EEESMA celebrates its 10 Year Anniversary of service to children and young adults who are Deaf in San Miguel and surrounding rural communities. There is good reason to celebrate! Families far and wide now turn to EEESMA to ensure their children receive special education in Mexican Sign Language so that they may have the opportunity to learn and grow in life. The school's enrollment and service area expands each year but still many families struggle to get their children to school every day.
Currently there are 16 students who are Deaf of various ages residing in areas surrounding San Miguel de Allende and travelling daily to EEESMA. Many children rise at 5:30am each school day to catch the one bus at 6:30am. If this bus is missed, the child is unable to attend school that day. Some days the public bus doesn't arrive on schedule or just doesn't arrive. Many families must walk a long distance just to get to the bus stop. For a deaf child attending school, consistency is crucial.
The time has come for EEESMA to acquire and operate a passenger van to bring students to and from school. This will remove many obstacles families encounter to ensure their children attend school each day. One being that when taking public transportation young children must be accompanied by a family member. This project will ensure that many children will have a secure ride to school in a safe vehicle accompanied by a responsible adult allowing the family to attend to other important tasks.
EEESMA is happy to announce that a passenger van has been funded with a grant! Operational costs must now be funded. A budget of $10,000/yr +/- for 3 yrs = $30,000 to cover gasoline, maintenance, insurance and a driver. Bringing 16 deaf children to school to learn sign language on a consistant basis will be life changing for them. They will have the opportunity to graduate from high school, learn valuable job skills and eventually enter the work place. A dream never before imagined by them!
