The Casita, where ICO's education and community programs are held, is a buzzing hive of activity. Yesenia, our lovely young teacher-coordinator, has worked really hard with the teachers in San Antonio's primary and junior high schools, and they are sending more and more of their students for assistance. In March there were 136 students who came for help in math, language and writing, as well as 16 students who came to read, and 568 users who came to do homework, to research, or to use computers, etc. It’s a lot for Yesenia and her part-time helper Lidya, so we’re really happy that Melina Castro, a University of Victoria (BC) sociology student, will be going for three months to San Antonio to do her co-op placement, starting in May. Melina is fluent in Spanish as well as English, and we're excited that she'll be bringing her skills and enthusiasm to San Antonio.
We're excited as well that our wonderful Mayan friends, Candelaria and her husband Gregorio, have started a new program — a weekly workshop for recent high school graduates who are looking for work, to train them in additional skills they will need: computer, a bit of English, writing resumes, where and how to look for work, etc. — something we have long wanted to do, because there’s a crying need for this type of support for young people.
And, as always, we're so glad to be able to support our lovely group of 25 Ancianas, frail, poor elderly women who come twice a week for a nourishing lunch, along with exercise and art activities. Here they are at Easter, receiving special Easter bread and goodies to take home with them.
We can only offer these programs because of the loyal support of our donors — ¡Muchas gracias!
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