By Stephanie Ahlgrain | Manager of Fundraising and Alliances
It has now been exactly 7 months and 7 days since the devastating earthquake in Mexico that affected Mexico City, the State of Mexico, Morelos, and Puebla. While the country has not forgotten the tragedy and especially not the lives lost, for many, daily life has returned to some level of normalcy.
In this first trimester of the year, the Community Center in Tultitlán has continued providing academic support to children and adults. 45 children and 8 adults so far, to be exact. The space continues to open its doors to any and all community members that have a desire to reach an academic goal, whether it´s getting help on a topic learned at school, studying for a GRE-type exam, or learning to use a computer and programs like Microsoft Office. Since the earthquake, we´ve noticed more families feeling comfortable with the Center and the staff.
On April 21, 2018 we held our annual Mini-Olympics event, designed to provide a safe, fun, space for children who otherwise may not have many opportunities for sports or group activities. Around 120 children attended this activity, making it one of the biggest events to date. The attendance in this event shows us that the Community Center is becoming more known by the community and is a trusted space for community reunions. Without a doubt, there is a correlation between the increased attendance and the increased visibility the Center gained after the earthquake, when it was the only educational institution open immediately after the disaster.
In the next few months, we will continue working with the community through English classes, tutoring, reading groups, a summer course, backyard gardens and rain water filters. We are also very happy to welcome a new volunteer, Luis, who will be teaching computer workshops and tutoring children and youth in math at the Center on Saturday mornings. Luis is finishing his B.A. in Accounting at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and has a great gift for teaching and an inspiring spirit of service.
Thank you for accompanying us on this journey of community building in Tultitlán, State of Mexico! We´re very excited for the months of growth ahead and hope you are, too.
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