kp_martin - 9-6-2006 at 07:49 PM
The Rotary Interact (High School) Clubs in our district want to help the schools as needed. Anyone involved in that aspect please reply to us via
email @ webmaster at district5110 dot org or post reply. Thanks
Davie Martin, Interact coordinator
Rotary Club of Scott Valley, CA
Bruce R Leech - 9-6-2006 at 07:57 PM
they need every thing from desks Charis black boards dry erase boards.
everything
Bruce R Leech - 9-6-2006 at 08:00 PM
also the Boarding school out just past the old Ice house lost everything
kp_martin - 9-6-2006 at 08:01 PM
ok, I was afraid of that; so the schools were wiped out? We have a project going to get school supplies down there and will endeavor to do all we
can. I know Mulege is proud of their schools.
Adopt a school
Baja Bucko - 9-6-2006 at 09:09 PM
I just posted at Mulege update-have a small rural school here in OR and we are hoping to adopt a school possibly one affected in the mountains ie
Comondu or San Javier if they are in need. I have let friends in Loreto know so maybe they will hear something soon from the mtn communities.
Bruce R Leech - 9-8-2006 at 08:17 AM
it seems like the Gov is going to suply almost everything to get the schools going again they are working very fast.
Bruce R Leech - 9-8-2006 at 11:57 AM
also the grad school and the kindergarten were completely gutted in the same area as the high school. and the boarding school on the other side of the
river.
kp_martin - 9-8-2006 at 08:23 PM
Sounds hopeful then. We will still want to help the schools but will wait for definite needs after the gov't does their thing.
kevin
Bajagypsy - 9-9-2006 at 07:12 AM
Do you think that in November there will still be a need for school items for children. My four kids have been following the devistation in Mulege
and want to help the kids there age. If you think that we could help in November, please let me know. I know it is a few months away, but we planned
to go down to Mulege at that time, and can't leave any sooner.
Bruce R Leech - 9-9-2006 at 06:33 PM
the fire Dept. says they Have more clothing than they know what to do with.
they need bedding, plastic tarps, disposable plats, cups and spoons. , tents and things to set up temp housing Propane stoves and camping type gear.
also it would be a good time to get rid of those old propane tanks that don't work in the US anymore.
bajabeachbabe - 9-11-2006 at 08:46 PM
I am a newbie on this board but have been following for some time. My husband and I are new buyers in El Bajo in Loreto and followed the path of the
hurricane hoping that our property would be spared. Fortunately for us the hurricane didn't do much damage to Loreto, but I am so sad to hear what
happened in Mulege.
Our son is taking Spanish in his high school near Seattle and I contacted his teacher to see if the school Spanish Club would be interested in
sponsoring the Mulege High School to help provide supplies, books, or whatever is needed. His teacher was very receptive. Please let me know
either what is needed or who to contact to make arrangements. Our family is headed to Loreto in early October and would be able to deliver some
school supplies, etc.
I think that this one time effort could result in a long term relationship with the school. It is so rewarding to be able to help in a time of need
and possibly create a long-lasting exchange relationship. Please let me know if the school in Mulege would be interested and how to contact them.
The Spanish teacher who is the leader of the Spanish Club at my son's school is from Mexico so I am sure that she will be able to make things work
out.
Thanks and I hope we can help.
kp_martin - 9-12-2006 at 08:20 PM
bajababe,
my email: martins at sisqtel dot net. my wife (Davie) and i are active with Rotary in helping provide supplies to the schools and have some contacts
in Mulege. Keep in touch and maybe we can team up. they need a lot of stuff. 
kevin
bajabeachbabe - 9-13-2006 at 07:14 AM
Thanks. I have sent you an email separately. Hopefully we can provide needed help.
Linda
Me too ! !
djh - 9-13-2006 at 07:29 AM
As an elementary school counselor in N.Idaho and a property owner in Loreto, I would also like to help. I have a few boxes of school supplies (for
elementary aged) students collected already - ready to go.
Is someone planning to go down in the near future that I could ship these to?
It eazes the worry to get involved in helping!
djh
EngineerMike - 9-13-2006 at 02:23 PM
Books that were wet but not destroyed & are now drying out @ CECYTE high school include a partial encyclopedia (books on the lower shelves got
ruined). The computer lab (back when there was one) was not available to all at all times, and internet access was limited so on-line encyclopedias
are somewhat foreign to these kids. Paper is better, even tho dramatically more cumbersome to transport. and FYI, the library at the big Primaria has
not been a very useful resource regardless.
If anybody can scare up Mexican encyclopedias, I will transport however many we get (I hope I live to regret that statement). CECYTE can use up to 3,
and the Primarias 1 or 2 each. Ditto w/some grand dictionarias and Mexican history books. The more the merrier. If we get too many (Heaven forbid!!)
the town library & Santa Rosalia's library can use them.
Bucko- great idea on that pesky Potter kid's stories and the like. If CS Lewis is translated into espanol, Narnia stuff would be great, as would the
Bilbo Bagenstoss stories.
Truth is, the Bibliotecas at the schools and in town have always been puny & not conducive to good introduction to research for the kids of rural
Mexico. This is a great time to set them up to a reasonable level. Thanks everybody for any help you can lend. If all goes well we'll need a few more
metal shelf sets.
The rumors about destroyed desks & chairs are not true. The desks are substantial metal frame, heavy plywood, formica top brutes we all remember
from our school days. They have been cleaned by the military crews assigned to clean the schools, and are neatly arranged or stacked in the rooms
once again. Kids can use supplies like notebooks, pencils, etc. (that's been long enough ago I forgot what I packed around; hopefully some teachers
here can post a list that would be good to have for each kid, more or less by grade or age group?). The libraries needed help before, and now are
essentially non-existent. Marge Larsen of Mulege (last house on river next to Casa Granada) & Roseburg, OR, finished her projects for a library
room at the large Primaria & Internado and another to fix up the town "library" which was unrecognizable as such due to roof leaks, all before the
flood. Now is a good time to jump-start the stocking of those as well as restock the flooded ones.
EngineerMike - 9-13-2006 at 03:02 PM
DJH- If you haven't, you should introduce yourself to the the Dirctor at the Preparatoria in Loreto, Luis Fernando Peralta. He goes by Profe Luis or
Profe Peralta. He's a fabulous guy whose life is education of kids. He teaches in the Secundaria on the main drag into town next the Escuela Normal
mornings, and runs the Preparatoria in the p.m. ("Prepa," as its known, meets 4:30 to 9 p.m. so if needed the kids can work days to help their
familia). Mike
btw- if those boxes of stuff get here on or before Friday, they'll leave for Mulege Monday a.m., see my post on the other BajaNomad thread for
address.
bajabeachbabe - 9-13-2006 at 10:34 PM
EngineerMike,
Thanks for this additonal information. Knowing what is specifically needed is great. I have sent this information on to the teacher who leads the
Spanish Club at our school. I am sure that she will be able to help determine what supplies we can obtain to send down to Mulege.
dean miller - 9-15-2006 at 07:17 AM
The Mexican goverment supplies all the books for their school children from grade 1 to 6 ( Primaria) and grade 7 to 9 (Secondiara.) The books are
published by an American publishing company, HoughtonMifflin Company. Since they are text books they are not inexpensive; they are produced to
exacting standards to insure durability and a long usage life.
They are idenical in every aspect to the books used in American bilingual classes, who, of course, use books published by HoughtonMifflin Company.
Therefore, it is suggested that Mexican government be allowed to perform is's assigned task of suppling books to it's school children.
The Mexican Government does not supply, or at least I have not seen, the varrious training aids, teacher supplements and teaching syllabus, which due
to limited production can and are very expensive, but are certainly needed for effective teacher presentation.
The Mexican students traditionally use 8X11 wire spiral bound books rather that loose leaf books for their assignments.
Therefore, the student can benifit from spiral bound books, pencils, pencil sharpners, rulers, compases, protractors, solar powered calculators, book
bags, and other supplies need on a day to day basis .
It is suggested that ball point pens be avoided since the hot Baja climate will generally dry the ink and render them useless at a very rapid rate.
The Jardin de Kinder can always use supplies; craft paper, sizzors, glue, coloring books, crayons (by the case!) TV/VCR with Spanish learning tapes
etc .
Walmart, Target et al frequently has an assortment of Spanish coloring books and on occasion primary reading books at a reasonable price.
Good luck!
DM
EngineerMike - 9-15-2006 at 09:57 AM
Here is the scoop as of today, and the wife & I will be loading up to leave on Oct. 6th for delivery to Mulege. Time for action is now.
1) Text books- I was told by a shool official, while touring the damage, there would be no program for textbook replacement. I find that hard to
believe, so I've initiated inquiries thru other channels, and until confirmed we'll assume as Bruce posted above, that govt will replace
school-provided necessities. I didn't get to see the directors (no time) and in a system where the kids academic records are duplicated
electronically in LaPaz (I don't think we do that here in CA), I don't want to start a big push for book replacement and then find out we paralleled
official spending. If/when there is official word on this I'll repost.
2) What is needed for certain: individual school kid's supplies won't be replaced by any govt program. We are accepting donations for that right now.
You can donate via check, see www.msspi.org, by PayPal (and I'll issue you a receipt) to mike at fleming dot cc (not dot com), or you can donate in kind. If in kind, please
either concentrate on in-bulk purchases of workbooks (spiral bound 8x11 lined paper w/perforated edge so a page can be neatly pulled out for turning
in an assignement), pencils, colored pencils, scissors (blunt), etc. as would be used by kids in US schools, or buy and fill plastic zippered pouches
for use by an individual kid. Best is an individual care package for a particular age kid as those are easiest to distribute. All distributions will
be through the cooperation of the offices of Trajadoras Sociales (social workers) at the schools. Deliver in-kind donations by USPS, UPS or other
ground delivery to my office at:
Mike Fleming
c/oWestern Planning & Engineering
11860 Kemper Road #3
Auburn, CA 95603
530.823.6917
3) Libraries at these schools were always lousy, and are now essentially non-existent. There is a good discussion of library needs on the thread:
"Books for the kids, schools etc" here on BajaNomad. Anything you want to donate for the library, send it also. If all goes well, we'll have to make
multiple trips. I have 2000 lbs extra cargo capacity in the motorhome we take down in November, so don't worry about weight.
This is a great project for any family or any school class in the US, as most kids (and even some of us foggies) could identify with the possibility
our stuff got wiped out in a disaster like New Orleans, which except for the lingering flood water here we are. Thanks in advance for any support you
can offer. We are not a big organization, and we know all our regular donors, so anybody new we will recognize as responding to the flood needs and
we will direct 100% of your funds accordingly.
There are about 200 familias that got wiped out. That's a buncha kids that need our help. Thanks.
Mike
EngineerMike - 9-15-2006 at 03:40 PM
Just heard on the text books from an independent but well placed source- other schools in the area are filling out disaster replacement vouchers for
losses of school stuff. That'll include text books, and hopefully computers. The Internado computers are not government issue, but were donated by
Marge Larsen's program to improve Primaria education in Mulege, and Marge (on fire as usual) has already lined up replacements for those.
So items 2 and 3 above are what's needed for the schools right now. Thanks for all who are contributing. Hopefully Lane won't add to the burden.
kp_martin - 9-16-2006 at 08:58 AM
Great update Mike! Thanks. That will fit in with our Interact Project and we'll keep in touch. My wife is meeting with WallMart PR director this
weekend to get some purchase info and what you've provided will help a bunch.
kevin
EngineerMike - 9-18-2006 at 01:35 PM
Carol reports purchasing two sets of fresh encyclopedias in espanol, shipped to me for delivery to the schools. Thanks Carol !!!
Coming to you in CA.
djh - 9-19-2006 at 07:42 AM
Hey EMike,
Thanks for the good info. Oct. 6 departure works! We will be shipping (UPS) you two well packed boxes of supplies for students (from #2 on your
list).
Thanks for coordinating and delivering.
I'll ship at the local UPS this afternoon to your CA address.
Best.
David and Shing
djh
BTW, I'll try to meet the Dirctor at the Preparatoria in Loreto, Profe Luis Profe Peralta, next time I'm in Loreto. (likely Jan.)
EngineerMike - 9-19-2006 at 09:25 AM
Thanks DJH. We'll get the stuff to the Social Workers for distribution.
Talked to Luis yesterday. He's his usual irrepressibly happy self. We have 24 kids on our Program in his school this year, and 4 college
scholarships lined up for next year for seniors that will graduate this school year. And we have 6 really great candidates from the 9 seniors. Luis
is feliz. mike
Make that 3....
djh - 9-20-2006 at 07:33 AM
EMike,
Make that 3 boxes.... :-).
I'll U2U UPS tracking numbers to you this afternoon from my office (where I left the info...)
Safe travels. Thanks for all you do !
David and Shing
djh
EngineerMike - 9-21-2006 at 11:25 AM
DJH- Mil gracias for the stuff. Should be here for our 10/6 departure.
I've gotten queries of whether 1-2 year old English as Second Language materials that are scheduled for discard/replacement by US school districts
would be of use. I'll be checking w/the English teachers as to what they use and whether US ESL course materials could help. Great idea Jim Kruk.
Update on school needs?
bajabeachbabe - 9-26-2006 at 07:16 AM
The Spanish Club at Inglemoor High School is in the process of collecting supplies for the Mulege schools. The Spanish Teacher who leads the club
has been in contact with the teachers in Mulege and has a list of what they needed. If someone could let me know what has already been collected to
be delivered we can make the most of providing support and not duplicate.
Our family is heading to Loreto on Oct 12 and will bring the collected supplies, so the latest information on what is needed would be appreciated.
EngineerMike - 9-26-2006 at 12:41 PM
I am going down on the 6th with 4 sets of Spanish encyclopedias, a coupla large dictionaries, globe, and boxes of individual kids supplies (pencils,
erasers, notebooks, etc.).
The libraries can use at least 4 more large encyclopedias, 5 more dictionaries (spanish only, not spanish-english), any number of spanish-english
dictionaries, and then kids books in Spanish (Narnia, Harry Potter, & whatever else kids are reading these days)
EngineerMike - 9-26-2006 at 01:28 PM
Forgot to mention- many books en espanol are available on Amazon.com and Ebay for excellent prices. Two people have shipped me stuff for restocking
the school libraries they bought that way.
David & Shing of Couer d'Alene, ID- your 3 boxes of kids school supplies came yesterday. WOW!! Thanks a million. That might just be enough
crayons for everybody!!
Carol- I followed your lead & bought another set of the "Actual Mas Mexicana" encyclopedia off ebay. Should be here before the 6th. Thanks a
million to you also.
If all goes well we'll hit the weight limit on our Toyota pickup.
EngineerMike - 10-2-2006 at 12:54 PM
Carol-
The globe en espanol came today in perfect shape (poorly packed, but well taken care of in transit, so no problem).
One of the diccionarios I ordered off ebay is here also. Still waiting on about 5 more books, so whatever comes by Wed. p.m. will be leaving with us
Thu. a.m.
A million thanks for everything to those contributing.
Thanks Mike,
djh - 10-3-2006 at 07:38 AM
Thanks for coordinating and delivering and everything else you do!
Safe travels. Grab a few photos of the smiles you receive (to post) if you can! That always encourages Nomads to pitch in and help :-).
David and Shing in CDA... and thinking about Baja !
vgabndo - 10-3-2006 at 10:05 AM
Mike:
We'll be heading down almost exactly a month from now. I'm 100% open at this point as to what I can do. At least, I can have a full compliment of
carpentry tools and about a week to apply to building whatever is needed. Otherwise, I have my 3/4 ton utility trailer available to haul anything
that I can pick up along the way traveling the length of California Alta.
I'm semi-retired, and bux are always short. I would have to ask that anything that might require payment of duty be accompanied by the appropriate
pesos.
What is the latest on documentation of one's intention to do relief work? A big load of power tools is hard to hide!
Please let me know what I can do. Thanks
EngineerMike - 10-3-2006 at 04:18 PM
It would be great to get some organized repair party "needs list" going, so it could be attacked. I'll have a coupla days after we get the stuff we
are taking passed out (and after we have passed out & reawakened). I'll see if I can get something started for the families that need help of a
carpintero, painter, etc., and if it looks like something can be organized I'll post a new thread. According to my buddy Raphael, most of the houses
are still there, but they are in beat up or worse shape, and folks are either living w/friends or toughing it out in their stinky place. Not my idea
of healthy long term solutions in either case.
bajabeachbabe - 10-3-2006 at 06:31 PM
Mike,
I have ordered about 30 Spanish reading books (CS Lewis, RL Stine, Allende, etc) for the high school in Mulege, plus the Inglemoor Spanish Club is
collecting notebooks, etc. for us to take with us to Loreto on Oct. 12. Could you U2U me and let me know how we might get together to deliver these
while we are down there? I think I will have about three suitcases of supplies and books to deliver. 
Thanks,
Linda