britanica y estadounidense que esta cerca para observar. Después de que se habían ido, los voluntarios pasaban unos 45 minutos en cada unidad, o sea en registración, preparación, cirugía, instrumentos y post-cirugía. Para obtener el certificado, tomamos un examen de 60 preguntas elaborado por Molly Fisher, la directora de PEACE. Mas que dos docenas de animales fueron esterilizados el jueves, principalmente gatos.

Necesitamos urgentemente voluntarios para la clinica. Hay fondos para cubrir aproximadamente otros 3 meses de clinicas en Puerto Vallarta.
Cuanto mas voluntarios, tanto mas animales esterilizados. De la lista abajo, puede ver lo mucho que tienen que hacer el veterinario y los tres empleados pagados sin voluntarios. Si usted puede ayudar con alguna de estas responsabilidades, por favor pongase en contacto con paulina@peacemexico.org

Se busca voluntarios para los cargos siguientes:
Check-in - 3 si hay muchos pacientes, uno de ellos con conocimientos bilingues

Cirugía - 1-2 –para llevar los animales de la cirugía a la área de recuperación

Recuperación - 2-5

Check-out - 1 (bilingue)

Para limpiar los instrumentos – 2

Recogida de los animales - 3-5

Recadero - 1 person - bi-lingual

Limpieza crew - 2-3

Lavado – 1

Organizar la comida - 1-2

ESTERILIZACIÓNES EN LA CLINICA DE LOS SAUCES 12/2-12/5

Perros 7; Perras 16; Gatos 13: Gatas: 29 Total: 65

ESTERILIZATIONS 11/19-21 in Bucerias y"Paraiso Felino" Nayarit)

Perros - 3 ;Perras -10 Gatos- 9; Gatas - 5 Total: 27

CLINICAS:

12.9-12.12 - Miercoles - Sábado -Magisterio, Jalisco
12.16-12.19 - Miercoles - Sábado -Cañadas, Jalisco 12.23-1.2.10 - NO HAY CLINICA 1.6.10-1.9.10 - Miercoles - Sábado - Campamento de tortugas cerca del aeropuerto
1.11.10- 1.15.10 - Lunes-Viernes - Paso Ancho 1.18.10-1.22.10 - Lunes-Viernes - Magisterio 1.25.10-1.29.10 - Lunes-Viernes - Acopio

Para avisar cuando/donde ofrecerse voluntario y para obtener las direcciones:

paulina@peacemexico.org - 044 322 102 3327. o - lalo@peacemexico.org

DONACIONES: Laura Chavez – quien vive aqui y en Arizona – una bolsa de collares y correas nuevas para las clinicas gratuitas. Laura ha adoptado perros salvados en Puerto Vallarta y ahora esta criandoles en su casa en Phoenix.

Joann Bryla – una bolsa de materiales de sutura muy caras – dado por un hospital de emergencias veterinarios en los Estados Unidos.

CENTRO de ACOPIO: Ahora ya hace frio por la mañana y por la noche en Vallarta. El acopio esta situado en las colinas a unas 15 minutos de la zona hotelera. Regularmente, se lleva perras preñadas y perras con sus crías reciente nacidas al acopio. Perritos literalmente han muerto del frio durante la noche. Si usted puede criar un perrito o una perra preñada o amamantante, favor de contactar Tanya en el acopio - 293-3690. Cada jueves se publican fotos de las nuevas llegadas, todas tomadas por Silvia Alvarez. - www.elrincondelhueso.blogspot.com

El acopio realiza esterilizaciones de gatos y perros por 104 pesos. No se da perros y gatos adultos en adopcion sin esterilización anterior.
Si los dueños mostrarían mas responsabilidad llevando sus mascotas al vet, al acopio o ma las clinicas gratuitas de PEACE para esterilizarles, no hubieran tantas historias tristes.

Las mascotas pueden ser regalos maravillosos para navidad, siempre que se les considere como responsabilidad seria. Si usted piensa en comprarse una para si mismo o como regalo, por favor adopte una y no compre un perro o un gato. Hay tantos animales hermosos en el acopio, en las calles, acogidos o en las dias de adopción de PEACE y SPCA
(www.spcapv.blogspot.com) . Cuantos mas animales adoptados en la libreria el sabado, tantos mas perros se puede sacar del acopio.

ACOGIMIENTO: el terrier preñada que fue fotografiado el jueves en el acopio, por Laura Chavez. Me encontré con ella esta misma noche para el postre y mencioné que acababa de ver la foto. De inmediato me dijo Laura que podía tomarla. La perra dara a luz en su casa en la semana que viene o la despues, lo que significa que los perritos no seran expuestos al virus del moquillo. Es muy difícil eradicar este virus.
Son lo más susceptible de perritos, cuando su sistema inmunológico no ha tenido tiempo para desarollarse. Se tendrá que encontrar un hogar para la linda mama y sus bebes.

SALVADO: Caminando por Guadaluoe Sanchez, me dí cuenta de un chico simpatico de aproximadamente diez años, vestido de uniforme escolar.
Cuidadosamente, estaba llevando un gatito diminuto de color gris y blanco envuelto en una toalla, y apretandolo firmemente contra su pecho. El nombre del chico era Luis, y me contó que lo habia encontrado en el estadeo, donde muchos gatitos y perritos son abandonados. Luis ya le había comprado algo de leche y estaba llevandole a casa. Le di los datos de contacto del Dr. Tamayo y el horario de las clínicas gratuitas de PEACE.

NECESITAN UN HOGAR: Cuatro chihuahuas y otra docena de perros salvados. Favor de ponerse en contacto con Manuel Zapata, amigo de Marcela Escalante, si usted tiene interes: manuel041068@hotmail.com

PEACE DIA DE LA ADOPCION: El 12 de diciembre enfrente del MEGA en Bucerias de las 9-1 (tiempo de Jalisco). Los animales tienen que ser esterilizados y estar bien de salud. Hay que quedar con los animales y llevarles a casa si no son adoptados. Para mas información y para reconfirmar el dia anterior: sioux4noff@gmail.com

MANO UNIDAS POR LA MUJER – Para regalos y adornos de navidad – La artesania excepcional y estupendo hecha por un grupo de unas 20 mujeres en co-op de PEACE estan de venta en los sitios siguientes en
Vallarta: Boutique at Botanical Gardens; Davanna Yoga; Lalo's; "Your Creative Awakening" studio/gallery; Sun Silver.

PEACE "REAL HOME“ EXCURSIONES en Nayarit – la próxima excursión sera el 22 de diciembre. A partir de enero, habra una o dos excursiones cada semana. Horario a confirmar. Sazon de Mita, una loncheria junto a una casa en Emiliano Zapata, sera la parada regular para guacamole, tacos recien hechos y agua de jamaica. Punto de partida es la Plaza de Bucerias. Boletos por $35 U.S.. Para mas informacion, favor de ponerse en contacto con yavette.presence@gmail.com

PEACE Party!

2009-12-01T10:39:00.000-08:00

Come join the fun!

Community Gardens!

2009-12-01T10:31:00.000-08:00

Talking the talk and walking the walk; The after school program teachers are leading their students in planning and creating community gardens in their schools. Students are receiving donations of plants and seeds from their families and the community and the results have been incredible! In Higuera Blanca Maestro Martin and his students have cleared a huge space, turned the soil and are planting maiz, rabanos and pepino. Maestros Miguel and Herendida have gotten the community in Emiliano Zapata involved in creating their community garden. Students are constructing beds and the director of the primaria can often be spotted working with the after school program staff and students in their school garden. Maestros Rosario and Pepe along with their students have been busy planting trees and constructing gardens beds in the school in Corral de Risco. Kinder Maestras Lucy and Rosy and their students have planted pepino, frijoles and rabanos! A special thanks to Steve for teaching gardening to the kinder students in Emiliano Zapata and for donating quality soil and seeds. Thank you to the amazing after school program teachers who are making a difference in the lives of local children and teaching through hands-on activities!

PEACE Volunteers!

2009-11-25T12:24:00.000-08:00

Beth and Peter volunteered with the kinder kids in Corral de Risco! Beth is a kinder teacher in the states, and she is trying to start an intercultural exchange between her class and the kinder class in Corral de RIsco. Beth and Peter taught a drawing class to the kids and then took pictures of each student to make a photo book to show Beth's students. At the end of the class Beth and Peter gave the students bubbles and chalk to play with. The students were delighted, and Beth and Peter really enjoyed themselves as well!

Thank you Beth and Peter for giving your time to the students in Corral de Risco! What an amazing team!

Many volunteer opportunities available, please visit the www.peacemexico.org webiste for more information!

Amazing Journey Video

2009-11-25T11:46:00.002-08:00

This slideshow was created by Casa Comunidad Director Nikhol Esteras. It gives you a perfect experience of the daily happenings in and around PEACE. Lots of smiles and love!

PEACE Picture Party

2009-11-23T16:49:00.001-08:00

Smiling Happy faces today as the kids and teachers created photo collages! There were a total of about 200 pictures. Now, the pieces are up in Casa Campesina. If you'd like to send in any photos PEACE related, they can be included in the next PEACE Picture Party. Send any photos to: katherine@peacemexico.org

Launch of PEACE House Tours!

2009-11-20T12:13:00.000-08:00

Come join us and share in this new PEACE house tour program!

Founder of PEACE, Molly Fisher's Story

2009-11-20T11:35:00.001-08:00

Before coming to Mexico, PEACE founder Molly Fisher was a teacher at a high school in Colorado where about half of the students were Hispanic. In the hopes of becoming a better teacher, Molly visited Mexico in order to learn more about the country’s culture and language. However, she liked Mexico so much, she never left, and after teaching science at the American School of Puerto Vallarta, she founded PEACE in 2005.
When asked about what inspired PEACE, Molly answered, “Looking around, it just seemed like a lot of needs weren’t being met in different communities, and so I didn’t think that just an animal program or just an educational program would do the trick. PEACE is a way to really involve the entire community. If one part of the community is off-balance, then the entire community can be off-balance. It’s more holistic.”
PEACE is an incredibly ambitious organization. Its name is an acronym for Protection, Education, Animals, Culture, and Environment, and its mission is to “facilitate sustainable programs and nurture self-empowerment throughout Mexico by providing communities and individuals with tools to improve their quality of life.” PEACE does this through a number of programs.
The first program is Ayuda a los Animales, or “Help the Animals.” It is a mobile animal clinic that travels to a different town in the area each week and offers four-day veterinary clinics with free spaying and neutering. Help the Animals travels to about thirty towns per year.
Casa Comunidad is the educational program, and probably PEACE’s largest. It’s a daily after-school program from 3-5 PM. PEACE worked with local schools and teachers to develop the curriculum, which is project-based and features a different theme centered around ecology, health, or journalism each bimester.
Another program is Orgullo en la Comunidad, or “Community Pride.” This is the environmental aspect of PEACE. Its work includes recycling projects, compost projects, and beach and arroyo cleanups, all of which are done in conjunction with local leaders, businesses, schools, and students.
Fourth is Manos Unidas por la Mujer (“United Hands for Women”). This program teaches local women how to make and sell Mexican handicrafts and folk art using recycled and donated materials. Its effects are numerous – the women make some extra money, their confidence and self-esteem grow, and some even start their own businesses.
Since PEACE’s work is so extensive, there are countless opportunities to volunteer. Reading with kindergarten students, working at an animal clinic or recycling project, and building a park are just a few examples of what can be done. Some volunteers even work outside of Mexico, doing jobs such as translating documents, searching for grants, and holding PEACE parties in their homes to sell products made by the women of United Hands.
Of course, PEACE also appreciates donations. Money donations can be either unrestricted or earmarked for a specific program. As far as materials, the organization is always looking for food, clothing, computers, vehicles, fabric and cloth, newspapers, magazines, and beads. For more information about volunteering or donations, please visit PEACE’s website.
At the end of our interview, we asked Molly about her favorite memories from PEACE. This is what she said: “There are so many every day. Like seeing the woman [from United Hands] that literally was unable to work before this opportunity and [now she] buys the medicine for her kid. To see that whole change happening [is] amazing. With the animal program, you always get people that walk miles to bring their animals in. It’s inspirational when you see people that really do care. With the educational program, there’s the child that is nine years old and never went to school and he finally learns his vowels. On the donor side, being able to connect donors into the community, being able to take them around and show them how their donations are being spent and seeing their eyes sparkle and light up… they’re more part of the community and they can see the impact of their goodwill.”

Check out these pictures of some happenings around PEACE

2009-11-20T10:09:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Slideshow of the first Destination: PEACE Retreat!

2009-11-20T10:08:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Garden Time!!!!

2009-11-20T10:06:00.001-08:00

Students in the after school program in Emiliano Zapata are constructing a garden at their school and are learning, through hands-on experience, how to create a garden and take care of plants. We are looking for plant donations, please contact Nikhol at Nikhol@peacemexico.com if you can donate plants. Thank you! PEACE.

PEACE Events, come have some fun with PEACE!

2009-11-19T08:17:00.000-08:00

upcoming PEACE events

PEACE Breakfast
Next Tuesday, November 24th at 9:30 a.m. Jalisco at El CORAL RESTAURANT in Coral de Risco. Come learn about PEACE projects being carried out in the Bahia and beyond. Breakfast can be ordered from the menu for less than 90 pesos. PEACE Breakfasts will be held monthly through April. Contact Emily L'Hoist for more information: Emily@peacemexico.org.

PEACE Real Home Tour
PEACE's first Real Home Tour kicks off on Friday, November 27th, at 10:30 a.m. Jalisco. Tickets are $35 USD will be sold in the Bucerias Plaza before the tour from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Jalisco. The Real Home Tour leaves from the Bucerias Plaza at 10:30 am and returns at 2:30 pm. Contact YaVette for more information: Tours@peacemexico.org.

PEACE Open House
Come learn about PEACE programs and meet the PEACE team! We are holding an open house at Casa Campesina in Emiliano Zapata on Friday, December 4th, from 6pm-7pm Jalisco. There will be live music from Los Tikiliches from 7 pm-10 pm Jalisco in the plaza. Come enjoy delicious food, live music, awesome raffle prizes and great conversation! No cover. Food and drink tickets will be for sale for 20 pesos. Food and drinks range from 1-3 tickets. Hope to see you there! Contact Monica Martin for more information: Monica@peacemexico.org.

PEACE Pet Picnic
All canines and their human companions are invited to the Fourth Annual Pet Picnic at Daiquiri Dick's Restaurant. This year's event will be a howling good time on Saturday, December 5, 2009 starting at 11 am on the restaurant's patio overlooking Los Muertos Beach in Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy a gourmet, boxed lunch and there will be a special doggie bag for your pal. There's going to be a raffle with all kinds of great gifts. Tickets are $225 pesos in advance and $275 at the door. You can purchase them at Daiquiri Dick's Restaurant or The Deli.

Art & Philanthropy Boutique Sale
Give A Gift That Gives! Come join us for cocktails & Christmas shopping on Tuesday, December 22nd, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. WHERE: PEACE Boutique in El Anclote, at the entrance to El Coral restaurant. Contact Emily L'Hoist for more information:Emily@peacemexico.org.