Posted on April 6th, 2024
 UPDATE – April 2024  AMISTAD CANADA welcomes first NGO Partner in Chiapas  AMISTAD CANADA is pleased to announce our Project Partnership with IXIM A.C. in the state of Chiapas. IXIM (a Mayan word for corn) works with indigenous tseltal communities in the rural communities San Miguel Canxanil, San Marcos Tulijá and San José Patwits to help residents develop the skills required to establish social enterprises that improve both individual and community health.  The Tseltal are the third-biggest indigenous group in Mexico, but are among the poorest in education and, as a result, income. Since 1996, IXIM has helped them through a six-year program that works with women to develop in three areas: • Strengthening health and mitigating environmental impact through workshops on topics such as hygiene, nutrition, disease prevention, vegetable gardening; monitoring & treating anemia among children, equipping homes with potable water systems and reforestation. • Improving organization by developing women’s leadership, communication and teamwork skills recognizing that that Tseltal women are traditionally houseworkers and caregivers with no voice in family or community decisions. • Fostering economic resilience by boosting group savings and collective entrepreneurship. The Amistad Canada–IXIM Healthier Lives for Tseltal People Project will focus on healthy hygiene and nutrition practices among about ninety families. Specifically, it aims to: a)- provide training in the cultivation of vegetables and monitoring crop use; b)- present workshops on hygiene and healthy eating habits using programs developed by the Universidad Ibero Puebla; c)- and monitor the health of minors through quarterly testing in order to detect, treat and follow up on cases of children’s anemia (photo below).  AC webpage: https://www.amistadcanada.org/our-partners/ixim/ Website: https://ixim.org.mx/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iximac We have a video! Muchas gracias to the talented team who produced Amistad Canada‘s first motion picture. So, pop some corn and fire up our new YouTube channel HERE. Wondering what our 16 Project Partners have been up to recently? Here are links to some of their recent newsletters, social media posts etc: EESMA School for the Deaf Caminos de Agua La Catalina Foundación La Biblioteca SMA Feed the Hungry SMA Jóvenes Adelante Mujeres en Cambio Opera San Miguel Patronato pro Niños Programa pro Niños Incapacitados Tepoz Rosa Un Nuevo Amanecer  COMING EVENTS:  Saturday, April 6, 10am-2pm: The monthly Heart to Heart Bazaar is run by a dedicated group of volunteers who select and sell largely high-end donated items in support Patronato Pro Niños. More information HERE. And, congratulations to Sunnie Collins and the Heart to Heart team on being given the ‘Sterling Dickinson Award’ for their work, more about that HERE.  Monday, April 8 at 10am: The General Assembly of La Biblioteca de SMA meets at Sala Quetzal. The Board of Directors invites everyone, but please confirm your attendance by email to: secretario@labibliotecapublica.org  -Monday, April 8, 10am-1pm: Solar Eclipse Bubbly Brunch in support of Programa pro Niños Incapacitados. 500 pesos per person includes safety glasses, a buffet, live & silent auctions and, as promised, glasses of bubbly. Limited tickets available HERE -Tuesday, April 23, 7pm: The Ajijic Cabaret Troupe presents Love Me Tender at El Bar Co. Tickets 600 pesos from: ajijic.cabaret@gmail.com -And, on Saturday, May 4, 3:30pm: A Kentucky Derby Party.  April 16 & 17, 10am-1pm : Mujeres en Cambio Annual Scholarship Distribution Ceremony at Instituto Allende. MeC supports 169 rural Mexican girls and young women from economically deprived families. Students, their families and supporters will gather at the ceremony to celebrate and share stories of life-changing opportunities. More info HERE. Saturday, April 20, 8:30-1oam: The second annual 2k walk in support of Niños con Autismo SMA (which Amistad Canada supports through Patronato pro Niños). From el jardin to Parque Zeferino. Donation of 400 pesos includes water and a T-shirt. Register HERE. SAVE THE DATE Amistad Canada’s Annual General Meeting will be held the late afternoon/early evening (depending where you are) of Tuesday June 25. To allow as many Members as possible to attend, it’ll take place on Zoom. Details will be emailed at least two weeks before the AGM. Anyone interested in becoming a Member (it’s free and allows you to vote at the AGM and stand for office) is asked to send a letter explaining your interest and a brief c.v. to: pauledmondsamistad@gmail.com  HELP WANTED La Biblioteca de SMA is recruiting a full-time paid fundraiser. Details HERE. As well, it’s looking for volunteers with library experience to join the Book Committee. There will be an introductory meeting after the main Annual Meeting on April 8. (see above). Feed the Hungry SMA is recruiting: • Volunteer Drivers to deliver food supplies to remote communities on Tuesday mornings throughout the school year. Contact Chip Swab at: drivercoordinator@feedthehungrysma.org • Volunteer Packers to sort, weigh, pack and label food shipments to be delivered to school kitchens. Morning and afternoon shifts every Monday throughout the school year. Contact Jonna Stratton at: jstratton@feedthehungrysma.org Jóvenes Adelante is looking for English speaking volunteers to provide extra practice for students in its English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Tutoring Program. More info HERE. The Academia de ProMusica is recruiting instructors to teach free string and woodwind classes to children ages 8 to 14 every Saturday at la Biblioteca SMA. If you know of, ideally, young Mexican musicians interested in teaching (for renumeration) contact Kathy at snodgrassna@hotmail.com or by WhatsApp, 415-100-8080.  Facebook  Instagram  Website Copyright © 2023 Amistad Canada, All rights reserved. You are receiving this UPDATE email as a supporter of AMISTAD CANADA. Amistad Canada 7 Highbourne Road TORONTO, Ontario M5P 2J1 Canada |
