violet's travels: January 2009

Saturday, January 31, 2009

it has been about 5 years since my grandson trenyn and i first met jose and lupe. they are neighbors of our friend pocholo (jorge). the brother and sister became fast friends with trenyn and we visited them at their home whenever we came to isla mujeres. it didnt take long to realize that the gifts that we gave them ment very little compared to the gift of education. their home is less than a block from the enlish teaching school called la gloria. this school has a great history and story itself, check it out! so we paid for the 2 to go to school and learn english. here o9n this island there is a big tourist trade and if a local can speak english it makes them very employable. without english, like their parents, the jobs are very limited and low pay. we were able to make it to the island often enough to keep their classes going although i heard very little english from them (i have come to learn that they are just shy about speaking and their english is quite good!). now i havent been to the island in a few years and have felt bad about letting their classes slip. (on this trip i have discovered how i can continue to finace their classes even when i am away) i was so suprised by how much they have grown and how beautiful they are! their mother, mary, is very sick though and that is a worry.
the school is part of their community and i am very happy that i can help. if you are ever coming to cancun or isla mujeres the school here can always use school and office supplies and helpers too! they can use money too and if you pay taxes in the USA it is a tax write off!
i am proud to be able to help this family and i will keep you posted!
violet