In June, we entered into an agreement whereby the Department of Education would provide the materials and the Club the labor, to complete two classroom shells at Special Education School Number 21. The work was completed in August at a cost to the Club of $121,000 pesos. The Director has recruited two special education teachers and that, with the two newly completed classrooms, will alleviate the classroom over crowding and provide space for more children.

In May 2003, the Club paid for the replacement of a small roof at a small day care center in Pitillal at a cost of $12,000 pesos. The center provides services to mentally handicapped children including physical therapy and kindergarten education. The building costs and worker’s salaries are paid for by the church and DIF supplies milk. This center allows the mothers of these children to work outside of the home, as there is no social program available that would help defray the additional costs of raising these children.

Also in May, the Club provided $20,500 pesos to the kindergarten in Caloso. We had previously provided funds to help pay for the labor to build a bodega and kitchen. The material was supplied by the Department of Education. This is generally a poor area of the city and most of the children have single mothers. The school has some 150 children attending and was in need of many repairs. The Club’s funds were used for finishing the kitchen and water piping as well as painting of the school and playground equipment.

We look forward to your return to Puerto Vallarta

Our Sympathy IFC member, Beata Seibold passed away on May 1st in Kirkland, WA. Our sympathies to her family and friends.

We have an exciting year planned and we hope all will participate! If anyone would like to serve on the Activities Committee, please email me at marianhansen2000@yahoo. com