Help kids to overcome educational lag in Mexico!

Greetings from Central Mexico,

The whole world is facing new norms. At Ojala ninos we have managed to continue with our after school program and workshops by facilitating smaller groups and using open air spaces. The children in the community of San Miguel Viejo still are only attending their formal academic classes two (2) days a week. Our afterschool programs along with our tutoring classes twice a week are helping our kids "overcome the educational lag" this pandemic has caused. 

We started out the new year with the traditional celebration here in Mexico of The Three Kings, Los Tres Reyes by distributing each child a new back pack! We served hot chocolate and the Rosca de Reyes brought smiles to everyone.

Wednesday's we continue distributing our at home activity kits. On average 50 children come to pick up their activity and lunch. Other days we offer Dance and Movement, Ballet, Music, Choir, English and very important, the tutoring. We have started a garden and soon hope to have a computer literacy class.

Follow us to see the progress made on our lot where we hope to have even more activities.

We are fortunate to be in an area with many foreigners who often volunteer their time and expertise. The kids are use to visitors and are happy to share their work and participate in new workshops. That's what we do at Ojala Ninos. We offer space, guidance and opportunity.

Our team of guides are dedicated to the well being and development of the community we serve. Thank you for your continued support of our efforts.

Sincerely

Betty Lopez

Hello

We are happy to report we were able to start providing small workshops again. From May 5th to August 25th of this year our attendance increased 23.4%

This does not surprise us as everyone was anxious to return to their normal and extracurricular activities. With your support we were ready with all the required signage and sanitary requirements and safety measures. We also have been able to provide a lunch on Wednesday's and a healthy snack following afternoon workshops the other 4 days.

One of the things we are very proud to have done, is finish the repair on our security and structural wall to the lot. Once that was done and we are able work in groups outside. The children with the help of local muralists painted a Mural on the outside of the wall.

The kids brainstormed the things that meant the most to them and that they wanted to represent. The Chapel in their community of San Miguel Viejo built in 1542. Their indigenous Indian tradition headress. A heart because we are in the heart of Mexico. Corn. Corn has been a staple of Mexico forever. The Parroquia in today's San Miguel Allende and a Monarch butterfly as we are in their migration path in the winter. The, kids, their parents, past alumni, and many volunteers made it a great community project.

Again Id like to mention the many volunteers that although are sometimes temporary are non the less a valuable asset to our program. We have a young dancer offering ballet classes during her extended stay here and we have a returning volunteer teaching the children chess.  This was a class we offered before and it is so great for critical thinking as well as fun! Most importantly we are offering tutoring classes in both primary and secundaria age kids. Most of our kids education was put on hold during Covid.

We continue to be forever grateful for your continued support and hope you'll follow our progress in this upcoming new year.

Stay well

Betty Lopez

Hello,

Already half way through 2021 and we are still waiting for a complete green light to reopen classes and work shops with our kids. Many students are either missing or have interuptions with virtual learning. It is very difficult in rural communities such as San Miguel Viejo.

We have been working hard to fill the requirements and regulations that the CDC K-12 Operational Strategy in the United States as well as what Mexican Authorities are recommending to reopen safely.

With your support we have created more open spaces to assure safe distancing. Staff has taken the classes required, installed proper signage and sanitation stations. We require correct use of facemasks at all times. Any member of our Ojala-Ninos team that works in direct contact with the children or their parents, will be required to be vaccinated.

One of the biggest changes will be that each child has to be provided with their own material. Workshops before had a collective of supplies and recycled material the kids were free to use. We have to be careful and approach this differently so we are hoping to provide each child with a "kit".  The kit will contain the basic, pencil, scissor, glue, paper, crayons etc. 

Although we are an after school learning program, our children thrived on our afternoon activities. Math tutoring, English lessons, Literacy, Social and Environmental  Awareness and the workshop where it all started, recycled art!

Throughout this difficult time, with your help we have distributed approximately 1,920 at home activity projects, with a lunch!This is how we have maintained contact with the community we serve and are forever grateful for the support.

Please stay stafe and follow us as we continue to offer opportunity to these young children.

Sincerely

Betty Lopez

Hello,

A year to date we still struggle to recover from Covid. Abiding by all the laws and safety measures we have managed to remain in contact with the children.  However brief, we continue to check on their welfare, keep the families informed of the changing restrictions, offer a snack and supply an activity to work on at home. It is bare minumum compared to the many classes and workshops and activities we once could offer and participate in.

We are seeing Covid consequences. Many families in San Miguel Viejo do not have internet. Some barely have electricity. Many kids are losing interest or just cant keep up in their school work. The lack of academic learning and  often the only socialization or contact with friends and outside opportunities, has affected, not just the children but the entire the community.

We decided to have an essay contest or a picture drawing contest, depending on the childs age to afford them an opportunity to talk about their experience during this pamdemic. You will see some examples below. They are very telling.

Social connections are important to happiness, health, and feeling connected to society. Lack of these connections and isolation can lead to depression, decreased self esteem, cognitive decline, substance abuse, just to name a few effects that can set in, early on. We are so grateful for your continued support. We are ready, we are anxious, the children are anxious. We are hopjng that  April 30th which is Dia Del Nino in Mexico, we can celebrate them the way they deserve to be recognized.

This year we continue with delivery of activities but also we will start using integrated and interactive learning processes, outdoor lessons with health and safety measures, to foster the life-skills needed to prepare the children and improve their critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, communication and creativity skills.

Ojala Niños is a place to learn;  space, materials, ideas and guidance inspire every child to find their joy and their purpose!

Please continue to be safe and kind. On behalf of all the Ojala team,  we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

Betty Lopez