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There is a real good reason to sponsor a child. Although tuition for public schools is free there are costs such as
uniforms, supplies, etc., which many of the poor simply cannot afford. Therefore sponsoring a poor child facilitates their
getting an education. What greater gift is there than one that will help a poor person get on the path to financial security,
a productive life and freedom? Here is some information about the Mexican school system that will help you understand why
sponsoring is so valuable.
The Mexican school system differs from that in the USA. Children start Kinder, similar to our Kindergarten,at age 3. It is a 3-year program. They then enter Primaria, a 6-year program starting at first grade, similar to our elementary school. Only a select few qualify for the next level as there are not enough schools and it is costly so further education is for those who can afford it. Many cannot so this is where they drop out. For those who can afford it the next level is Secundaria, like our Junior High. It’s a 3-year program followed by Preparatoria, like our Senior High, another 3-year program – a prep school for college level. Graduates are ready for Universidad, or college. There are three types of college levels; state, federal, and private. About 8 miles north of Rosarito Beach on the toll-road northbound at Real del Mar, on the right you will see a Universidad. It’s called Colegio de la Frontera Norte, which translates to College of the Northern Frontier. To Gringos, college comes after high school. In Mexico, colegios, are institutions of learning from kindergarten through college. Enter DIF, which stands for Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (Literally, Development of the Integrity of the Family, meaning Keeping the Family Together). It is a non-profit Mexican government organization throughout all of Mexico. It has three branches, Federal, State, and Municipal. The wife of each of the elected top official of these branches of . government is President of the Board of Directors of the DIF program where her husband holds office. The first lady of the Municipality of Rosarito Beach DIF is Senora Maria Ana Medina de Macias. I was asked by DIF if I would help get their information to the Gringo Community. I said I would. The objective of DIF is to help members of poor families of the community, especially the children, the handicapped, senior citizens, victims of domestic violence, and natural disasters. It’s like NO FAMILY LEFT BEHIND! DIF programs include providing schools for the poor with kitchens, providing nutrition, social work, preventive work, medical assistance including vaccinations, environmental protection, and survival skills such as how to grow fruits and vegetables. You will find a DIF school on Calle Ensenada, just West of Benito Juarez Blvd. DIF is currently building a shelter for abused women. DIF recently developed a program called “Apadrina a un Nino,” which is Spanish for “Sponsor a Child.” It is a scholarship for a child for one school year which includes basic school supplies as well as a casual uniform, shoes, a sports uniform and some sports equipment. This program is designed to motivate low income children to become educated. The cost is $140. You can make a deposit at any HSBC branch for the account of Patronato DIF Rosarito, account number 4030276901, or directly at the DIF office which is adjacent to City Hall. Feel free to call Sra. Maria Ana Medina de Macias at 617-6077 or 612-6082. You can e-mail her at patronatodifrto@hotmail.com. If for any reason you cannot make it to an HSBC branch or to the DIF office, you may send the money to me via PayPal (account of PFowler@Mail.com) and I will get it to DIF. Note: I have met two Mexican brothers here in Rosarito Beach who started life in Southern Mexico among the very poor – the impoverished – where drugs and crime and shootings are the norm. Where there was virtually no hope for a future. Their mother was determined to get her sons out of that environment and with unbelievable strength and perseverance she somehow managed to get her family to Rosarito Beach. Her sons showed a willingness to learn and a benefactor provided a college education Today they are successful productive members of this community. What a great return on the investment! Peter Fowler is staff writer for the Baja Times. He can be reached at peterfowler_mx@yahoo.com. His stories are archived at www.FRNN-Baja.com. |