take a break

In the midst of their “extra” activities the girls continue to work hard to get their homework done and also find some time just to play.

Oh the Drama

So many fun things coming in to these girls lives 

The girls had theater and English activities facilitated by visiting groups from Ohio State and Gannon University.

it's a good thing, volunteers and crafts

There are many people that make Nueva Vida a success. Not the least of whom are the Staff.  

These ladies truly love these girls.

But of equal importance are the volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and hearts to helping improve these girls lives and future outlooks.

Much to the delight of the girls, volunteers Diane, Judith, Pauline,  and a visiting group from Franklin, PA, provided many opportunities to do creative crafts during the last six months.

Valentine’s Day was celebrated with a visiting group from Franklin, PA.

personal development skills

Beginning in January, each week one of the girls gives a presentation about her life to the other girls and the staff in order to build community as well as presentation and listening skills.

To add to the girls education, and thinking outside the box

we've begun discussions, the first centered around the question “Should there be zoos?” and took a field trip to the Centenario.  We plan to visit Animaya before the end of the school year.

the girls find their Passion

During the month of January Estancia Nueva Vida received Passion Foundation – Global Sorority whose purpose is to delivering leadership training.  This connection occurred from the interest that Brian Archimedes MD and his wife Deyanira Mendoza MD (both Canadian volunteers at Estancia Nueva Vida) have in connecting people or organizations that can work together for a common goal.

What is Passion Foundation?  Passion Foundation is a Canadian non-profit organization led by Loretta Cella (founder) who together with Tia Kelly (co-founder) have created an initiative called GLOBAL SORORITY which has the great vision of providing girls around the globe with leadership skills and connecting those girls to share experiences.   http://www.passionfoundation.org/,http://www.globalsorority.com/

While the Canadian non-profit organization members were here they delivered together with Patricia (Nueva Vida Director) and Deyanira MD (Nueva Vida Volunteer, and now representative of Passion Foundation – Global Sorority in Mexico) fourteen hours of leadership training concluding with the development of four different projects that the girls will carry out over the course of 3 months.

The development of these projects has several objectives, the main one to help these girls learn skills that they can use for the rest of their lives: anything from presentation skills to project management skills and of course to think ahead to the future. One purpose also is to raise funds so they can donate them for a good cause and in this way connect with their community. In general all the projects will conclude in the project event at the beginning of July where the girls will: sell used clothes and provide basic beauty services, they will also sell piggy banks that they have made, as well as collect some piggy banks that will be placed in some locations for people to donate money and provide the community with materials and guidance, they will also show how to make crafts with recyclable materials in exchange of a donation.

Here are some fotos of the girls in their training

Deyanira and Patricia helped facilitate and translate the training and  continue working with these girls to sustain the development of leadership, teamwork, and project management skills.

The wrap up for the leadership training was a lovely lunch provided by 100% Natural restaurant

Cari and Marilyn returned for a visit

In January Cari and Marilyn returned for a visit with the girls, and the staff at Nueva Vida.  Cari and Marilyn were Directors at Nueva Vida for 15 years.  Marilyn was the founder of the Nueva Vida project.

Even though Cari and Marilyn have both retired they maintain a strong tie to Nueva Vida and visit as often as possible.

An exciting volunteer experience opportunity for the supporters of Nueva Vida

An exciting opportunity 

for the supporters of Nueva Vida 

now that the snowbirds have flown home there are three open (without teachers) slots for teaching English at Nueva Vida  from April 28 until the end of the school year.  

They are:

*Mondays 3:30-4:20: 2nd and 3rd graders
*Tuesdays 4:40-5:30 5th and 6th graders
*Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 1st and 2nd graders

They could also could use an arts and crafts teacher on Mondays from 2:30-3:30 for 4th and 5th graders.

if you can help out please contact Patricia   pjpipkin@me.com  

or cel (999) 903 5297