PEACE RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS ACCREDITATIONS
The last three and a half years since PEACE Punta de Mita’s inception has seen the success of various programs and initiatives which have garnered recent prestigious certification and nation-wide acknowledgement. Recently, PEACE was presented with CLUNI (Clave Única de Inscripción) which allows PEACE to be active in public politics and access funding from the Federal Public Administration Department.
In addition, PEACE was granted with optimum certification from the CEMEFI, the Mexican Centre of Philanthropy, an important accreditation which reflects the institutional level of development of the organization. This reputable certification comprises of three levels and PEACE was granted with the highest level, noted as OPTIMUM. This accreditation places PEACE’s philanthropy work even more so within the public eye within Mexico.
PEACE Exec Director receives CEMEFI certification in Mexico City, Nov. 2016
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BY CARLA PLIEGO
WORKSHOPS FOR SEP TEACHERS
An intrinsic aspect for the success of the PEACE English Program is the healthy relationship between PEACE and SEP [Secretaria de Educacion Publica] staff. In order to achieve best results from the one thousand plus students who make up the PEACE English Program, it is important that PEACE and SEP teachers are working well together.
A unique action taken by PEACE is giving SEP teachers workshops that increase their aptitudes whilst situating them in line with training given to PEACE teachers, ensuring a cohesive methodology. These workshops are conducted by PEACE Psychologist Carla Pliego. These workshops focus on theories pertaining to a classroom management approach called “Discipline with Dignity”. Furthermore, PEACE’s workshops address a support group for parents and also issues related to self-regulation that give teachers abilities to deal with challenging situations such as bullying. To date, the workshops have been greeted with open arms from SEP staff and a unified approach regarding disciplinary action has been brought about.
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PEACE ENGLISH PROGRAM ONE YEAR ON
A few years ago during a town hall meeting, the local community expressed a strong necessity to learn English and sought out ways of receiving language classes that would benefit their lives, opening the door for better career opportunities. Following the Angels single teacher program, PEACE took on the project in 2014, starting with two hours a week for each class in the SEP public schools. In 2015, PEACE began regular daily classes totaling five hours per week.
The 2015/16 school year marked the first complete year with full time English classes. More about the English Program can be read here.
We spoke with Principal Lucy Andrade, who, with over twenty-two years working at the Emiliano Zapata Kindergarten, reflects upon the program and the impact it has had since going full-time.
How do you feel about the PEACE English Program after one year of full-time classes? What specific developments or changes have seen in your students over the last year?
For me it is fabulous because the students are learning practical English. They are learning how to use the language in a functional way, making sentences and having conversations which they can use in their daily lives. The students have a curiosity to learn a new language and are confident to speak, which is important as English will be useful for their futures because Punta de Mita is an important tourist area.
What is your perception of the community’s response to the PEACE English Program?
I have noticed a positive response from the community. To accommodate the English classes, the school hours were extended and parents have been responsible and motivated, with student attendance being very high. The parents hear their children speaking English and are happy they can communicate. The families are making the most of the opportunity, understanding it helps them economically, this is due to the fact that English classes are very expensive in the area.
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AVANZA PRIMARY KIDS REINTEGRATED
The AVANZA Program’s aim is to reintegrate wayward students back into the SEP public school system, providing a supportive learning environment that improves students study habits and social behavior skills. Recently, SEP implemented a new reform for public schools, making it mandatory for all students below the age of fourteen to attend school, regardless of circumstances. This positive amendment by SEP has meant that the AVANZA program needed to reassess its student enrollment. For the 2016/17 school year, nine students comprised AVANZA primary, and as these students were under the age of fourteen, PEACE complied with SEP’s new regulation by integrating these primary school students into the Corral del Risco Primary school. The nine students continue to start their day with PEACE, meeting with teacher Gabriel Castro, who later accompanies the students to the primary school, ensuring their transition is as smooth as possible.
Teacher Gabriel continues to lead the secondary kids. Eleven students comprise the secondary class and are advancing each day. Beyond their regular classes, the students are benefiting from extra initiatives such as the monthly interchange with the American School and excursions to the Instituto Nacional de Pesca (National Fisheries Institute) in La Cruz where the students will receive talks and hands on experience from marine biologists.
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GROUND BREAKING SUMMER CAMP
Summer Camp, 2016 broke new ground this year. The attendance of between 140-195 students daily was met with a cost of $10 pesos per day per attendee, prompting a stronger sense of self-sustainability as the campers shared more of the running costs in comparison to previous years.
This year saw continued support from our regular corporate donors such as the Four Seasons Punta Mita and St. Regis Punta Mita who each donated 1000 lunches for the participants. Coca-Cola generously supplied drinking water throughout the Camp’s two-week program, and furthermore supplied shading tents for outdoor activities and the Camp's closing ceremony, along with tables and chairs. Once more, Fundación Punta de Mita gave PEACE permission to use the sports recreational area for the closing ceremony.
While this year’s camp saw regular activities such as dancing, sports and story-telling, the introduction of new classes such as Muay Thai and Capoiera gave a fresh feel to the Camp’s agenda, motivating and exciting everyone involved.
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100% FOR LOCAL PUNTA DE MITA AREA
2016 PLEDGE FOR PEACE CAMPAIGN
The goal again this year is to raise USD $450,000. PEACE directors are asking donors to consider a 1, 2, or 3-year annual pledge in one of the following donor categories:
Patron US$20,000 plus
Benefactor US$15,000-$20,000
Companion US$10,000-$14,999
Member US$5,000-$9,999
Friend US$1,000-$4,999
The 2016 PLEDGE FOR PEACE Campaign is conducted by PEACE Board Directors and Advisors making person-to-person contacts. Interested persons are invited to contact a Director or Advisor of your choice from the following list:
PEACE Board of Directors:
- Mary Corroon
- Bob Farquharson
- John Gladish
- Peter Newton
- Rob Ritchie
- Roberto Santa Cruz
- Mariette Woestemeyer
Advisors to the Board:
- Bob Dahl
- Valerie Ewell
- Stan Grad
- Jay Precourt.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Advisors, Staff, and all beneficiaries of PEACE’s meaningful programs, all delivered in the local Punta de Mita area, PEACE thanks all donors and potential donors for considering this request.
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Sign up for the Punta Mita Charity Golf Classic - scramble format, 9AM tee off, categories for men, women, and mixed, US200 - at 
