Helping  La Cruz children see a better future, follow their passions and succeed in many ways.

“Love begins by taking care of the closest ones – the ones at home.”

Mother Theresa.

Let me introduce you to some wonderful people who make a difference to children and their families in our tiny pueblo of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

Fiona Clark teaches at the primary school with help from her husband Dave. My role at school is purely volunteer, trying to inspire children in La Cruz to learn english to increase their chances of a better future. I also want them to know I am reliable and care for them… by turning up regularly and coming back year after year.

Children inspire Fiona; her mission is to open their eyes to a bigger (and hopefully better) world, “They can shape their own future!” She’s taught all ages from preschool to adults over her 46-year teaching career. She especially loves teaching the five to nine year old age group. When supporting ‘challenging’ children to achieve their dreams she inspires them to follow their passion. It’s easy to teach children who are ready and keen to learn, its more of a challenge to “turn around” children who for many reasons either are not ready to learn nor do they see the importance of learning. Bringing the world of nature, art and culture into the mundane subjects of learning to read and write inspires her. Early in her career she tossed aside the traditional “Dick and Jane“ type reading series and created a reading series based on local animals, dinosaurs, famous artists and settlers in Canada. These really were interesting to kids especially those with challenges; they wanted to learn to read!  Fiona told me “One little fella whose parents were from Eastern Europe INSISTED they to change planes in Paris on a trip one summer hoping to see relatives because he HAD TO go and visit Monet’s garden in Giverny. His parents were astonished that he remembered all the details he learned. He is now in his late teens and determined to be an artist. He also gave me one of his first drawings that I have framed in my kitchen in La Cruz.

Carmen Tapia is an educator, volunteering originally at the primary school and now at the Kids Club in La Cruz. She teaches her students a lot more than English or Spanish her mission is to teach them RESPECT for themselves first, and to others, and to the environment as well.

She told me “Children are the future citizens of this world. They need to be prepared to take better care of themselves and our planet as we have neglected both.“ She works with children from kinder to eighth grade both in Mexico and the USA. The greatest feeling’ she ever had working with the kids; “When you bring them up to par and they feel so empowered by their own improvements that they carry themselves in a very different way, very sure of themselves, even their character is transformed. You know in your heart that you have positively impacted their life forever.” One child wrote Carmen a letter that said “I come to school every day because you are here” She still has that note! Carmen says; “Children should not have to pay for adult mistakes. They are innocent.”

Jason Foster Barnes does so much for our community; I’m forever in awe of him and his wife Mayra (read about her below).

Jason works with children with the mission that they feed on new things to do with no inhibitions or prejudices; they will be the future generation on this planet. He says, “What is sown today is tomorrow’s harvest.” I won’t cover in this missive all that Jason does, I’ll focus on one of his passions, working with children to learn rugby, He says five to thirteen are the best ages to start training kids to play rugby. I’ve also worked with teenagers, which is also challenging and fun. He’s inspired by the smiles on their faces when they realize that everything can be achieved and knowing their own achievements. It’s great when they realize the achievements of others and how when combined they can reach a common goal. There’s a little girl in town who was at a past summer rugby camp and to this day when she sees me in the street she has a big smile on her face and yells RUGBY as a way of saying hello to me”. Jason with some help started rugby teams five years ago with boys Lagartos (crocodiles) and girls Aramaras (Goddess of the sea, a Huichol term) training together. Currently the clubs are going through a bit of a dry spot due to lack of time and funds. He says “we’re trying to break taboos that people have about the sport, so we’re recharging batteries and planning other strategies.”

Mayra Franco does much for our community, today I focus on her roll, as Coordinator at the Summer Camp. This year her daughter, Fiona, will be teaching art and recycling. She’s been taking art classes for two years at Tuna Ceramic School and has experience on that.

Myra has fun with the children believing there’s lots to learn from them; the way they solve problems and their easy way, always smiling and having fun with simple things. Mayra and her team work with children three to twelve years old. Her ‘greatest feeling’ working with children was “When I was working at the Kindergarten and years later in Colonia Los Mangos the children salute me saying “Hola maestra” and when with an adult they introduce me as their teacher. I always treat them with respect and listen to what they have to say.”

Barb Sihota; a teacher in Richmond BC who inspired her students to create heart artwork which she brought to La Cruz and brought here, hung on the classroom wall and then taught the kids here to create similar artwork for her to take back for the kids there. It was a LOVE and peace exchange.

Barb’s inspired to make a difference spreading joy. She told me “The kids inspire her, they make me laugh and bring joy. I have many proud Mumma moments such as the first time that true communication happens with a non-verbal and low functioning student happens!” Her ‘greatest feelings’ includes when a student says that we are “compatible“ or shares a hug and the ‘I love you’s’ and the ‘you’re beautiful and your teeth are like snowflakes’ and when kids that come back to the school to tell you about their life and how you helped them get through some hard times’, or when a child “gets it” and their faces light up! Those are the thank you moments! One of my favorite things I heard a student say was a twelve-year-old girl, “I love all the people in this class. I love them all in different ways, but I love them all!  There are loads of amazing young people out there. Just having the privilege of being a small part of their journey is rewarding enough.

Joe Scopazzo, a resident of La Cruz for eight years and a former soccer/futbol coach in Canada has started a futboI club for the primary school with 100 kids signed up! He enjoys spending time with children; watching them have fun and teaching them an activity is very rewarding. All kids young and old love to kick a ball around.  The children are typically ages seven to seventeen in youth and rep soccer. In La Cruz he’s starting with the seven to eleven year olds.

We reached out to others, requesting ‘whatever they could give’ to assist with Joe’s La Cruz futbol mission. A guest was arriving and we were overwhelmed with her contribution. Here’s Lauralee’s story:

The mountain of donations Lauralee brought from Portland for the La Cruz kids.

In early June I received a note from Cindy Bouchard of Villa Amor del Mar. Cindy said some folks in La Cruz were getting together to organize soccer teams for young boys and girls. She said the kids needed gear and asked if I had a source for donations.

My husband and I live in the small urban neighborhood of Sellwood in Portland. Oregon. It’s one of the oldest villages of Portland and is populated with families that love hiking, biking, water sports, craft beer, coffee, ice cream, and, especially, kids. Youth soccer is a big deal here.

When I got Cindy’s note, I posted her request on Nextdoor, a digital community network we can use to post messages to more than 1,500 neighbors with just one click. Within hours of posting, I received more than 20 pair of boots, several jerseys, shin guards, and even a ball. An 8-year-old boy who heard our request dug out his favorite jersey and said, “Mom, I think they will really like this one.” (I can’t wait to see this jersey on the soccer field in La Cruz!)

Since I’ve been visiting La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, it has affected me in a way that has made me feel a deep connection to this community. Like Sellwood, I am proud to be a part of it.

Lauralee with our housekeeper, Marta, who will assist in coaching the youth.

“Our children are our future and one of the basic responsibilities is to care for them in the best and most compassionate manner possible.”

Nelson Mandela