Living at Lake Chapala in Mexico

Here is the update post today from Betty Prentki, et al. we hope that in a few days a special website will be up and running to continue relaying information about the needs and problems and successes in San Juan Cosalá.

A clarification: Viva Mexico - Tia Lupita is all the same restaurant, headed by Augustine Vasquez and his family--these are not two different places.

Update from Robin Ziebert, who has been on the scene in San Juan Cosalá

Robin Ziebert, a Emergency Relief Management Professional (man-made or natural), Karine Johnson, a Disaster Relief Specialist (Canada Red Cross in-training, writing curricula, and lead person on U.S. and Canadian disasters), Peter Palmer of Pedro's Gourmet Restaurant, Alicia Salcido of AMSIF in San Juan Cosala, Brenda Carol and Jayme Littlejohn have joined forces to help the rebuilding efforts under the banner of " Help San Juan Cosalá".

We are in touch with the government officials still working in the area and are starting to coordinate efforts with other groups so that we are supporting everyone's efforts and yet avoiding duplication of efforts as we move forward. A bank account has been set up to handle funds coming in from the US, Canada and around Mexico. More information will be forthcoming.

We would love to hear from other groups/organizations about any specific work being done so that we can act as a clearing house and use our website (which will be up and running tomorrow) as a place to communicate with all parties. Please contact us at helpsanjuancosala@gmail.com.

Here's what's happening on the assistance side of things...

The new drop off point:
The Associación para un Mejor Mundo now has charge of the Centro de Acopios, which is located in a bodega in their home/center at 121-A La Paz, in San Juan.

For anyone taking good to help, take the road that goes down past the school/church and plaza to the very last street, La Paz. At the second school, take a left and go approximately two and a half blocks. The new center is on your left. DIF staff and volunteers are taking items from there to the Disco on the plaza. However, it is insecure at night so they don't like to leave too much.

They are distributing dispensas/family packs from there to the affected population every four days. Others in the community are receiving a dispensa every eight days. However, milk and diapers for the kids are being given out daily. In addition, they are providing a separate cleaning "kit" to each family (chlorox, piñol, washing powder, scrub brush, mop, broom, etc.).

It is regretful that in all emergencies and other programs which are mandated to help, people do fall through the cracks. Either because they don't come forward, or are overlooked somehow in the drama. Teams are canvasing the town again to find out who has not been helped.

Yesterday two houses on the carretera at the western edge of town were discovered that had not been cleaned out. The houses themselves were swept out, but in the back no one had come to clean up the mud, boulders, rocks, and other things that were buried.

This is the type of thing that causes disease, and so the need to get it taken care of is really urgent. State Protección Civil was responsible for doing it, and they have withdrawn. It is being taken care of nonetheless.

We also visited School for Niños y Jovenes yesterday and had a good talk with Padre Beto (Macias). The Association took up a lot milk, and Father Beto's staff asks for whatever they need from the emergency stocks. He was describing to us an energy/health drink that they provide the kids everyday, using Soya amongst many other things. My next-door neighbor was one of the Father's students YEARS ago, and so we talked about him and other students from over the years. For 82 years old - he's got a ton of energy and is completely

Fundraisers:

A number fundraisers are being planned:

Saturday, October 6th -
FESTIVAL TODOS POR COXALA will be held in the Ajijic Plaza de Toros (Lienzo Charro on Calle Revolution from 4 pm to 10.30 pm.

This event is to be sponsored by two local art associations: Colectivo La Cueva (Mario Zetune, Isidro Xilonxochitl, Judy Brown, Arturo Garcia, Jose Luis); Colectivo Lago Gris (Beto Munoz, Meretrices, Página, El Charal, and Rotulos arte Impreso.

They have confirmed six bands, and are awaiting confirmation of another six. Cost is 40 pesos for tickets sold in advance and 50 pesos at the door.

They will be asking people to bring one or two things to donate, but I will confirm to you what those things are next week. The proceeds will go towards purchasing plates/utensils and other kitchen items.


Sunday, October 7th
A day of food, culture, and music in San Juan Cosalá.

This is being organized by "Kiki" who lives across from the primary school on La Paz. He has organized other similar events for SJC and all have been a huge success.

In addition, Brenda Carroll is organizing a weekend of food, music and dancing in SJC.

Tentative plans call for groups to play at Ruben's Grill, Tia Lupita's and other venues in the village. We'll have dates/time and other information as it is available.

In the Raquet Club, there are still numerous huge machines, still digging out. It has been discovered that the municipality IS responsible for the roads inside the Raquet and they are assisting, doing all they can. The backhoes organized by Francisco Gomez, Peter and others have been doing all they can as well.

Electric was restored in the first several days, most phones are back on, but water is a more difficult issue in the Raquet. Water was restored to the village of San Juan Cosalá several days ago.

There is still much more digging out to be done in the village...there are still a few houses that escaped notice somehow...and other streets to the north of the carretera still to be done. But poco a poco they are cleaning up and will soon finish.

We'll have more on how the reconstruction aid comes down, and how it will be coordinated, later.

Current needs list as of September 21:
Canned Goods:
Vegetables
Tuna
other canned fish or meat (try to buy with expiration dates as far in the future as possible, but don't worry--all will be used--soon)
Sugar
Powdered Milk (Kinder--a large yellow can for children)
Tetrapaks (ultrapasturized liter boxes)
Gerbers Baby
FoodCan Openers
Large Size Diapers
Baby Bottles with Nipples
Clorox - small bottles
Piñol - small bottles
Mops
Brooms
Cleaning
Brushes
Laundry Detergent (Powdered)
Toothpaste
Bath Soap

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
backpacks,
notebooks: both lined and unlined and checked graph paper
pens and pencils
colored pencils
erasers
pencil sharpeners
crayons
scissors
Other school supplies

The events above will be listed on the Community Events calendar for October. The calendar will be mailed the 29th or 30th of September

Thanks to Robin Ziebert, Jayme Littlejohn, and Phyllis Rauch.

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Judy King is publisher of  Mexico Insights' Living at Lake Chapala, a monthly online magazine for people interested in Mexico's Lake Chapala region, in the state of Jalisco.

Judy, a 16-year resident of Ajijic on Lake Chapala's north shore, conducts weekly newcomer's seminars, shares her expertise about Mexico in her monthly online magazine, and in the "Mexico Lindo" column for the Lake Chapala Review.

Judy also is a speaker for local organizations and visiting tour groups about the Lakeside area and Mexican customs and holidays.