Current Project:


First Step is currently looking for two volunteers to teach English in Ziquítaro Michoacán for the Winter semester (February – June 2010), the Fall semester (August – December 2010) or both. Volunteers will be teaching English classes to community members of all ages. Classes will take place both in the local public schools as well as in the town center. Volunteers are not required to have a teaching degree, although experience teaching is preferable. Basic Spanish proficiency is required. If you are interested in teaching these semesters or any semester in the future please email Rachel Miers at rachelmiers@gmail.com for more information and/or an application.





Current Fundraiser: Cookbook

Obtaining non-profit status is a slow process so in the meantime we are heading a few fundraising efforts in order to provide the volunteers with a living stipend as well as buy needed classroom materials. As part of a school project, some of English students worked together with Katherine Ferry and Rachel Wickland to compile a bilingual cookbook with some of their favorite recipes (about 15 in total). We are selling the book (which can be sent via email in PDF form) for $12 or I send you a hard copy for $16. All of the proceeds will go directly to the project in Mexico. If you would like to buy a cookbook you can email me your request at rachelmiers@gmail.com (note whether you would like the PDF or hard copy version). I will then give you the address to which you can send a check. Any extra donations are greatly appreciated! Thanks for your help and staying posted with the blog!

Town Profile

Location:
Ziquítaro is located in the central state of Michoacán, Mexico and is roughly one hour and a half driving distance from Michoacán’s capital - Morelia. Ziquítaro is considered a “rancheria” or ranch town as it is a small community which originally developed around a ranch. There is no official sign or paved off ramp for Ziquítaro just a dirt road turnoff on the side of the highway. Ziquítaro is located about 5 kilometers (three miles) away from the highway.

Commerce & Population:
With the exception of small family run convenience stores operated out of houses, Ziquítaro boasts no established commerce as employment opportunities are minimal. A majority of the town is dedicated to sustenance agricultural production. While many town members work in  the neighboring town six kilometers away, the majority choose to immigrate to the United States, their primary destinations being California and Texas. It is estimated that 2000- 3000 of the town's 4000 members are living and working in the US. Consequently, a large portion of family income is derived from remittances - the money sent from those working in the US. Due to this out-migration o Ziquítaro is inhabited primarily by women, children and the elderly.

Educational Opportunities:
Ziquítaro offers public schooling from kindergarten to junior high. The nearest high school is located a short bus ride away in a neighboring town. The junior high is a “tele-secundaria” literally translating to “TV junior high”.  This educational program, which began in 1968, was enacted as an attempt to bring enhanced educational opportunities to impoverished rural communities. The telesecundaria program uses minimal resources as lessons are imparted through televised lesson plans which are sent to the schools via satellite and shown to students with the guidance of a Procter. Junior high, and in many cases elementary school, is often the last formal education the town’s children receive as immigration becomes a viable and attractive possibility once a student turns 14.

Religion:
The majority of the town members are catholic thus allowing for the church to assume a central role in the community. The town’s priest, Manuel Vazquez Rubio, has been working in the community for two years and has enlivened the town with his religious sermons as well as his work and supportive presence in the community. Much activity and energy revolves around the town’s religious festivities which span from December to January. The importance of the festivities are reflected by the significant increase in town population; on average over 1000-1500 town members return from the US to visit family members and take part in the communal religious celebrations, causing the town’s population to nearly double.



Thursday, October 2, 2008

Second Entry from Volunteers (Rachel Wickland)

After the first week of classes everything is going great! We have only had Primaria (Elementary) and Secundaria (Jr. High) classes so far because it has been the week of Mexican Independence day. Independence Day in and of itself was fantastic. The patriotism of Mexico puts the United Sates to shame. The celebration is not just about fireworks and hot dogs, it is really about the passion and love for one´s culture and country. There were speeches, dance, LOTS OF DELICIOUS FOOD, cowboys, fireworks, gritos, and gunshots just like in the movies. It was definitely a highlight for the town as Ziquitaro does not get much action.

This week my Telesecundaria classes are writing letters to pen pals in the United States. I hope this will really help them with introductions and give them a peek into a day in the life of someone who lives in the United States. My intention is to show that we are not so different from one another. Regular school has only been in session twice this week due to a teacher´s union meeting in Morelia.

I am very excited about my teen group because contrary to last year, about half of the class is young men! I could not be happier about their attendance because it shows that they are interested in being an active participant in a world where they may in fact, be working in the future. The class is moving along very quickly and I am sure our progress will be great this year.

We have some wonderful people here in Ziquitaro who support us immensely. Our primary ¨go to¨ man is the priest in the town, Manuel Vasquez Rubio. He has been such a wonderful friend as well as a mentor to us. This weekend we went on a day trip with the Padre to Zamora, Mexico, a beautiful colonial town with a cathedral on every corner. It was great to have some rest and relaxation after two weeks of getting used to our lives here and trying to create some sort of order with our classes.

We are both very content here in Ziquitaro and love our living situation with the Mejia family. They are fantastic people who love to talk with us and have made us feel very welcome in their home. I am so positive that our time here will be mutually beneficial and a life changing experience for us and those we meet.
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