IFC December, 2001 Page 3

This school is one of two located in Puerto Vallarta for Down Syndrome and Learning Disabled children. Our club paid $42,700 pesos in labor costs matched by the City’s $49,000 peso payment for materials to completely renovate three washrooms. The project is complete. Jimmy Ellis and I attended the ribbon cutting along with City Officials.

A TeleSecundaria is a Jr. High School that uses TV programming (via satellite) to present it’s curriculum and to economize on books and staff. Our Canadian members are aware of this method for reaching rural and far-flung areas that might, otherwise, be neglected.

Well, to say that the conditions of the baños are unhealthy is an understatement. Students use a bucket, into which they scoop water from an outside trough, to flush the toilets. The Associacion de los Padres will provide the labor and the IFC will pay $25,000 pesos for materials to provide a water supply and install new fixtures. A first payment of $12,500 pesos was presented them last week.

The Primaria of Las Brisas is turning out to be our model project. Several years ago, the IFC built the washrooms, finished interior construction in four classrooms and paid for the sealing of the roof. New efforts are being directed towards getting a large culvert installed to fill in a large arroyo that cuts through what should be a playground area. The IFC will be in partnership with the city of Puerto Vallarta with this project. Our share will be $37,000 pesos to pay for the culverts.

We continue to pay, as committed in the Annual Budget, $4,000 pesos/month to Becas and $2,000 pesos/month to the Public Library.

With the return of Dick Dobbeck, the Classroom Projects will start in earnest in January. Dick is provided a $50,000 peso budget for teaching aids, classroom materials and physical needs such as fans, desks and blackboards.

Many thanks to our outgoing Chairman Jimmie Ellis. It’s well nigh impossible to recount Jim’s many contributions, innovativeness and caring qualities. Lots of luck with your other pursuits, Jimmie.

 

HOME TOURS Susan Austin Tel. 223-2794 Irma Willis Tel. 222-3298   We are in the midst of our busiest season and can use all the help we can get. Call Irma to volunteer 4 hours a week as a docent (Wednesday or Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), or Susan if you can volunteer your home or know of a possible house. The tours are going very well. Everyone loves them – even husbands dragged along—and it is our biggest fund raiser for all of our charities.

The calendar year end is approaching and the holiday festivities are in full swing--our unique city is blooming with the bright lights of the Christmas season reflecting the hopes and prayers for a new year of peace and harmony throughout the world.   Please, God, let it be so.