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Project Amigo
Fall 2010 E-News |
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| Greetings! | | Greetings and best wishes from your friends in Colima, Mexico,
As you look forward to the first bite of autumn air, we look forward to huge spiders creating works of art among the leaves in our garden - the sign that tells us that our rains are about to end.
For the first time in five years, we've increased the number of students in our scholarship program by 10%. One hundred ten young people this year are working toward their common goal of creating a better life for themselves and their families through higher education and the pursuit of professional careers. When we asked some of the new students why they wanted to be part of Project Amigo's scholarship program, their answer was the same: "I know [Mireya/Noe/Norma Araceli/Sandra/ and the list goes on] and I want to be just like him/her. I can be somebody, too!"
Sharing those comments with our college graduates was emotional - they teared up on hearing that they had made such an important impact on children's lives, just by their own perseverance and success. They realized that their efforts are paying off, not only in their own lives, but also in the lives of young people who follow them and look up to them. They see that they are truly giving rise to a new consciousness. That they ARE the pioneers their villages have needed for so long. And they are inspired to be good role models to the kids who come after them.
Thank you for being part of this grand effort! Neither we nor they could do our work without you.
Please read on and reinforce your faith in what IS possible, and what you are helping to achieve. We need your help now, more than ever!
Ted and Susan |
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| Meet our Students |
Servando Vicente
When he was a 7th grader, and was new to Project Amigo's scholarship program, Ser attended his first dinner with our work week visitors at our headquarters in Cofradia. He was clearly nervous and uncomfortable surrounded by people he didn't know and who didn't speak his language. (Our goal in inviting our students to dinner during work weeks is to help them develop the confidence they'll need in a few years when they get to high school and beyond. Do you remember your first Public Speaking class and the difference between your first time in front of your peers and the last time?)
Ser is a bright student. He finished junior high school last year with a 9.8 grade average (out of 10), and was Number Two in his whole class! He's started high school this year. Ser reads vociferously, and wants to be a biologist or a doctor.
Back at that first dinner more than three years ago, he could hardly talk. There were other "more experienced" students in attendance that night, and we watched him carefully watching them. Someone asked Ser if he liked to sing and he nodded. Then they asked if he would LIKE to sing and he cowered away. Two months later, at another work week supper at Project Amigo's headquarters, Ser volunteered to stand and sing one of his favorite songs to the guests. He belted it out with amazing confidence. And that was just two months into his first year as a Project Amigo scholar!
Today, visitors meet a delightful young man. He's a serious student, but he smiles quickly and enjoys meeting the visitors he once feared. Thanks to all of you who have visited Project Amigo, met students like Ser, and helped them gain the confidence and skills they'll need to advance in life through your patience, your friendship and your encouragement.
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| Spanish Immersion | 
Spanish Immersion
"I learned more in the first week than I thought I would during the whole three-week course!" Tom Ellis, Painesville, OH
"Project Amigo's University scholars are incredible! It was a great experience to meet them, work with them, and converse with them. They were so dedicated to helping us learn not only their language, but about their traditions and what's important to them." Bev Ornelas, San Diego, CA
"I'm coming back next year, and bringing my wife and my accountant! This was GREAT!" Jim Quackenbush, Edmonds, WA
Thirteen students, ages 16 to 79, attended the 2010 Spanish Immersion Course in Cofradia de Suchitlan this past summer. They wandered the hills above rural villages, took the public bus to Colima, Comala and Nogueras, and walked across the Barranca of Suchitlan (Suchitlan Canyon) on a swinging bridge accompanied by their tutors (Project Amigo's University scholars). They watched our streets turn to rivers during torrential rains, and watched them return to normal within minutes of the rain stopping. Many of them spent a Saturday morning working in the migrant labor camp in Queseria, reading stories to children.
"It's fun to read to those little kids. Their level of Spanish is similar to mine and I felt at ease with them." Karen Powell, Centerville, UT. (The children of Queseria speak Spanish as a second language, after their mother tongue, Nahuatl, putting them on a similar footing as the Spanish Immersion students.)
Students spend a couple of hours a day in group grammar sessions with an experienced instructor, and then work one-on-one with their tutors reviewing the grammar lessons. After structured lessons, they go off on adventures with their tutors and put their skills to real practice "out in the world."
The Spanish Immersion Course is limited to 15 participants. Classes will be held again next year from July 11 to July 29, 2011. Download the brochure for travel and sign up details. Spanish Class |
| Note from a Board member |
 Why do I support Project Amigo?
Since we have been fortunate enough to have disposable income, my late husband and I have believed strongly in donating to varying organizations. The major part of our contributions for many years has gone to Project Amigo. Why? It is because of the organization. Ted and Susan have created such a well-organized program that it has inspired both staff and volunteers to help them make it an ongoing success.
Some years ago it was realized that there was a need to formalize Project Amigo. Now there is a Board of Directors that sees that its contributors' money is well spent and accounted for. In addition, through twice a year in-depth meetings, we are able to examine the philosophies and enactment of the program. Activities are limited to those that can be immediately supervised and that emphasize education.
Some ways you can help support the project are: direct contributions; sponsoring students; and participating on work weeks. In addition, you can make provision for a bequest to Project Amigo in your will.
Ted and Susan are the heart of Project Amigo, but we Board members feel we have formed the means by which the Project will endure after our time.
In the end, I feel that I am helping one part of the world change on a grand scale. I get an enormous "bang for my buck" when I support Project Amigo. I hope you will join me.
Thank you!
Joyce Palmer
Director
Novato, CA
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Project Amigo is a U.S. 501(c)(3) organization. Our Federal Tax ID # 68-0396073.
Project Amigo Society Canada has been approved. Our official number is pending.
Our mission is to enable the poor children of Colima to achieve their highest potential by providing educational opportunities, material support, enrichment activities, and medical and dental services not otherwise available to them. We provide scholarships to outstanding students who complete sixth grade so that they can attend junior high, high school and college at the University of Colima.
Our scholars are becoming doctors, lawyers, teachers and community leaders. When these students complete college and enter a profession they, and their whole family, break out of the cycle of poverty that has imprisoned them for generations. Our administrative costs are low, and the benefits to the children we serve are high. You can help Project Amigo by using your credit card and making a contribution on-line by clicking Donate -- or by sending your check to: Project Amigo 14 Commercial Blvd # 119 Novato, CA 94949 |
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