The sponsorship project to bring Deaf children and young adults to Escuela de Educación Especial de San Miguel de Allende continues its support by helping them attend school where the use of Mexican Sign Language provides them an education.
The last months of the 2018-19 school term were awash with both academically stimulating and sustainable vocational activities. We name but a few of them and the students who were most impacted.
Laura, Fernanda and Juanita, having recently graduated, continue in the “vocational transition program” learning how to apply enjoyable, yet valuable and practical skills learned in the sewing workshop to a work environment outside school. They are preparing themselves for future employment in the “real world”. A young fashion designer was contracted to give one-on-one instruction to the young women on how make such things as bomber jackets and embellished denim jackets; along with blouses and dresses of a more creative design. As a result of what they have achieved so far, the group of three were hired by a local dance school instructor to create tutu’s for her young dance students. Fabulous work chicas!
Jesús, Alfonso and Max have also moved on from middle school. Their work in the carpentry workshop has led them to some great achievements. Max focuses on building furniture for Casita Linda (a non-profit in San Miguel building homes for families with few resources). When the houses are complete he also forms part of the team that delivers the furniture to the families, thus giving him first hand interaction with the people who receive the furniture he builds. Jesús and Alfonso have received local recognition creating outstanding wooden cutting boards and other practical items, such as amazing artists’ easels for sale in the school’s store Deseñas and also in a several private businesses serving artists in San Miguel. You guys are doing great!
Gaby, José Luis and Rafa continue to amaze with their beautifully crafted silver jewelry. Their designs were showcased recently at the San Miguel Writer’s Conference, Fabrica Aurora Art Walk, and gatherings of The San Miguel Literary Sala. Sales of the jewelry help provide a small income to these aspiring young artists and also help make the school’s vocational workshops sustainable. We are all so proud!
On the academic side, a fun and educational field trip took place on the last day of school. Young students Jacobo, Dylan, Maricruz, along with many other fellow students, were joined by family members, teachers and staff to take part in a visit to the neighboring city of Silao to see the science museum and sea life aquarium. Not only were many valuable science lessons learned in an interactive and fun way but it was also a great way to kick off summer vacation!
The 2019-20 school term holds even greater hope, promise and excitement for those attending EEESMA and who happen to be Deaf. The director and teachers have recently completed additional training, helping to build and develop their existing skills and several new children have enrolled for the new fall term. Attending EEESMA will be their best chance in attaining a meaningful education. It will also allow them to become part of an accepting and supportive Deaf community. Please join us in welcoming them and bringing them into the EEESMA fold by making your donation today.
Many more activities can be seen by following the school on Facebook @EEESanMiguelAllende
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Many young people take high school graduation for granted. What could be more normal? Attend classes, complete assignments, and before you know it you are on to the next exciting chapter in your young life. It’s not quite that easy if you are a young woman living in Mexico, especially one who just happens to be deaf.
Three young women at Escuela de Educación Especial de San Miguel de Allende challenged all obstacles in their path, attaining their life dream of graduating from high school in spite of their deafness. It took each of them much longer than most to reach this point; much longer than should have been necessary. Unfortunately they come from a place where their formative years consisted of languishing in public school, virtually untaught, because the teachers had no sign language. But with the help of tutors hired at the school, one who is deaf himself, all worked diligently over the past three years to achieve this educational success, to graduate high school. This is a huge milestone for them personally. Also one that their families’ never thought possible and are now especially proud.
We are reminded that, even in this day and age, many young women around the world are not encouraged to pursue an education. To be even more precise, we know they are discouraged from such pursuits. To their families, often because of economic necessity or as a result of cultural or social customs, girls are considered to be more valuable either working or marrying at a young age. On top of this, there is an even greater challenge for a child born in a developing country and who is deaf. There is little special education provided by the state, therefore there are few places where sign language is available to communicate with the Deaf, let alone teach them. Escuela de Educación Especial de San Miguel de Allende is one of the few non-profit organizations in Mexico that has taken a lead in filling this exceptional need.
Carla, 37 years old, joined the school in 2014 as teacher’s assistant for preschool aged children. At that time Carla was helping her mother clean houses. She is proficient in Mexican Sign Language and eager to pass her special knowledge and skill on to others.
Azucena, 28 years old and Carla’s sister, attended EEESMA since doors opened in 2012. Bright, inquisitive and with a happy disposition, Azucena has always displayed strong leadership skills. She excelled in middle school and benefitted greatly from communicating with her older sister in sign language at a young age. She aspires to start her own baking business.
Laura, 20 years old, is quiet yet self assured. Intelligent and curious to learn new things, Laura’s strong subject is mathematics. Her dream, after graduation, is to pursue a career in sewing and fashion design, assisted by vocational training and work transition programs at the school.
There is a renewed sense of pride and accomplishment shared by all at EEESMA. Young ones at primary and middle school levels now have close knit role models to look up to and to emulate. They too can see first hand that their dreams of an education are within their grasp. The staff, teachers and director also join in a shared sense of achievement. All the hard work has indeed paid off!
Join us in congratulating Carla, Azucena and Laura in their graduation! Join us in wishing them all the best that life has to offer! And please consider joining us today by helping make education accessible to all children, regardless of their abilities, by sponsoring a deaf child to attend school in Mexico.
Links:
Many young people take high school graduation for granted. What could be more normal? Attend
classes, complete assignments, and before you know it you are on to the next exciting chapter in your
young life. It’s not quite that easy if you are a young woman living in Mexico; especially if you are one who just
happens to be deaf.
Three young women at Escuela de Educación Especial de San Miguel de Allende challenged all obstacles
in their path, attaining their life dream of graduating from high school in spite of their deafness. Celebrations took place in San Miguel de Allende in April 2019.
It may have taken each of them much longer than most to reach this point; much longer than should have been necessary. Unfortunately they come from a place where their formative years consisted of languishing in public school, virtually untaught, because the teachers had no sign language. But with the help of tutors hired
at the school, one who is deaf himself, all worked diligently over the past three years to achieve this
educational success, to graduate high school. This is a huge milestone for them personally. Also one that their families’ never thought possible and are now especially proud.
We are reminded that, even in this day and age, many young women around the world are not
encouraged to pursue an education. To be even more precise, we know they are discouraged from such
pursuits. To their families, often because of economic necessity or as a result of cultural or social
customs, girls are considered to be more valuable either working or marrying at a young age. On top of
this, there is an even greater challenge for a child born in a developing country and who is deaf. There is
little special education provided by the state, therefore there are few places where sign language is
available to communicate with the Deaf, let alone teach them. Escuela de Educación Especial de San
Miguel de Allende is one of the few non-profit organizations in Mexico that has taken a lead in filling this
exceptional need.
Carla, 37 years old, joined the school in 2014 as Teacher’s Assistant for preschool aged children. At the time Carla was helping her mother clean houses. She is proficient in Mexican Sign Language and eager to
pass her special knowledge and skill on to others. Carla attended high school classes in the afternoon after work.
Azucena, 28 years old and Carla’s sister, has attended EEESMA since it opened its doors in 2012. Bright,
inquisitive and with a happy disposition, Azucena has always displayed strong leadership skills. She
excelled in middle school and benefitted greatly from communicating with her older sister in sign
language at a young age. She aspires to starting her own baking business.
Laura, 20 years old, is quiet yet self assured. Intelligent and curious to learn new things, Laura’s strong
subject is mathematics. Her dream, after graduation, is to pursue a career in sewing and fashion design,
assisted by vocational training and work transition programs at the school.
There is a renewed sense of pride and accomplishment shared by all at EEESMA. Young ones at primary
and middle school levels now have close-knit role models to look up to and to emulate. They too can see
first hand that their dreams of an education are within their grasp. The staff, teachers and director also
join in a shared sense of achievement. All the hard work has indeed paid off!
Join us in congratulating Carla, Azucena and Laura in their graduation! Join us in wishing them the
best that life has to offer! We know they can accomplish anything they set their mind to! And please consider joining us today by helping make education accessible to all children in San Miguel de Allende, regardless of their abilities, by sponsoring a deaf child to attend school in Mexico.
Links:
Mexico's National Day of the Deaf - November 28th
The Day That Is Truly Their Own
A special day to recognize and celebrate their Deafness. A day when young and old who are Deaf are honored. Those close to them, family and friends, come together to collectively celebrate the Deaf culture and share what that uniqueness means to each of them. There is gratitude for Mexican Sign Language, the history of Deafness in Mexico, the gathering of a diverse group of people who recognize their abilities, applaud their accomplishments, and celebrate their successes. A day when they have the opportunity to teach others, those that are hearing, what it means to them to be Deaf.
This wonderfully successful event, held at El Sindicato in San Miguel de Allende and attended by over 120 people, many coming from Mexico City and León, Gto., was totally planned by Directora Juaniz Garcia with the assistance of her teachers and staff. Great job Juaniz, your love and light shines through!
The children and young adults were in their element, loving every moment. We felt grateful to be a part of it all and to help celebrate each of them.
Directora Juaniz and Maestra Olga Provide Interpretation to Students and Others
Juaniz has made it her mission to bring the students out into the public forum to experience life outside the school walls, preparing them for an adulthood of self assurance and independence, without fear of judgement or negativity; no small task. She accomplished all this and more by encouraging the students to participate in many public events during the past few months through the demonstration of their language, Mexican Sign Language. Considering the smiles on so many faces, it was all positive.
The importance of Sign Language and what it means to a Deaf person to have someone to interpret Spanish to Mexican Sign Language is immeasurable to that person. Olga and Juaniz both took to the big stage on several occasions the past Holiday Season to be sure that the students, and others who are Deaf, understood the message being delivered. We all are very fortunate to have them at EEESMA and we want them to know how very much we appreciate them. Thank you ladies!
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