By Judy King

Each day when I awake I know I have one more day to make a difference in someone's life — James Mann

It's astonishing how very little it takes to create an entirely different future for a Lakeside child. Every town and village has children who are economically unable to attend even the years of grade school that are required by Mexican law.

Free Public Education

Mexico promises free public education for all children. Unfortunately that phrase "free education" has a very different meaning here than what we understand, based on our north of the border experiences.

The federal government of Mexico provides school buildings and pays teachers' salaries. The state tax base provides school books and some of the buildings' equipment. Upkeep, furnishings and equipment for the schools are usually left to the local community. This means that classrooms are generally ill equipped, painted by work crews of parents who provide both materials and labor and decorated at the individual teacher's expense. Few local classrooms have maps, pencil sharpeners, bulletin boards or other simple items that are so standard in our schoolroom memories that we find it hard to imagine a classroom without them.

All students pay annual inscription fees to attend public school in Mexico and also must purchase all their own workbooks and school supplies. The vast majority of public school students wear specific uniforms to class. While these uniforms are not absolutely required, we discovered at a very personal level that the children who are not appropriately dressed are often the focus of teasing, jokes and bullying by other students.

He who gives when he is asked has waited too long. — Sunshine Magazine

The Bullied Neighborhood Kids

Last spring a friend overheard the distressing sound of a child sobbing outside her home. As she investigated she discovered Roberto and Alicia (children who live near her house) were outside, Alicia in tears after being taunted by the children who live down the street. Several other kids on the block were making these less fortunate children's lives miserable because Roberto and Alicia had outgrown or worn out their school uniforms and the clothes they were wearing to school were worn and soiled.

My friend recognized that Roberto and Alicia's parents were doing the best they could—their father is a hard-working gardener and their mother suffers from a heart condition that prevents her from working, and sometimes doesn't even allow her to do the housework or child care she would like. The children are bright, good natured and have delightful personalities, but were so unhappy from treatment they were receiving that their school performance and attendance were being affected.

Eager to improve the situation, not just for the moment, but in a way that will help ensure Roberto and Alicia's continuing education, she reached into her own pocket , then reached out to area friends and finally emailed those folks who have visited here, asking them to commit to helping change these beautiful children's lives.

With the funds she received from her local group, she started on her mission—to give these neighborhood children the self confidence and pride they need to succeed in school.

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. — Dr. Seuss

What Does it Cost to Outfit a Child?

In interviews this month with the coordinators of many of the local groups that help with school costs for individual children, we were told that the following are average costs for the school fees, uniforms, books and materials for various levels of education:

• $130 U.S. for a Primeria (grade school) child
• $200 U.S. for a student in Secondaria (middle school)
• $600 U.S. for a Prepa student (High School)

What expenses does that $130 U.S.per year for the little ones cover? Take a look at the basic costs that my friend encountered as she outfitted her neighborhood grade school children:

Item:	Replacement Schedule:	Average Cost: (In U.S. Dollars)
Boy's Black Oxford Shoes	2 pair per year	$20-30
Girl's Black Mary Janes	2 pair per year	$10-20
White tennis shoes	2 pair per year	$15-30
Boy's pants	1 pair per year	$9-12
Girl's skirt	1 per year	$6-8
Knee socks	3 pair per year	$1-2 each
Polo shirts or camp shirts	3 per year	$3-8 each
Sweater	1 per year	$6-18
Sweat suit	1 for two years	$18-35
Back pack	1 for two years	$9-30
School supplies	Every year	$35-50

Note: This list does not include the annual inscription fee or book fee or the various small fees during the year for art and crafts projects, field trips or other extras.

Bill Friend, president of Niños de Chapala and Ajijic, commented on these costs, saying, "We only give the kids in our program half of these amounts, and then we expect the families to come up with the rest. In addition we give the parents of each child $10 a month. Whether the family spends that on juice or beans or shoes is up to them, but we recognize that at those economic levels even that extra $100 pesos a month makes a big difference.

"As the children move from one school to another, their expenses increase dramatically—they are required to have more materials, more different school uniform pieces. In Secondaria they have to have a portable typewriter, a better calculator and other special equipment. In high school they need even more. By the time our kids are in college we give them the equivalent of $1,000 U.S. per year. That only covers bus fees so that they can commute from home or it will about pay their costs to share an apartment in the city. They are responsible for the rest of their expenses.

The Hardworking Volunteer Groups That Are Educating Children

There is no way of tallying up all the kids who are in school due to the kindness and generosity of the foreign residents of Lake Chapala. It might be possible to add up the kids that are being helped by the following groups, but there is no way to know how many Lakeside residents are quietly also helping to educate the children of their neighbors, their maids, and other bright and deserving young people they've met here.

"It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little—do what you can." — Sydney Smith

It's easy for you to help a lot, or just a little, to do what you can. Here is a list of local volunteer organizations and groups that raise money each year to help defray school expenses for local students. You can help keep these kids in school.

Educational Support Groups

Family Development Agency (DIF)

In mid-September three experienced Lake Chapala fundraisers (Donna Carnall, Betty Prentki and Aurora Michel) banded together to appeal for community assistance. Each fall a Mexican organization, the Family Development Agency (DIF), hands out uniforms, shoes and school supplies to a large group of needy area children. This year DIF had far more kids on their waiting list than funds to provide the needed items. The municipal government of Chapala provided funding for 37 of the children and then Donna Carnall's group (see information below) took up part of the slack, outfitting 65 more. At the time of the September 15 appeal published in the Guadalajara Reporter, DIF still had about 80 children on their waiting list. By September 29, reports from these women indicate that the newspaper appeal raised about $1200 US, enough for another 12 children, but more are still waiting for help.

Contact: Betty Prentki
Telephone: (376) 766-4292
Email: bprentki@yahoo.com

Carnall's Kids

Donna started a grass roots effort to create educational scholarships for local kids through the professional group in which she was active during her career, The Texas Association of Health Underwriters. Through monies mostly raised during North of the Border trips, there are 60 Carnall's Kids receiving a good education that will change their lives.

Contact: Donna Carnall
Telephone: (376) 766-2520
Email: carnall2@prodigy.net.mx

Guadalajara DAR Chapter Sponsorship Program

Each year the Guadalajara Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter raises enough money to continue scholarships so that local excellent students can continue their education through secondary school, preparatoria (high school) and beyond. This year 35 students are in school thanks to this group.

Contact: Flo Michaloski
Telephone: (376) 765-2862
Email: darmxusa@prodigy.net.mx

DAR Thomas Paine Chapter (Lakeside)

Women living at Lake Chapala whose ancestors go back to soldiers who served in the Revolutionary War of the United States meet with a series of projects, including scholarships for excellent Lakeside students.

Contact: Sandra Loridans
Telephone: (376) 762-0834
Email: sotouch@laguna.com.mx

E.R.I.C.

This committee was organized at the time of the construction of Lakeside's new tech school and preparatoria (high school). They continue to provide support for the construction and renovation of educational buildings at Lakeside.

Contact: Stewart McGowan
Telephone: (376) 766-0800
Email: tsmcc@prodigy.net.mx

Golden Strings

Dozens of Lakeside's children have learned to play music on the free musical instruments they have received from the Golden Strings. This year there are 24 students receiving Golden Strings scholarships.

Contact: Marvin Harthcock
Telephone: (376) 763-5093
Email: kenzie@laguna.com.mx

LCS Student Aid Fund

This program is a subdivision of the Lake Chapala Society, providing financial support to area students to enroll in university, vocational and high school programs. Over 100 students are benefiting from this program this year.

To donate funds, arrange a bequest or to assist in supporting a student, please Email: studentaid@lakechapalasociety.org

Contact: Coralie White
Telephone: (376) 766-0716
Email: edwincoralie@prodigy.net.mx

Little Blue Schoolhouse

This tiny special program really consists of the efforts of one couple and their friends and provides financial assistance for the handful of special students attending a school for disabled children in Chapala.

Contact: Robert and Bonnie Kleffel
Telephone: (376) 766-1552
Email: bkleffel@hotmail.com

Niños de Chapala & Ajijic A.C.

Recently reorganized, this group solicits sponsors and raises funds to provide the financial support for the educational, nutritional and social development of local area children. Sponsors can select and be matched with a local child, building a personal relationship as well. There are 260 local children who are receiving scholarships this year. Each child receives half of expected fees, costs and expenses, with family members making up the remainder. The group has opened an office this year in a storefront at #30 Ocampo in Ajijic.

Contact: Alejandro Calvario or Bill Friend
Telephone: (376) 766-1688 or (376) 765-5454
Email: Alejandro.Calvario@lakesideninos.org or bill@lakesideninos.org

Rotary Club of Ajijic

The local bilingual and bicultural affiliate of the international service club performs community service projects, including a recent drive to provide lifesaving vests for area fishermen and wheelchairs to the immobile, gives assistance to local children's educational needs, and sponsors solidarity through the group's lunchtime speaker meetings.

Contact: Wendy Lyons
Telephone: (376) 766-3067
Email: wendylyonscan@hotmail.com

San Andrés English Mass Outreach Program

Fund-raising activities and donations by the members of the English-speaking Mass creates a framework for projects that benefit 1,000s of Lakeside residents each month. The group is currently providing scholarships for four grade school children, two high schoolers and transportation assistance to seminary students.

Contact: Trish Conners
Telephone: (376) 766-5233
Email: christmasinmexico@hotmail.com

St. Andrew's Outreach Program

Fund-raising activities (home tours, bazaars, and raffles) by this charitable arm of the Lakeside Anglican Church parish provide financial support to selected area charities, most of which benefit local children and their education. This group has provided scholarships for 25 students this year.

Contact: Jona Steed
Telephone: (376) 765-7704
Email: rjsteed@laguna.com.mx

University and Vocational Assistance

There are deserving students who can not attend university or vocational programs on their own. They just don't have the financial support. That's where this group comes into play.

Contact: Lynn Hanson
Telephone: (376) 766-2660
Email: dhanson@yahoo.com@yahoo.com

In the end it's hard to tell who gained most from this help, and this education—the children, their families, or the donors who feel a glimmer of pride each time they see one of their former students, now grown up and working in a local business or achieving while pursuing higher educational levels.

Often we set out to make a difference in the lives of others only to discover we have made a difference in our own. — Ellie Braun-Haley, author of A Little Door, A Little Light