Mazatlan Mexico-Keyway story

Wheelchair Foundation Rolls into Mexico:
Rotarians, Guests, Family and Interactors Travel to Mazatlan Even the light drizzle that fell most of Friday, November 8, 2013 on the Mexican coastal city of Mazatlan could not dampen the spirit or quell the enthusiasm of 78 pre-­‐schoolers, teaching assistants and families who awaited the arrival of a couple bus loads of Rotarians. The group of 67 visitors from District 5150 were bringing goodwill and school supplies to their pallet school on the outskirts of the city. The pre-­‐schoolers were dressed in their Sunday finest—white outfits if they owned one—and the fact that the school’s floor is dirt, the walls were constructed from shipping pallets, and the roof was pitched by tree limbs and them covered with tar paper had no effect on these very eager children’s excitement. It grew to a fever pitch when they saw the first bus arrive. They and their families were emotionally overwhelmed as the school supplies were brought inside the primitive classroom. Such is the nature of life for the impoverished in this city of about 400,000 residents on the west coast of Mexico geographically adjacent the southern tip of Baja. The farther away from the city center and coastal region the poorer and less equipped these Mexican families are to provide for their children and themselves. The appreciation engendered from the recipients, young and old, would be motivation enough for any Rotarian to dig a little deeper, or spend a little more time assisting those many billions around the world who would cherish the reality of owning their very own pencil; or any other simple, basic necessity that would become their very own possession. Mazatlan Interactor and pre-­‐school instructor Gaby Topete Eng Goon is a clear example of the spunk it takes to make dreams come true. The youthful Gaby is one who is looked up to as an example of what can be achieved with education and perseverance. She is 16 years old. She is striving to get the school’s population to 200-­‐250. A lofty goal. The pre-­‐school philosophy is to develop these children’s social skills; to provide educational opportunities, which includes learning English; and to get funds through the government to build a permanent facility on the site of the existing temporary school. It’s interesting to observe this dichotomy of power when comparing these young children’s desire to gain their power through wisdom; and the lock-­‐down nature of the City. Armed soldiers riding in vehicles roam the streets in readiness to quell any misbehavior with the power of force. Intuitively, these children have developed a desire to seek their power through education. Rotarians providing books and school supplies are enabling these youngsters to get one step closer to that goal. It’s a humbling experience to be part of that reality. Another driving force in pushing this need to convert temporary pallet schools into permanent building’s with concrete floors and cinder-­‐block walls is the tremendous attention accorded the Rotary project by the local Mazatlan newspaper, El Debate. A subtle, obsequious juxtaposition exists between the media, Rotary and the government. Rotary, an apolitical international organization, is able to work in cooperation with affiliate Rotary clubs to jointly design and develop projects vital to areas where little else is being provided. The end goal is to make these new entities permanently sustainable and available to all the Mexican children who live in the surrounding area. When the pallet school’s student population stabilizes and then increases, the government ultimately becomes obligated to step in and fill the need by financing the construction of permanent schools. The Mexican government does not act swiftly to accommodate this crucial need, but the fact that some schools have gone from temporary to permanent are visible successes; and these victories serve as motivation for other’s whose children are located in temporary schools to keep pushing forward until a permanent facility is constructed. The newspaper editor’s conviction to fill the first few pages of the daily edition with photos and stories about another plentiful supply of wheelchair’s being brought and delivered to those in need; and Rotarians visit to some of the eight schools it has adopted BILL AND BETSY
KOEFOED, Terry Wilson and
Bob Gutgsell shop at Sam’s
Club for supplies before
heading off to the pre-school.
PRE-SCHOOLER’S
classroom is made of pallets
with a dirt floor.
FOSTER CITY PRESIDENT
Craig Courtin, Sue Kavinoky
who donated 85 boxes of books
and Interact member and preschool teacher Gaby Topete
Eng Goon accept appreciation
for their efforts and
contributions.
Dreams can come
true with
education and
perseverance.
over the years is worthy of mention because it brings much needed attention to the local residents who otherwise would not have a voice in the media. The 20-­‐foot high interlocking double doors at El Debate would indicate that it is not always simpatico between the government and the press. Sue Kavinoky, a retired Spanish teacher from Los Altos, had 85 boxes of text books she had collected over many years shipped down to this port city. Obviously fluent in Spanish, these pre-­‐schoolers were attentive in listening to Sue’s description of how thankful she was that these books would serve a very useful purpose. It was the teachers and parents who immediately realized that her generous donation was going to make a substantial difference in these children’s future as they travel on their road to acquiring knowledge. These textbooks will soon become invaluable to all the students that Rotary’s kindness has touched. Onward to a primary pallet school brought the same festive giddiness and a deep appreciation of how Rotary is making a huge difference in their lives. These eager students continue to acquire knowledge in a way that their parents would not have dreamed possible had it not been for an organization such as Rotary International, and Club’s that are making a valuable and noticeable impact around the planet. Owning one’s own single school supply is monumental to each of these children. Saturday, November 9, 2013 The following day was one of fascination and productivity. It was a warm and clear morning when the formal wheelchair distribution ceremony got under way at the downtown gymnasium. Prior to the arrival of Mazatlan Mayor Alexandro Osuna the group was busy un-­‐boxing, assembling and organizing the wheelchairs. Mayor Osuna spoke of the importance of altruistic endeavors such as Rotary’s Wheelchair Foundation; and how much the city of Mazatlan appreciated the group from Northern California‘s continuing efforts to bring wheelchairs and hope to those who would otherwise probably be immobilized throughout their lives. The event began with a lively wheelchair dance by six very talented wheelchair riders. It served to bring a festive air to the celebration, and it got the crowd excited about what lie ahead. But the dancers on wheels also may have served as a visual display to those who were non-­‐ambulatory and nervous about becoming an owner of a wheelchair that there were unlimited possibilities beyond basic mobility. It was evident at this juncture that Jon Grant, the maestro behind the visit who first had wheelchairs brought to Mazatlan over 13 years ago, easily navigates within the group. It was readily apparent that Jon has the unique ability to deal with the governmental factions which control so much of its surroundings, while moments later after the speeches were completed and the wheelchairs distributed, he served as the photographer, making sure that a photo of each and every wheelchair recipient was taken. The hundreds, now mobile, became a rolling cavalcade around the gymnasium and through the photography line. The earlier anxiety seemed to abate as the new owners sat contentedly in their own new wheelchair. Noemi Avram, a Foster City Rotarian since 2001, and is her Club’s immediate past president, served as the translator for all presenters who weren’t bilingual. Originally from Argentina, Noemi adeptly navigated between Spanish and English so that the speaker’s message could be understood by both the locals and the visitors. Grant has utilized the human resources in the Mazatlan Rotary clubs to their mutual benefit; and apparently has not let the other potential obstacles interfere with the continued Mexican project. Jon’s two primary Mazatlan connections in the genesis o f the on-­‐going endeavor are brothers Pepesan and Martin Sanchez Reynosa. They are in District 4150, and along with a number of other dedicated Rotary members, have partnered with District 5150 during this time span to form a galvanizing relationship of service that presumably will withstand the test of time and potential interference or disruptions. In Grant’s tenure of 13 years, more than 5,000 wheelchairs have been delivered and distributed to the residents of Mazatlan. Nearly $1.5 million has been spent overall on the LINDA AND JON GRANT
share a moment.
INTERACTORS were a vital
part of the wheelchair mission.
THE INFAMOUS OLLIE
groups up with the primary
school students who are still
housed in the pallet facility.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
STUDENTS enjoy the
attention, school supplies and
the candy that Rotarians
brought to their school.
More than 5,000
wheelchairs to
Mazatlan in 13
years.
wheelchairs; adopting schools and equipping these schools with a direct water supply; repairing roofs; installing air conditioners in one school; and building bathrooms with running water and toilets with flushing capability. Each year Rotarians always purchase a plentiful bounty of school supplies for all the children. And the candy they pass out is much enjoyed by all of the school children. It seems pure symmetry that Jon Grant, a 37-­‐year member of the Rotary Club of Foster City, who served as his Club’s President in 1978-­‐79, and District Governor in 1994-­‐95, is a grant writer non-­‐pariel. During the past 13 years Jon has written 101 Rotary Foundation (TRF) matching grants for wheelchairs. Eighteen of those matching grants have gone to Mexico; while the total funds generated for all 101 grants for wheelchairs is now at $8,175,000. It typically takes a great partnership to accomplish the maximum and it appears that Jon’s wife, Linda has filled that role more than capably, joining Jon during the past 13 years. Linda Grant joined Rotary in 2001, and she served as Foster City President in 2009-­‐
2010. Linda is not tall in stature but she is commanding in her leadership. She has that enviable knack for being demanding, thoughtful and productive all in the same breath. She had to prove that constantly as she “herded all 67 cats” from one venue to the next throughout the visit. The logistics needed to move so many in different vehicles each day, and even different forms of transportation throughout the day, was masterful and completely effective. Even the nightly visits to local restaurants by the entire group required a procession of open-­‐air cab rides as she and Jon orchestrated each night. If any Rotarians, family or friends who made the pilgrimage to Mazatlan missed an event it was not due to the Grant’s failure to lead them to it. They leave nothing to chance because the time is short and there is so much to see and do; and without this concise routing, much would not have been seen and accomplished without this efficiency. At the vortex of each individual activity were the Koefoeds: ubiquitous President Betsy; and her husband, the loquacious Bill, who is past 5150 District Governor and a current member of the Rotary Club of San Carlos. Also, at each location was the ever-­‐president Bob Gutgsell, who was either assembling a wheel chair, taking a photograph, unloading and delivering supplies, providing a helping hand to any and all who needed assistance, or all of the above simultaneously. This Rotarian trio are among the many who represent the face and resolve of Rotary as it travels the world providing health, hunger and humanity to the masses who graciously accept the helping hand provided to them. Rotary International (RI) can be proud that so many hard-­‐working professionals have taken their time and their resources to bring a small part of the world’s population to a more meaningful and healthy level of existence. A visit to two orphanages and a school for the blind was further illustration that those who made the trip to Mexico were indeed serving the needs of those who would otherwise be neglected by society at large, primarily, because there is never enough to go around and the less fortunate are always those on the periphery of assistance. For some of those hopeful individuals who had no ability to attend the wheelchair-­‐
distribution ceremony, Rotarians were later formed into smaller groups and sent out to these extremely-­‐impoverished areas to personally deliver and place these individuals into their own wheelchair. When 84-­‐year old Miguel was lifted into his chair it may have been the first time he genuinely smiled in a long time. It was apparent that his new mobility was going to be in a room no larger than 10’ x 15’, but for one who was completely bedridden without assistance there was a new-­‐found sparkle in his eyes that illuminated endless possibilities. The joy felt by all in the room as Miguel sat there was immeasurable. An unexpected highlight of this reporter’s visit was the almost-­‐serendipitous introduction and instant friendship with 13-­‐year old Ben Rubenstein as they were seated together on the van’s bench seat. The son of Lisa Rubenstein, a part of the North Hillsborough Group which has been affiliated with the Mazatlan wheelchair project for the past five or six years, Ben is stricken with cerebral palsy and confined to his own wheelchair. His courageous determination to make the visit, and then to be involved in WHAT CAN SIX adult
Rotarian goalies stop when the
Mazatlan team challenged the
goal? Answer: nothing.
PRESIDENT BETSY
KOEFOED presents Principal
Joaquin Vizcarra Brito with a
computer and a projector.
THE ROTARY GROUP
listens to instructions on how
to assemble and line up the
different-sized wheelchairs.
WELL-USED ROTARY
wheelcharis from a previous
visit were turned in for new
ones at the distribution center.
every aspect of it is an inspiration to all who had the good fortune to meet him. Possessing a sharp wit and a marvelous sense of humor, Ben easily integrated into the group and was part of it all. It would have been interesting to get inside the thinking of the Mexican people, especially those at the wheelchair celebration and distribution, to learn what they thought of this young American teenager. Did they understand how Ben did not let his disability limit him? Did they comprehend how his fortitude and his unwillingness to surrender to his disability enable him to literally move forward with each of his actions? Sunday, November 10, 2013 Another crowning achievement in Rotary’s academic mission in Mazatlan is the Predera Oranda elementary school. Once just a row of ramshackle pallet classrooms, the school is now located on a concrete foundation with cinderblocks walls and a sturdy roof overhead. The facility has two bathrooms with running water and an operational waste system. A concrete play yard with steel columns supports the completely-­‐covered, full-­‐sized basketball court with hoops at each end. The roof enables the children to play through the stifling summer heat, and during the tropical rains that annually inundate this coastal city. Principal Joaquin Vizcarra Brito enthusiastically accepted a measurable bounty of school supplies, computers and a project that would further elevate the students’ ability to reach a higher level of education and become more electronically linked to the outside world. On the adjacent soccer field was where it appeared that the continuing Rotarian efforts have had a positive impact. The Predera Panthers took on the older Rotary Interactors in a fast and furious soccer match that ended up Panthers 1, Interactors 0. It was not obvious, nor likely, that the Interactors let them win. These Mazatlan athletes may have found greater motivation when at half-­‐time they gathered around a box filled with trophies that would be presented to the winning team. Great sportsmanship was shared by all. Monday, November 11, 2013 Saying goodbye to fellow participants was sad but inevitable. And the culmination of an intense mission of this nature can be emotionally overwhelming when looked at from a world perspective. The immensity of those in need around this planet dwarfs the imagination when one stops to realize that Mazatlan is a town of less than a half million and there are over 7 billion inhabitants on the planet, the majority of whom are in a daily struggle to survive. To simplify the complexity of such an enigma Jon Grant told this reporter a story of two men who were walking down the beach awash with starfish that had come ashore with the receding tide. They were beached; exposed to the harsh afternoon sun; and would dry out and soon expire if they did not make it back to the water. Tne man started picking up starfish after starfish and tossing them back into the sea. But there are so many said the other man, how can what you are doing possibly make a difference? The first man then picked up another starfish and threw it back into the water. He looked at the other man and said: it will make a big difference to that starfish. Such is the mission of over 1.2 million Rotarians located in over 34,000 clubs in nearly 180 countries around the world. Each project—big or small—is making an impact. As one wise Rotarian was heard to say at one of the presentations: “All of us have an opportunity to make the world a better place; let’s start now.” As the 13th continuous year of the Wheelchair Foundation rolling into Mazatlan closes, a 14th year of deliveries looms on the horizon. The challenge to obtain grant funds starts all over. “RI has just rolled out a new grant model, one that will challenge and inspire us all to think bigger and to develop more ambitious projects that will have a more lasting impact,” wrote current RI President Ron D. Burton in a recent Rotarian magazine editorial. It remains to be seen how this change will affect the Mazatlan project; however, it would appear that since District 5150 has such a prolific grant writer in Jon Grant the clubs within the District should be confident that if they missed this visit, there is always next year. For this year’s travelers, it was a holistic journey that fed the heart and soul. (Story written by Terry P. Wilson and the photos provided by Bob Gutgsell) MIGUEL RECEIVES HIS
new wheelchair from Lisa and
Ben Rubenstein of
Hillsborough and Holly Wong
of Lowell High School in San
Francisco.
THE END LINE of the
Pradera school soccer field
serves as a back stop; and a
reminder of the previous
school before a permanet
structure was built.
PRADERA SCHOOL’S
playground with sturdy,
permanent roof allows
children to play year round.
ANOTHER CHAPTER
CLOSES on the Wheelchair
Foundation’s project in
Mazatlan.