Activities
Self Esteem Program – “Alas”
Liga MAC offers 3 basic programs, educational, medical, and basic needs, but the programs are not unrelated. Many of the families helped with basic needs or medical aid, for example, also have children in the educational program. One of Liga MAC’s educational programs, Alas, was developed as the result of a visit to Liga MAC’s Centro de Apoyo in Zacatal on Despensa day (basic needs program). A pregnant and single 15 year old who was already the mother of an 18 month old arrived asking for food vouchers and clothing. Unfortunately, her story was not a singular one and Liga MAC recognized that food and clothing were not the solutions to the problem of teenage pregnancy and a life of poverty. Instead, a program of awareness and esteem building was designed for girls ages 12 to 15.
The new program was named “Alas” in March 2006 by its facilitator, local bi-lingual business woman Elva Haro. Elva chose the Spanish word meaning “wings” because it was her hope that the newly created program would help the dreams of young girls take flight. Each year since then Elva and Alas have been offering a 4 week program for girls enrolled in the Liga MAC education program, Adelante Con la Educacion.
The Saturday morning sessions vary in location and content from year to year but generally deal with the topics of educational options, occupational options, sexual awareness, and esteem building. Elva, together with Liga MAC volunteers, have helped facilitate field trips to local hotels such as Coral Baja and Crowne Plaza, and retailers like Costco where staff explain their positions with their respective companies, their educational requirements and opportunities. The girls have enjoyed presentations by a marine biologist; trips to the local Organic Market to learn about environmental issues; and facials courtesy of local Mary Kay Director, Alicia Escobedo. The sensitive topics of sexual awareness, pregnancy prevention, the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, and abuse have been dealt with by local female gynecologists, Dra. Elena Valderrain and Dra. Sofia López and more recently by Montessori high school director from Mexico City, Hedy Villaseñor. Typically, the final Saturday morning session is a fun and challenging event which has included, visits to local resorts and restaurants and sailing trips around Cabo San Lucas harbour aboard the sailing ship Talofa where the girls are asked to perform crew jobs.
Although one seldom knows exactly the impact of a particular event on any individual, we have received questionnaire results that offer insight. We have learned that the sexuality seminars have in some cases been their only discussion on the topic; that some girls could not attend sessions because they had to work/babysit to help the family; that some had never been on the water; that some had never considered their own worth and now valued interpersonal connections; and that many felt they could not continue their education due to family finances. Through Alas and ACE, Liga MAC hopes to open to the door to the possibilities that exist for young girls in Mexico and to help facilitate their dreams.
English Classes
Begun in the fall of 2006, the popularity of Liga MAC’s ESL classes has grown each year exponentially. Two retired Canadian school teachers and Liga MAC members, Linda Briggs and Vivian Weldon, began the experimental class with limited resources and teachers. But “if you build it, they will come” certainly applied in this case. As the word went out, the popularity of the class grew as did the number of teachers and the supply of books and materials.
In an area where the main resource is tourists and those tourists speak English, it is no co-incidence that many students majoring in tourism and hotel industry related programs want to learn English. English classes are also offered in local high schools but classes are limited. Students realize that learning a second language, especially English, can open many educational and career doors so they seize the opportunity to work on their English with native speakers.
Liga MAC ESL classes are offered to Prepa (high school) students in the ACE program. Classes are offered Saturday mornings throughout the year at Liga MAC’s Centro de Apoyo. The ESL teachers note that conducting the classes is a very rewarding activity and that the students are hardworking and very receptive.
