aka, Wish List!
Buen Pastor is currently looking for funding to move forward with some wonderful projects listed below.
1. A Solar Energy System
Energy and gas bills for the 70 people who live at Buen Pastor are staggering. Buen Pastor could do much more if the madres weren't crippled by the energy bills.
UPDATE: Thanks to the Hilton Foundation, a solar water heating system was constructed in the Summer of 2010. It provides hot water for the girls and students living at Buen Pastor.
1. A Solar Energy System
Energy and gas bills for the 70 people who live at Buen Pastor are staggering. Buen Pastor could do much more if the madres weren't crippled by the energy bills.
UPDATE: Thanks to the Hilton Foundation, a solar water heating system was constructed in the Summer of 2010. It provides hot water for the girls and students living at Buen Pastor.
2. A Spanish picture book library to encourage literacy
Madre Lourdes, the Mother Superior at Buen Pastor, has recently started reading to the girls in the "internado" before bed. She says that she's noticing changes in their behavior. They're starting to incorporate the lessons they're learning from the books in their play with one another. Each night as Madre Lourdes begins reading, all the girls lay on their stomachs, heads in their hands, as they listen intently. They love it. We're hoping to increase the number of books available to the girls. Currently, there are three books.
UPDATE: Our little library has grown to over 100 volumes. Thanks to $300 from Ashland Rotary in Oregon, Juanita was able to buy many books and educational games at the International Book Fair in Guadalajara in December 2010.
Madre Lourdes, the Mother Superior at Buen Pastor, has recently started reading to the girls in the "internado" before bed. She says that she's noticing changes in their behavior. They're starting to incorporate the lessons they're learning from the books in their play with one another. Each night as Madre Lourdes begins reading, all the girls lay on their stomachs, heads in their hands, as they listen intently. They love it. We're hoping to increase the number of books available to the girls. Currently, there are three books.
UPDATE: Our little library has grown to over 100 volumes. Thanks to $300 from Ashland Rotary in Oregon, Juanita was able to buy many books and educational games at the International Book Fair in Guadalajara in December 2010.
3. Bodywork
Many of the girls and women at Buen Pastor have experienced violence and sexual abuse. Acupuncture and massage allow them to reconnect to their bodies and begin the healing process. Everyone has responded very well to the bodywork they have been receiving. Thus far, the acupuncturist and massage therapist—both accredited in the United States—have volunteered their time, equipment, and supplies. It would be wonderful to make their work sustainable by subsidizing their services.
UPDATE: Liscenced massage therapist, Juanita, was awarded a grant by Mary's Pence to provide "compassionate touch therapy" for the women and Madres during 2010.
Many of the girls and women at Buen Pastor have experienced violence and sexual abuse. Acupuncture and massage allow them to reconnect to their bodies and begin the healing process. Everyone has responded very well to the bodywork they have been receiving. Thus far, the acupuncturist and massage therapist—both accredited in the United States—have volunteered their time, equipment, and supplies. It would be wonderful to make their work sustainable by subsidizing their services.
UPDATE: Liscenced massage therapist, Juanita, was awarded a grant by Mary's Pence to provide "compassionate touch therapy" for the women and Madres during 2010.
4. English Lessons
In order to be competitive in today’s job market, Mexicans are learning English. The women and children at Buen Pastor have expressed interest in learning English, but currently, there are no funds to provide a teacher and lessons. The ability to speak English would surely pay off in helping the women and girls find work when they leave the convent.
UPDATE: English educational programs have been installed on the computers the girls use for homework.
In order to be competitive in today’s job market, Mexicans are learning English. The women and children at Buen Pastor have expressed interest in learning English, but currently, there are no funds to provide a teacher and lessons. The ability to speak English would surely pay off in helping the women and girls find work when they leave the convent.
UPDATE: English educational programs have been installed on the computers the girls use for homework.
5. Photography Program
In November of 2010, The Muskoka Foundation offered a one week photography class for five girls. He taught them photography basics and the girls took photographs of the City in the afternoons. The class culminated in two showings. It's our hope to continue this class and have volunteer photographers to come lead more workshops with other girls. We have the cameras!
In November of 2010, The Muskoka Foundation offered a one week photography class for five girls. He taught them photography basics and the girls took photographs of the City in the afternoons. The class culminated in two showings. It's our hope to continue this class and have volunteer photographers to come lead more workshops with other girls. We have the cameras!
6. Sex ed
Preventing teen pregnancies increases a girl's chance at success. Many of the girls that live at Buen Pastor are not exposed to sex education at all. The madres are interested in beginning a program for them which is absolutely progressive and wonderful.
UPDATE: Nurse Midwife Cynthia from Norwich, Vermont and volunteered at Buen Pastor in 2009. She offered the girls a health class which covers topics such as anatomy, menustration, drugs, violence, nutrition, exercise, sexuality, contraception, and relationships!
Preventing teen pregnancies increases a girl's chance at success. Many of the girls that live at Buen Pastor are not exposed to sex education at all. The madres are interested in beginning a program for them which is absolutely progressive and wonderful.
UPDATE: Nurse Midwife Cynthia from Norwich, Vermont and volunteered at Buen Pastor in 2009. She offered the girls a health class which covers topics such as anatomy, menustration, drugs, violence, nutrition, exercise, sexuality, contraception, and relationships!
7. Website
Juanita has constructed this website in both English and in Spanish, with Fernando's translating skills. PayPal is up and running and we've been receiving sponsorships for the girls!
UPDATE: We are looking for someone to help with blog updates. Juanita is in the process of training one of the girls to help with photos and Spanish updates.
Juanita has constructed this website in both English and in Spanish, with Fernando's translating skills. PayPal is up and running and we've been receiving sponsorships for the girls!
UPDATE: We are looking for someone to help with blog updates. Juanita is in the process of training one of the girls to help with photos and Spanish updates.
8. Learning Lab
As part of a literacy program, we are seeing funding for 20 computers. The women will use these computers to finish their primeria and secundaria requirements. We will install educational software for the girls. Our goal is a mixed-media learning environment where girls can work on their homework and also learn new applications. Lessons on popular software, like Word, will be taught to everyone, including the Madres. English language programs are also highly desired by everyone at Buen Pastor.
UPDATE: Fernando restored a dinosaur computer and equipped it with a harvested internet card. He also wired the room so the girls have a functioning computer with access to the internet! Using a Christmas 2009 donation, he added two more computers to the lab and equipped them with software. Thanks to a DoJiggy Giving Award, two more computers will be added in February 2010 which brings the lab up to 5 functioning computers!
As part of a literacy program, we are seeing funding for 20 computers. The women will use these computers to finish their primeria and secundaria requirements. We will install educational software for the girls. Our goal is a mixed-media learning environment where girls can work on their homework and also learn new applications. Lessons on popular software, like Word, will be taught to everyone, including the Madres. English language programs are also highly desired by everyone at Buen Pastor.
UPDATE: Fernando restored a dinosaur computer and equipped it with a harvested internet card. He also wired the room so the girls have a functioning computer with access to the internet! Using a Christmas 2009 donation, he added two more computers to the lab and equipped them with software. Thanks to a DoJiggy Giving Award, two more computers will be added in February 2010 which brings the lab up to 5 functioning computers!
