Zihuatanejo, a fishing village in the southern Mexico state of Guerrero has become a prime tourist and snowbird destination over the past generation.
Local residents Joyce and Nelson Cote have made it their winter home over the past twenty-five years. Despite the advances economically that tourism has brought, there is still terrific poverty and lack of educational opportunity for the city’s youngsters.
A very active and amazingly successful organization, Por Los Ninos de Zihuatanejo A.C., has accomplished much to improve that situation.
Primarily through a weeklong event that is real genius (just as much enjoyment for the benefactors as for the beneficiaries) – Sailfest – moneys are raised to provide not only school lunches, uniforms, books and scholarships, but actual schools and additions to schools.
The most amazing accomplishment has been the building and operation of a high school!
This high school, Colegio de Bachilleres, is a unique school with a unique mandate: It is for students of exceptional ability, ambition and motivation many of whom had been forced to give up their education earlier due to one form of disadvantage or another.
It is no surprise for one to learn that the graduation rate for such a group of students is very high – over three quarters receive scholarships to university. The school also has a mandate towards higher science and math pursuits (other schools in Zihuatanejo focus on the local tourism opportunities in setting out their mandates). The science lab is exactly what has been needed.
During her time in Zihuatanejo, Joyce and Nelson were tireless workers at Sailfest, and, in particular, for Por Los Ninos.
Tragically, Joyce became morbidly ill and passed away last September. Joyce had expressed the wish that donations in her memory be made to Por Los Ninos. This wish was delivered to family and friends. The result was a fund of money accumulated and immediately used to build a long dreamed of science lab for the high school.
Named in Joyce's memory, the science lab was finished in no time, furnished and equipped with science laboratory and electrical devices.
Earlier this year, a dedication ceremony was held under the auspices of the Mayor of Zihuatanejo, honouring Joyce and thanking her through her husband Nelson.
The students responded with a flag-raising ceremony, music and a dance celebration.
Children and grandchildren of Nelson and Joyce attended the dedication. Celebrating, but nonetheless, all we Canadians in attendance were sad because Joyce could not be with us in person – although we know she was very much there in spirit.
An arrangement has been made through partnership with a Canadian registered charity, Amistad Canada to receive donations for Por Los Ninos de Zihuatanejo for which the donor will receive a Canadian tax receipt.
While Joyce’s legacy is momentous, the need is not over. Much needs to be done for these very poor children. Nelson is looking for used musical instruments to start a school band – anyone with an instrument gathering dust in your home can be sure it will be put to good use if entrusted to Nelson.
For more information, contact Rod Ferguson by email.
