IFC January pg. 3

PATROCINIO REPORT
Susan Davalos R.N.
Tel: 044-322-111-5115
Email: pedroysusan@hotmail.com

A little holiday cheer...Just to let you know that the IFC will be paying for a brace for Lorenzo (I forgot his last name, right now). He has now been added on to Robin Bouchard's program-Arturo y los Hijos de Dios. Robin is providing transportation to the Clinica Santa Barbara. Clinica Santa Barbara is providing free therapy and do believe that with a lot of hard work he will walk again with the braces we will be buying him.

His story is heartbreaking and it is such a joy to be able to add to these families lives. He broke his back in a construction accident 2 years ago and his family of 4 have been living on his wife's paycheck of 1,800 pesos/month...150USD. Out of that they pay 1,000 pesos/mo goes to rent.

Robin will be taking him for other types of MD appointments which are crucial for the people who have spinal cord injuries. During the interview with this family, I was holding back the tears.
Robin said he would also provide 500pesos twice a month for the family to buy food and necessities. They have two tiny children and have such a remarkable attitude of hope and peace about them.

I want to thank all of you again for the hard work that you do and for the constant encouragement that you give to those of us out in the field (whether it is home tour field or surgical field). It takes all of us and all our special gifts to pull this club together year after year

EDUCATION REPORT
Mel Bornstein
Tel: 221 5659

It continually amazes me, that the Puerto Vallarta hierarchy is so willing to cooperate with this IFC committee in every way possible to improve the standards of education and provide more classrooms and materials to work with....

We work together as such a harmonious team, moving efficiently and rapidly during the terms of the Mayor, Gustavo Villasenor and Maestra, Lidia Sarocco, so as to accomplish so many educational feats during their remaining 2 year terms....

This committee is also working with schools in Bucerias and surrounding area, with the Mayor of Bucerias and also with the President of Bahia Banderas, that covers all that nearby northern area....

In all cases, these communities realize the great work the IFC is doing and they really appreciate our efforts and financial support and school materials....

There is a great need for much more supplies for the classrooms and monies to repair and refurbish these classrooms and especially the bathrooms.... Any contributions to the IFC for education will be sincerely appreciated and put to important use.....

Needed too are volunteers to work with the teachers helping them or teaching English.... male or female , no difference.... and also to generally help as some of the classrooms are so crowded, that one teacher is overworked.....

Your club is working now to create more classrooms and alleviate the crowded conditions and separate different age groups of children for better learning.... and so much more....

Will keep at it and keep you informed.....

Remember that nothing is too big or too small for our customers--they are always waiting with bated breath to get into the rush and the fun of this event.

Please find a spot to set aside your items for disposal and give us a call. (For those of you in the Marina area and beyond, we can direct you to a generous member who is willing to pick up if necessary and store items while he has the space.)

LET US HEAR FROM YOU! Many thanks for anything you direct our way (except anything that breaths).

Our Sympathy

Frank Moore, a well liked Docent for many years with the IFC Home Tours, died in May after a long illness at his home in Monterey County, CA. Frank was a retired high school teacher and counselor on the Monterey Peninsula.

A wonderful outpouring of friends celebrated his life on November 21, 2004 at his home on Hortencias in Puerto Vallarta. His family and friends came down to PV for the event. It was a lovely gathering.