MISSION To empower disadvantaged youth with education and life skills, enabling them to break cycles of poverty |
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A JUNGLE VILLAGE
June, Vol.14, 2021
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Greetings!
Our State of Oaxaca has some 32,000 rural villages. Many are very isolated due to distance and mountains that are difficult to navigate. Understanding the worlds our students come from helps us help them adjust to a modern world.
When young people come from these villages to work or study here in the capital, they experience culture shock, and feel out of place in, what is to them, a high tech world. Many express their lack of family, friends, genuine connection with others, to name a few.
In Fall 2020 two of Casa de Kids’ supporters, Karen and Tom, expressed interest in visiting a remote jungle village about three hours northeast of us here. They'd read that one of our students was from a village called Santiago-Cuasimulco that was only accessible by hiking in on foot. I was delighted by their interest in the students and we planned a visit.
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Our Unforgettable Journey
by Tom & Karen, friends of CdK
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We, Karen and Tom, accepted an offer from Drew at Casa de Kids to visit an indigenous village in the Chinantla area of the Sierra Norte mountains of Oaxaca. Our journey was unforgettable.
The best part was getting to know our host and CdK student, Eraclio. He is an amazing young man with motivation, positive energy, and a vision for his future that includes working in Canada. Most importantly, he eventually wants to return to his village. His vision includes using his education in mechanical engineering to design and build a water system for his village.
Our journey started with a 4 hour drive to La Esperanza, a small town in the heart of the Chinanteca people. Then we entered the closed territory driving 40 minutes down a steep road to arrive at the river in the bottom of the valley. We drove through tropical vegetation as well as areas that are being cleared for corn and cattle.
After parking at the river, we crossed a handmade footbridge, then ascended the other side of the mountain on foot. The hike took us to the village of 18 houses through tropical vegetation and beautiful vistas. We were welcomed by Eraclioʼs father, two sisters, his brother and sister-in-law and their two smiling children. They all live in one cement block house with compacted dirt floors. There is minimal furniture and the beds are each made of plywood and blankets. The house has no plumbing or running water, but outside is a constant flow of fresh water coming down from the mountain.
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Getting to the village by foot |
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In Oaxaca city, Program Associate, Pamela Vazquez, and President, Drew Vogt, are the two people responsible for most of the daily Casa de Kids work and activities. From time to time, volunteers assist them, such as for classes and celebrations. Our 29 students are enrolled in 12 different educational institutions here in Oaxaca.
One of our students is attending the Manhattan School of Music starting in September and another one is planning to transfer through his current university program to a university abroad in 2022.
The schools help determine our agendas, such as to review grades, meet counselors, and pay school fees. Since this is a cash society, most fees have to be paid in person at a specific bank or school office IF they're open.
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Pamela's and Drew's flexibility is often in high demand when a school announces, sometimes only hours or a day before, when a fee is due. We make appointments with the students to take them to buy textbooks, or school materials. One book might be available on campus, the other at a local store.
In one day for example, Drew will accompany three different students to three different banks, then meet students at several bookstores to buy their books and supplies, and then meet with a new candidate for an interview at the office, located in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. We are blessed to share a donated office space by Holy Trinity. (While our work is non-religious, their generosity allows us to stretch our budget). They support CdK in many ways including space for group activities at no charge.
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New student candidates also are visited in their homes, which can be a nightmare to find in areas with no street signs or house numbers. Our city has no Metro, and only rudimentary buses and taxis. But now, CdK's pre-owned Honda enables us to make more appointments per day with much less difficulty.
If you can imagine a schedule like a patchwork quilt, that's how we live! For those of you who've had children, imagine 29 different ones communicating differently and uniquely, from different cultures. All this characterizes our work life here in Oaxaca. The success of our students since we started in 2015 inspires us to keep working, succeeding, and moving forward.
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Casa de Kids earned the 2021 Gold Seal of Transparency! |
Casa de Kids has been awarded for our transparency with a 2021 Gold Seal, from Guidestar! GuideStar is the world's largest source of information on non-profit organizations. More than 8 million visitors per year use their data.
A Gold Seal status is the leading symbol of non-profit transparency and accountability. Now, everyone can view the previous year's financial data and learn about the Casa de Kids Staff. CdK is committed to maximum transparency and trustworthiness with donors and with the general public. Check out our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile by clicking the button below, then let us know what you think.
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We would love to honor your birthday! Please use the grey button below to let us know in one easy step when your birthday is!
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Amazon Users - You can help our students while shopping! While shopping online, you can help youth in Oaxaca achieve an education by selecting Casa de Kids as your charity of choice. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. With each purchase, AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to CdK.
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Remember you can always check our previous newsletters on our website or by clicking here: |
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Why Oaxaca? Oaxaca City is the capital of the state of Oaxaca (pronounced wah-ha-kah). While our state is famous for native and culinary arts, it ranks as the country's third poorest and has one of the highest illiteracy rates. Its mountainous terrain makes commerce and education difficult, attracting many seeking a better life to Oaxaca City.
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MISSION
To empower disadvantaged youth with education and life skills, enabling them to break cycles of poverty.
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VISION
A world where youth are treated with respect and empowered through education, thriving in equality, integrity and freedom, creating the life of their dreams, while giving back to their community.
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If you know someone who would like to learn about our work |
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Casa de Kids |
EIN #83-0774465
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