DECEMBER TRIP YIELDS GREAT NEWS!

Juana and Yoli with graduation cards

I made the trip to San Cristobal alone this December. I was able to attend the bi-monthly workshop for all three days and also to share in the Christmas posada with the women and children. I also had the chance to talk at length with several of our scholarship recipients.  One afternoon I made the trip out to the community of Zinacantan to have dinner in the home of the two sisters who have both just completed their university coursework. Juana, with a degree in Computer Science, graduated on December 20.  Her sister, Yoli, finishing up her English degree, is waiting for the results of a comprehensive state-mandated test, and her graduation will be in February or March.  









The best news is that Carmen, our coordinator, heard about a prospective house for sale that could serve as a center for the cooperative. (The plot of land they had attempted to purchase in the fall was thwarted when the owner sold to a higher bidder.) I was very fortunate to see the house while I was there, and of all the properties I've seen in San Cristobal in the last 3 years, this was the most suitable and the most reasonable price. Our capital campaign will resume shortly, after a 2 year hiatus.

Knowing that the women and girls will soon have their own space and will no longer have to pay rent was the best Christmas present I could have had.

Other Chiapas tidbits:

•  The composting toilet project will begin in Yajalon and workshops are being scheduled. Thanks go out to all of you who have given toilets as gifts!
•  A new Children's Program was proposed and the Board voted to fund it. This one is a bit different from our other two Children's Programs as it will focus strongly on Spanish and Math.
•  The members of the cooperative completed a workshop on planning and produced a very comprehensive document which addressed their focus and goals for the 2013.

It was a gratifying trip.
Thank you all for you support.

Judith