Keep 53 children out of night clubs, Oaxaca Mexico

Hi All,
     It has been three months since our last progress report. I have been waiting to write you until future plans are set in stone, but now it looks like that might be a while.

     Right now I am staying at a friend's house in Oaxaca, México. I have been to visit Casa Hogar several times within the past week. It appears that everybody is doing well and that the kids are busy with many new activities including soccer, ballet classes and preparing for a small party/carnival they will hold at Casa Hogar.

     About a week ago I spoke with Coco (the founder of Casa Hogar Hijos de la Luna) about buying the land. I was excited to speak with her because during a recent phone call I thought she had told me that the land with the existing one-bedroom building would cost around $8,000. This was far less than I had been previously told and I was very happy because this meant that we would be able to purchase it while I was in Oaxaca in July. Unfortunately, it appears I had heard her wrongly and was very mistaken. During our most recent chat Coco explained to me the following:

1. The land they would like to buy is divided up into two parts with unique owners.
2. Piece #1 includes the one bedroom building and is 25x10 meters in dimension.
3. Piece #2 is also 25x10 meters in dimension but with no existing structures.
4. Both property owners are asking far too much for their land. The owner of piece #1 is asking for more or less $42,307 US dollars. The owner of piece #2 is asking for more or less $34,615 US dollars. 

     Coco says the pieces of property are very over priced, and they are (despite the fact that Oaxaca has one of the highest property values in all of Mexico). She let me know that another option is to buy a piece of land farther outside of the city where the property value is lower.

     This was frustrating news, but we must push on. Whatever happens is going to take time and patience.

     Now, for some good announcements. I will be leaving to attend Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota at the end of August. I predict that acclimating to my new environment and my studies will not leave me enough time to properly continue this project during the next year. Conveniently, my sister, Sophia Zaia, who will be a senior in high school, would like to take on the responsibility of project leader. She has my approval and complete support. Sophia is intelligent, hardworking and inspired. I know that I will be leaving my project in good hands. I have not yet officially passed the project on to her, but I will soon.

     During the coming year Sophia would like to work on grant writing. This is something I felt I should attempt, but never had the time to do so. I am delighted that she will be working on this because I feel it is the next step on our way to success. I am excited to see what she will be able to achieve.

     Another piece of good news is that Doña Coco was chosen by my class at the Austin Waldorf School to receive what is known as the Michael Award at the 2012 graduation. This is an award given to somebody who has used his or her will power to better humanity. I will honor Coco with the plaque within the coming week and will post pictures both on our GlobalGiving and Facebook pages.

     I will leave you with this for now. I hope you are all doing well. Thank you so much for all of your support. Please keep it coming and don't forget to tell your friends and family about this effort!

Warmly,
Ariana Zaia

Hi all!

If you read my last blog post at www.expandcasahogar.com, then you have already read this.

I have arrived back in Austin from Oaxaca, Mexico and it’s long overdue that I update everybody on Global Giving about Casa Hogar! I felt that they had progressed immensely since I had last seen them. The organization seemed to be better, and the children happier. It was wonderful getting to see all of the familiar faces as well as the many new faces. It’s was also getting to hear some of the success stories of the children who are no longer there. “Gordito” and his brother Adelo went with there mother to another city where she was able to open up a shoe shop and Yazmin and Azucena were adopted by a family member. It was sad for me not to see them there, but also wonderful to know that they are now able to have a steady home life and be with their families once again.  Now, as for Casa Hogar in general…

WHAT’S NEW:
1) Do you remember that one of Coco’s (the founder) dreams for the future of Casa Hogar was to provide basic education for the mothers? Well, they now have a haircutting class every Thursday giving them the opportunity to learn a trade that they can turn into a profession. 6 (out of 26) attend.

2) They have finished out the one-room house that stands on the land they are now renting but would like to buy which means they have a third bedroom for the children. Now, the older boys sleep here. There is a small bathroom with a toilet and sink for them to use.

3) A homework tent with desks where the teacher helps them with homework after they arrive from school.

WHAT’S THE SAME:

1) The plan. They still hope to buy the piece of land next to them and build a second house.

2) The problem. They are still unable to accommodate teens.

So, that’s it for now everybody! Keep up with us by liking our Expand Casa Hogar Facebook page if you haven’t already! If you don’t you might miss some pretty good stuff…if you are in the Austin area or are part of the Austin Waldorf community, don't miss my project presentation at the Austin Waldorf School on Friday April 13, 2012 at 8:30. After the presentation I will be auctioning off two wooden moons painted by the children along with photos of the children who painted them. Don't miss the opportunity to bid and/or hear all about the process of conducting and creating this non-profit project!

Sincerely and with gratitude,

Ariana Zaia