BajaNomad

School Textbooks

awfulart - 6-13-2008 at 07:22 PM

I have several cartons of school textbooks(Spanish language) in practically new condition(various grades) and wonder if there is still a need in Baja for them.

I have in the past taken text books to the Mulege Rotary and to a school in Mulege. In addition, I took a load of books to the Orphanage in Huatabampo(mainland) at the college there so I know there must be a need. As always we keep our fingers crossed when crossing but so far we have not been questioned about the books. We hope to get down sometime this year.

Art & Alice

Awful & Alice,

BMG - 6-13-2008 at 11:13 PM

Or Awful & Art,

I'm surprised no one has been replied yet. Must be many areas of Baja that would have a need for the books.

Interesting to have someone mention Huatabampo. My father-in-law father was born close by there in Bacobampo. The standing joke driving through Huatabampo after discovering the unmarked topes was to say, "Whatta bumpo."

dean miller - 6-14-2008 at 06:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by awfulart
I have several cartons of school textbooks(Spanish language) in practically new condition(various grades) and wonder if there is still a need in Baja for them.
...
Art & Alice

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There is an unquenchable need for the surplus American Spanish language text books in Baja. They are identical to those used in the Mexican school system.

Also needed- ancillary supplies; pencils, paper, note books etc. ( avoid ball point pens--they tend to have a short life do to the heat of Baja.)

Mrs. Miller and I have been the sole support of the San Lucas school system for over ten years. When we began they had an ill-equipped building for grades 1-6. Through our and the efforts of the towns people and the Catholic church they have a dedicated building for grades 7 to 9 and a kinder garden--all equiped with donated supplies. We now support two find young men -brothers- in high school. The first of that community to attend high school.

We have some how managed to slip through the border with out detection. If detected we have always been prepared to pay duty. On our last trip we slipped through with two new large Sears Air conditioning units, and ten boxes of supplies--crammed in a small trailer and a Toyota--and we were stopped and inspected at the secondary in TJ.

We, Mrs Miller and I and the students of San Lucas would appreciate and certainly make use of your 2 boxes of text books if you would like to transport and donate them to the school system.
dm

CaboRon - 6-14-2008 at 07:02 AM

Quote:
Quote:
...
Art & Alice
On our last trip we slipped through with two new large Sears Air conditioning units, and ten boxes of supplies--crammed in a small trailer and a Toyota--and we were stopped and inspected at the secondary in TJ.



Dean,
Are you going to tell us what happened at that inspection? Were you charged any duty?

CaboRon

Pescador - 6-14-2008 at 08:40 AM

Dean is right that he and his wife have made a significant impact in the schools at San Lucas. We now live in San Bruno which is just south of there and the first time I visited the schools I could hardly believe the condition of the schools there. they are using books and materials that we would have thrown away in the States. Most of the books needed massive infusions of duct tape and glue just to keep them together. I have also found the same situation in the rural schools like Santa Agueda (just south of Santa Rosalia) and San Juan de Magdelena.
Notebooks (spiral bound), pencils, crayons, glue, and all that kind of thing is great. It is fun to stock up when the big stores have all the back to school sales and you can get a lot of stuff for very little money.
When we take things down, I hate to go to an individual and give them a box of clothing or that kind of thing, but when you give to a school, they are able to pass them out as needed and you are able to give more anonomously.

DENNIS - 6-14-2008 at 09:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by awfulart
I have several cartons of school textbooks(Spanish language) in practically new condition(various grades) and wonder if there is still a need in Baja for them.



Textbooks in Mexico, especially history books, are written to rigid specifications. They hold a hard line toward the Mex/US relations and particularly the Treaty Of Guadalupe. The Mexican government wants the people to fully understand and remember how they were screwed out of their land in our quest for Manifest Destiny.
More recently in Mexico, textbooks have been suggested to soften that stance and are overruled by the government. Ernesto Zedillo, prior to his presidency, was minister of education and had tried to bring these modern view texts into circulation, to no avail.

Art...I wonder where your texts were printed and if they would be affected by this?

awfulart - 6-14-2008 at 12:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by awfulart
I have several cartons of school textbooks(Spanish language) in practically new condition(various grades) and wonder if there is still a need in Baja for them.



Textbooks in Mexico, especially history books, are written to rigid specifications. They hold a hard line toward the Mex/US relations and particularly the Treaty Of Guadalupe. The Mexican government wants the people to fully understand and remember how they were screwed out of their land in our quest for Manifest Destiny.
More recently in Mexico, textbooks have been suggested to soften that stance and are overruled by the government. Ernesto Zedillo, prior to his presidency, was minister of education and had tried to bring these modern view texts into circulation, to no avail.

Art...I wonder where your texts were printed and if they would be affected by this?


I wondered the same thing, I am not even sure there are any history book in the boxes which are in temporary storage but I will check as to subject matter and publisher.

I assume if the textbooks are not suitable the teachers would dispose of them. I am not aware of any problems with the books I have already taken down but its not likely I would be told.

wilderone - 6-16-2008 at 09:05 AM

In talking with the family at San Borja, I understand that in those rural ranches, a teacher will come and live with them for 6 months out of the year to teach, but only up through grade 6 I believe. If the children want further education they need to get to a larger town with educational opportunities. Years ago Angel and Henry at San Borja told me since the teacher no longer comes to them, they would like any kind of books. I assume that is the case in the areas where the rural teacher travels. I'd be happy to take some for my next Baja CA drop-off.