PEACE Punta de Mita: Empowerment through Education by Alexis Velasco
HOY SÍ, 2nd Year, Edition 15, June 2017
For many residents of Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay it could be a surprise that the popular town known as Punta de Mita, is made up of two semi-rural towns: New Corral del Risco and Emiliano Zapata. It is to say that the region is widely known to be a small tourist destination in Riviera Nayarit, yet little is said about the activities of its residents and the work that is done by certain associations to elevate the quality of life of those who make up the population.
Peace Punta de Mita is one of these organizations. Since 2013, its members have worked in educational programs with children, youths and local families, always with the vision of personal empowerment and development.
The creation of this non-profit foundation derived from financial support from foreign donors that reside in the tourist zone, however operations of the center are Mexican. Furthermore, many of them have lived in the communities for various years, making their commitment notable.
Cecilia Paredes, executive director of Peace Punta de Mita, received us at the community center to talk to us in more detail about Peace’s mission. “We are dedicated 100% to granting better lifestyle opportunities to those living in these communities”, she states.
The signature program of the foundation is the teaching of English and is carried out in different educational institutions from basic to higher levels in New Corral del Risco, Emiliano Zapata and Higuera Blanca (another close town that also receives the benefits of the initiative). Through the agreement with the Mexican Ministry of Education (SEP), teachers of Peace Punta de Mita conduct classes without cost to the more than 1,200 students over 10 different schools.
To make this possible, the participation of the directors of each school is important, who have close relationships with the Peace team.
María de Luz Andrate, director of the Federico Froebel Kindergarten in the Emiliano Zapata, highlights that the activity has provided an extracurricular subject, which could not have been given in classes. “In Mexico, there are few public institutions at this level that receive classes like these. Even though this is a preschool education level, our students already manage to achieve sentences and they feel motivated. The parents also very happy”, she says.
Another of the succeful programs of Peace Punta de Mita is the “Campeones”, in which the youths with high grades from secondary schools receive regular classes to improve their computer abilities (as a tool for learning) and to perfect their English. Likewise, to receive assistance generating a project that will be implemented in their community.
The first generation of youths that received this benefit managed the fundraising and creation for a bus stop for their community, while the second generation refurbished the installations of the kinder in Higuera Blanca.
Another support that several of the students with high levels in “Campeones” receive is the scholarship to study in Colegio Bucerias, one the best options in the Banderas Bay to continue bilingual studies and leadership.
“Over the years at Peace Punta de Mita, I have fortunately noticed an increase in youths loving their country and many want to contribute to the community”, mentioned Cecilia Paredes.
Furthermore, Peace Punta de Mita has a computer laboratory available for the entire community, where they conduct informative classes to secondary school students. Many students and youths utilize this area to conduct their homework also.
Personal development is also an area of importance for the association through the “Descúbrete” program, which offers youths and women to understand themselves and improve their self-esteem, giving confidence and forming healthy relationships in the community. Alejandra Ponce, director of Los Niños Héroes de Chapultepec (located in Emiliano Zapata) comments: “It is a great option for the youths to understand their emotions and learn how to make good decisions in certain moments of their lives. I myself have participated in the programs sessions and I too have rediscovered many aspects of myself.”
For the communities of Emiliano Zapata, New Corral del Risco and Higuera Blanca; the work done by the group of professionals at Peace Punta de Mita is invaluable and this is noted in the way that adults and children greet one another on the streets. At the same time as their educational focus, the organization also promotes values such as respect, commitment, self-worth and caring for the community.
Upon learning about the work from this kind of organization we would like to assist them yet do not know which way is best. It is thought that the best and most important way to support the foundation is financially with donations. However, Peace Punta de Mita invites everyone that would like to share successful stories about Peace or the community to contact us on through our website, social media or by telephone on (329)291-5157.
Additionally, the institution believes that to empower the local people, to live with them and listen to their testimonies is fundamental as it represents a fountain of inspiration
“Although at times we doubt, we all have moments of success. We are all winners in some way and we like to listen to those accounts”, finalized Cecilia Paredes, executive director of Peace Punta de Mita.
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