Help kids to overcome educational lag in Mexico!

Saludos, Hello,

The children are returning to their formal academic schooling. We don't break for the summer. This summer was an exceptionally hot one, so some of our outdoor sports activities were changed around a bit to avoid the heat. One of the kids favorite activity is, attempting the Slackline. Volunteer Ethan started doing this when it was so warm. It is very popular. (see picture below)

We are now sorting back to school supplies donated by two 5th grade classes from Walnut Creek California. This is the 2nd time we have been able to outfit the kids with some of the many things on their back to school list. It is a huge help to the parents and the children are proud to be prepared.  (Picture below)

Tutoring continued and will continue through out the new school year. We have received  great feedback from the kids formal school  teachers when they see an improvement. Our attendance has increased, yet our groups are smaller than in their formal school, they receive more one on one attention. ( picture of our younger kids)

Recently we had to disoccupy the space we were using for most of our indoor workshops, and are temporarily in another space until we can finish the community center building. Our mission continues regardless. We are fortunate to have the support and understanding from the community we serve as we transition to OjalaNinos own property.

Our mission is to continue providing services and resources benefitting the children and their families in the community of San Miguel Viejo. We appreciate your interest and support. 

Be Well

Betty Lopez  

Hello

After the pandemic we observed that some of the children were more easily distracted, a little more anxious and sometimes clingy. Now in post pandemic we have established better connections with the parents, working together keeping them well informed of their childs doubts or fears. We also have created more adult workshops. Consistency is so important!

Being an afterschool program our attendance can vary daily. For example, a death in a family is a loss for the whole community. The whole community attends the memorial. Our doors remain open. During a pilgrimage when half the population makes a sacred journey, our doors remain open. Rain or shine, we are open. By providing a safe and supportive environment we help in academic development, promote physical health and reduce risky behaviors to mention a few things but importantly, we create a sense of belonging.

In a small community such as San Miguel Viejo, your neighbors well being, is your well being. We thank you. With your support we continue moving forward. 

Sincerely

Betty Lopez

Hello Friends,

Looking ahead and also reflecting back, we appreciate that, the academic life of a student is often filled with challenges and difficulties. We strive at Ojala Ninos to improve the extra curricular education to the children of San Miguel Viejo, in central Mexico.

While we improve our own standards, we expect more accountability amongst our kids. We encourage more parent involvement, which has increased along with our new adult workshops. We often have mother's working in one area and children learning or creating in another. 

We offer many classes.  As attendance increases, each child is finding his/her "niche".  In December 475 children attended workshops and classes in tutoring, music, dance, English, art,as well as participated in soccer or gardening.

The community has at their disposal the use of computers and printer to help with homework and as a social service to the community. Learning is not just about grades but also about well-being.

What is social well-being?

"an end state in which basic human needs are met and people are able to coexist peacefully in communities with opportunities for advancement". It is a sense of belonging while valuing diversity, becoming engaged with other people in your community.

With much gratitude we appreciate your continued support as we continue to serve and build our community Center.

We wish you all a happy, healthy 2023

Sincerely

Betty Lopez

Greetings Everyone,

Even before the pandemic, our children's health and mental health was a concern. Worries about sickness, finances, lack of education and isolation, were all part of the parents and our concern.  We worked to remain in contact with the families all the while improving our program. Over the past few months, as we return to a new normal we have worked to establish better connections between parents and our program. We have weekly routines, the kids know what to expect. We now have tutoring  5 days a week.

Our psycologist has met with each of our children and their mother or guardian to make them aware of the resources Ojala-Ninos has to offer, as well as facilitate workshops in Social Emotional learning. 

Mexico celebrates Independence during September! That is what we strive to help our children achieve. Independence! We provide opportunities. We want them to be curious, self motivated, become critical thinkers, manage their time and be accountable.

In the state of Guanajuato where we are located, we have the second highest amount of people seeking immigration to the United States. Most families have at least one family member who sought a better life in the United States. We want to provide the children with skills and tools they need to make a life here without the need or feeling of desperation.

With your support we offer free afterschool tutoring, english clases and workshops, lunch and now a safe well- lit space for the kids to come use our resouces such as computers and printer for their formal clases and projects. 

Eternally Grateful

Betty Lopez, Ojala-Ninos and the community of San Miguel Viejo

Hello,

We are so excited and happy to be back in person with our kids!

Studies have shown over the past two years that remote learning had a negative impact not only on childrens academic achievement but the childrens social, emotional and mental well-being as well. The shift to remote learning in our small community was full of educational inequities.  

For almost two years we managed to stay in touch with our community by distributing at home activity kits. This kept us in touch but did little to help the kids with the lag in their normal education. We are happy to say the children are back in school full time and at Ojala-Ninos we are back in person guiding workshops.

English, Dance, Music and Singing are among a few. We have formed a soccer team which teaches sportsmanship, team work, strategy and technique. Futbol (soccer) is the national sport in Mexico so its only fitting we have a team. We have two energetic volunteers who come once a week with the kids.

Tutoring classes are two days a week with very committed teacher, Diana. Tutors play an important role  in the learning process and often can offer the individual attention a child might not get at school. We are very lucky to have Diana on our team at Ojala. We plan to start working with a psychologist and educator to enhance the educational part of our program.

Next week we are starting a painting class, facilitated by a board member/artist and hope to create a 2023 Calendar. We have a sewing workshop and of course, what started it all, Recycled Art , in staying ecologically friendly.

 We appreciate your continued support

Please Be Well

Sincerely

Betty Lopez