The Eagle’s Nest or El Nido, is getting a new top. A palm thatched hut on the ocean may be romantic, but it does have a down side… it doesn’t last forever, We started seeing some wear this year and if you stayed there in the summer rains, you may have experienced a bit of that rain on the inside. So a call went out to Candillo, our master palapa craftsman and he got us on his schedule. I don’t mean just his work schedule, but also the harvesting schedule. We are using Royal Palms for this palapa.
Thanks to the efforts of many people, the Yelapa schools are getting some renewing. Here are some of the projects being done after the wonderful fundraising events:
The library is open and kids are eagerly reading the first of over 1,000 books that will fill the recently built shelves in the newly painted room.
Full bathrooms for the teachers are under construction
The kitchen facility is being tiled and renovated including the purchase of a long lasting, better stove
A new and improved playground area is being developed
Mattresses for the teachers have been donated and purchased (though more are needed).
A multi-function scanner/printer/photocopy machine and ink cartridges have been purchased.
Trash bins have been built by parents, teachers and kids and now dot the school grounds.
Beautiful cloth has been purchased and curtains are being sewn for windows.
Fresh coats of paint are being applied.
Repairs to plumbing and electrical are in the works.
For ways you can get involved, please contact Pamela Rojas-Nunez at: yelapachac@yahoo.com
When it comes to having to buy products in containers, we encourage aluminum and metal cans. There is actually a place in Puerto Vallarta that recycles. After a fair amount has gathered in the recycling bins, we give the bounty to a local woman who takes the metal to town and she gets the cash for the stash. Make sure you rinse everything out, the raccoons will get into ANYTHING!!
As you may guess, plastic is one of the most prolific products that we have to deal with in Yelapa. Because all the trash has to boated out, we are constantly trying to figure creative ways to deal with all the plastic that comes in. At this writing Mexico does not have a system in place for plastic recycling. We, however, just received this bit of information from Kendra Gracia:
Plastic Recycling through Vallarta Adventures: Plastic recycling pick up is every Monday around 10:30 AM at the town pier and around 1:30 PM at Rogelio’s on the beach. These times are approximate as Vallarta Adventures picks up plastic at the town pier when they drop their tourists off and picks up plastic at Rogelio’s when they pick up their tourists to bring them back to Puerto Vallarta. Separate your plastic and bring it to the closest pick up point to help keep Yelapa beautiful! And please spread the word!
NOTE: Vallarta Adventures does not sell our plastic. They have agreed to carry away our plastic for no charge and no party involved in this program incurs any financial gain from the arrangement.
We continue to encourage our guests to bring their own refillable water bottles…we have wonderful filtered water.
Summer interns Katie and Spenser are going to get first hand experience in the art of creative recycling. We have just purchased a super duper glass bottle cutter. The plan is to use as many glass bottles for our glasses, candle holders and wind chimes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydwV_dj-UKs
MISSION STATEMENT
We are working on the plans to build a vocational magnet school in the town of Yelapa,
Mexico. The school program aspires to train master electricians and
plumbers, to develop experts in waste water treatment, aqua and
permaculture farming. These graduates will be able to offer services
in Yelapa and all the surrounding villages. Professionals in the different
disciplines from the US and Mexico will work as instructors and mentors.
For thoughts and ideas, please contact El Jardin’s Bruce Leahy
With the summer rains, the gardens are growing like crazy. Summer Intern, Doris, has been thrown into the thick of things as Rocky directs her to the unruly bushes that just keep growing…no matter how many times we cut them back. Thanks Rocky and Doris for holding down the fort this summer.
Last month our local nurses and doctors, with the help of a volunteer doctor from Europe, visited the schools to give free checkups. The most prevalent problem encountered concerned the children’s mouths. About 50% of the kids had dental problems. There was also a fair amount that had lice or fleas as well. Fortunately there were not many bone problems to report. The clinic will have a dentist in house covered by Seguro Popular, but they do not expect him/her to be here in the very near future. Until then they tried to encourage regular cleanings. There is a new dentist in town that can provide these services.
Note from Kendra Garcia:
Health Clinic: A great effort was made by community members to clean up the grounds at the health clinic on Feb 15th. Lots of leaves were swept up (and composted), trees were cut and/or trimmed, construction remains were thrown out, moved, or organized, a few plants were planted and more.
The little health clinic in Yelapa has transformed into a beautiful, big building complete with an access ramp. Roberto Hernandez Viorato, our health clinic head nurse, spearheaded this project. The secretary of health and representatives from Guadalajara visited the clinic on Feb 15 to determine what is left to be completed. Examination rooms will be furnished, screens will be put on the windows, curtains will be added as well as mosquito nets, landscaping, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: The clinic is fully operational, but they will soon be fully operating as an institution that serves folks with Seguro Popular insurance. This is government provided insurance. The clinic has yet to receive this mandate, but have been notified to expect it. What this means is that if you do not have this insurance, you will no longer be able to be treated there when the change if made. If you need a consultation, you will be able to meet with the local doctors, but they will not be able to provide you with any medications or additional services. They will be able to do provide you with services like stitches – but again, they won’t be able to provide any medications. However, if you have FM2 or FM3 status or are a citizen, you can get this health insurance nearly for free. Yes, at almost no cost to you. There is no annual/monthly charge at all. The only expense would be the processing fee for the paperwork. You will need to gather up your CURP number (listed in your legal Mexican paperwork), your birth certificate, a local bill indicating your address of residence, and passport. As mentioned, there will be a small processing fee for the paperwork – I do not know just how much this will be yet. Nurse Roberto will help complete the paperwork, process it for you, and let you know when you can expect to pick up the insurance document you need. Roberto helped me process my paperwork for this about a year ago and it wasn’t difficult. Obviously this change will impact our tourists in the future, but, please, no need for mass panic yet. The Health Clinic and our local doctors are thinking about and working through solutions for how this impacts our very important and large tourist population.
Our current local doctors are David Bonilla Lara MPSS (here until July 31) and Robert Cesar Riguez Sanchez (here on contract). They are pictured in one of the attached photos. Dr. David Bonilla Lara is standing.
Women’s Health: On Feb 22 and 23 the health clinic is providing FREE cervical and breast cancer exams for women with seguro popular insurance. Please, please help spread the word to all your local lady friends in town. Their health is so important!
