ARCHIVES: LOS AMIGOS - INITIATIVES FOR 2009
Introduction
The recently elected Executive has recommended that the focus of Los Amigos de la Peņita change from advocacy to project activity. Los Amigos will be involved in projects - that provide broad benefit to the community,
- involve a high degree of citizen participation
- and provide visibility to Los Amigos
. Los Amigos will work with other organizations to achieve these objectives.
Concluding A Successful Year and Planning for Another
The March 30, 2009 meeting of Los Amigos de la Peņita proved to be a great opportunity for the group to celebrate the successes it had achieved over the last year and to approve a budget and action plan for the year ahead.
Last March, our plastics recyling program, to be delivered entirely through through the schools, was still in the planning stages. We now have all fourteen schools in La Peņita and La Colonia - and almost 4000 students - involved in the program. In January, we hosted a reception to honour the school Directors and thank them for helping to get the program off the ground. We also expanded the program by establishing a network of public drop-off locations.
The upcoming year will see another giant leap forward. Los Amigos is taking over the collection and compacting of the recyclables and will be establishing a facility to do so in La Peņita . We will be expanding our coverage area to include Guayabitos and Los Ayala over the next month or so. Our goal is to have sufficient volume to cover the ongoing expenses for the program by the end of the year.
At this time last year, the EcoPark was an overgrown field filled with rocks. Now it has come alive with the sound of children playing. Los Amigos provided financial support, as well as manpower, in helping the community clean up and further develop the park. We were pleased to work in cooperation with the merchants who contributed supplies, the Delegaciķn, the newly founded Rotary Club and the many dedicated neighbours who pitched in.
Just this week, Hector Lopez Santiago, Compostela Municipal President officially inaugurated the Unidad Recreativa y Deportiva (Sports Recreational Center) at the Eco Park. Initial plans include building covered stands, washrooms, a small stage, a barrier between the park and the highway, as well as fencing the entire park. There will be a second phase on the other side of the highway, connected by a pedestrian overpass.
Our newly formed Education Committee has established a number of priorities for the upcoming year. Money has been has been set aside for an art and essay contest and a project has already been put in place to support English Teachers in the schools. The majority of the funding for the Committee, however, will go to support building and maintenance projects. The Committee had solicited proposals from all schools in La Peņita and La Colonia and prioritized the six proposals received as follows:
- ˇ J. Cruz Bautista Primaria - leveling the schoolyard and building a bathroom
- ˇ Miguel Hildago Kinder - building a shelter for the play area
- ˇ Patria Kinder - commencing construction of a new school
- ˇ Memorias de 68 Telesecondaria - construction of a perimeter wall
- ˇ Lazaros Cardenas del Rio Primaria - building a sidewalk and stairs
- ˇ Juan Escutia Primaris - repairing washrooms
In addition to the funding which Los Amigos is providing, some funds have already collected by the schools parents and local merchants are donating material and labour. Other funding sources and fundraising efforts will be required to make all of these projects a reality.
The Clean-up Committee made "Clean La Peņita Beach Campaign" their priority project for the past year and organized two highly successful clean-up days. More than 150 people showed up for the first one on January 24 and a second clean-up day in March drew a smaller but enthusiastic crowd. Specific plans for next year call for installing a chain to prevent parking on the beach and the ordering of a banner for Semana Santa welcoming people to La Peņita and encouraging them to keep the community clean. As well, a number of clean-up days are also planned.
A Scholarship Fund was approved and applications are currently being reviewed. Los Amigos intends on providing full-year scholarships to six needy high-school aged students in April.
Los Amigos is pleased to work with other partners in the community. Last year, we were able to provide a one-time grant to Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue to help them undertake the valuable work they do. This year, the Jaltemba Bay Foundation has agreed to work with us, using some of the proceeds from the Fashion Show, to help move ahead with some of our education projects.
Learn More About our Initiatives
About La Peņita | About Los Amigos | Initiatives | Fundraising | News and Events
| 
