BajaNomad

Hang onto 1 STOVE, 1 gas cylinder, 1 desk ......

BajaBlanca - 5-13-2013 at 03:47 PM

PLEASE JUMP TO END FOR AUGUST 3 UPDATE


Please hang onto any unwanted beds, tables, desks, sheets, towels, dishes, silverware, pots n pans until end of July, if you can


There is a group of 5 disadvantaged students from La Bocana/ Punta Abreojos who may need them when they head off to college in La Paz this August! We will only know if they passed the entrance exam on the 15 July.


And if you are religious, please pray that they pass. They have worked very hard towards this goal.

Thanks in advance.

[Edited on 7-22-2013 by BajaBlanca]

[Edited on 8-3-2013 by BajaBlanca]

Paulina - 5-13-2013 at 09:02 PM

Blanca,

I'll be thinking good thoughts for your five students. Waiting for anything is hard enough, but two months seems like a really long time to wait for the results of their exams. I wish them well.

P>*)))>{

BajaBlanca - 5-14-2013 at 01:50 PM

I know. Sure wish it was automated and faster but tant pis. C'est la vie. If any of you all have friends in La Paz, that would be the best option but anywhere down the coast is awesome and doable.

tiotomasbcs - 5-14-2013 at 02:46 PM

No relatives? A Sponsor Program with a family from La Paz? Dormitories? Seems like the kids would be lost in a big city after growing up in La Bocana. Anyone else with knowledge or experience w/ outta town students living in La Paz while attending school? Most kids down here rent an apt or have family. I would be happy to help out. Suerte. Tio

DavidE - 5-14-2013 at 03:11 PM

"Please hang onto any unwanted beds, tables, desks"


I do just dat after seņor Agave and I have had a serious discussion.

BajaBlanca - 5-14-2013 at 04:39 PM

Tio, thanks for offering tohelp! We shall take it a step at a time, but if they need beds table etc, i just wanted to give you all a heads up to not give away, throw away....it will be a huge adjustment. They need to live near the college, i am hoping they can perhaps find a pensione oR home that offers meals.

If anyone lives nearish to UABCS and wants a little extra cash,maybe you'll consider renting a room out?

David! LOL!! Very funny.

[Edited on 5-14-2013 by BajaBlanca]

rts551 - 5-14-2013 at 04:58 PM

The answer is yes. These students get help from their families. They are not destitute. Fortunately many students each year from La Bocana and Punta Abreojos go off to college. Some to La Paz, Some to Ensenada, and the more fortunate to places like Hermosillo. Even though their tuition is not much buy our standards, most have to live off the economy placing a huge burden on the local family. They share apartments and help each other with furnishings. But every little bit that we can provide helps. You wouldn't believe the joy that a small office size frig brought to a couple of students.

gnukid - 5-14-2013 at 09:10 PM

Blanca, I am sure you are well intended but simply too often misdirected, but let's be clear, seniors are in need of furniture, college kids do not need furniture to go to school, kids should be minding their own business and becoming self-sufficient working part-time and simply reading, writing and doing their work, no need for any luxuries, in fact it's a burden that will only cause them trouble to move and store. Kids in La Paz live just fine with simple things they can make or find when they get here, meddling from beach resort outsiders with American ideals just causes unrealistic expectations of an endless money-tree and doesn't teach kids to plan and work hard for themselves. Sorry but you strike a nerve as though "these kids" are entitled-they are not, nor are any kids, however, we should try to help our fellow seniors in need, especially neighbors who we are aware need help. Perhaps your energy would be better suited looking for ways for your group to contribute to help others who are less fortunate instead of asking for handouts? I doubt you'll accept my point but you should know I think your posts are misdirected for the kids you claim to be helping.

dtbushpilot - 5-14-2013 at 09:44 PM

Well, there you have it....

BajaBlanca - 5-15-2013 at 10:15 AM

Gnukid

These are really poor kids and they will need a bed. A desk. A table to eat on. A kitchen with bare essentials. I am not even sure they will be accepted into college but i have been giving them free English classes in the hopes that this will help. I don't expect them to live in a Taj Majal, but they do have to sleep and eat, right?

Then when they graduate, they will be able to take care of their senior relatives!

Please come visit us for a day and let me show you around La Bocana. And you can meet the teens! I bet you will change your tune. ((((: These are very neat humans who have overcome huge obstacles to get where they are today. Trust me, you would be proud to support them in any way you could if you knew them.

BajaBlanca - 5-15-2013 at 10:18 AM

Ralph - i bet your gesture of giving a fridge will NEVER be forgotten.


Good on you!

gnukid - 5-15-2013 at 08:23 PM

Blanca

Campers, kids or anyone can sleep on the floor with just a simple camping pad and a sheet or on top of a blanket, a table can be made from found wood, a box or can be bought for a few pesos at the segundas, or a box with material over is cool, a lightbulb is a few pesos.

You are well intended but sometimes telling kids they need furniture or a fridge while they have no money is not really helpful.

Truly, kids should focus on schoolwork and the external environment, help out charity, take care of themselves, contribute and not be expecting Gringos to give them furniture and a fridge, in fact your suggestion is the exactly the problem. These kids need to integrate with their environment, pay the way and help out. At UABCS we have groups that paint over graffitti, plant and tend gardens, help conservation, help seniors, these kids do not benefit from furniture, TV, crap and nonsense and frankly you might consider other ideas and strategy to raise kids, such as the book "the millionaire next door". The kids are fine, stay out of it.

JohnMcfrog - 5-15-2013 at 09:18 PM

Don't really get how anyone could define Baja Blanca's efforts to help the kids in Punta Abreojos or La Bocanna is somehow misguided. My wife and I have met them and our hearts go out to her efforts to help. Let's not be negative or play your own agenda when someone is making a positive influence.

There are few enough people who give a hoot about someone else. Please not talk about sleeping on floors etc. Let's see where you are sleeping before we give credence to your BS.

Like the kids, if they get accepted we are going to help.

Junanito

gnukid - 5-16-2013 at 06:44 AM

You are missing the point, there are about 8 universities in La Paz, many kids come and go, there are also many others in need of all ages.

A plan would be: teach kids to be self-sufficient, don't teach kids to expect a gift from heaven to provide a bed.

Here are some ideas, go to the back of a large store, ask for wood fruit crates and pallets, go to comex and ask for left over paint. Take those items and mix the paint remnants and paint everything and stack the pallets into a bed frame, use the wood crates for shelves. Use a blanket or other items for a mattress, cardboard, or inflatable mattress, used mattresses are also available at segundas nearby.

Go to a mangrove and cut carizo, strip and clean it with a machete, cut into equal lengths, use small nails and or twine to make a decorative table, shade or shelves. Use palm fronds for shade as well.

Collect wood pieces, find a sign or old plywood to use for table tops, use two closed barrels with a piece of wood across for a table or desk cover with cloth or plastic.

These skills are both traditional and artistic as well as can be modernized and should enjoyed by both young and old, all of my furniture is hand-made by me as is much of the furniture in most nomads homes.

Transporting a mattress or desk or bedframe over any long distance is not a feasable or reasonable plan or use of resources.

Blanca think about ways to teach people to be self-sufficient, garden, fish, collect herbs and use available resources and also to contribute to their community and not use asking for donations as a way to plan to survive (wrong message).

If anything these kids are potentially the smartest, strongest, most creative, hardest working contributors to arrive in La Paz. They are their own greatest resource. If they don't have those skills use the time you have with them to teach them to make furniture with recycled items before they leave, then when they arrive they can use those skills to help themselves and also have a skill to help and share with others.

monoloco - 5-16-2013 at 07:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid
You are missing the point, there are about 8 universities in La Paz, many kids come and go, there are also many others in need of all ages.

A plan would be: teach kids to be self-sufficient, don't teach kids to expect a gift from heaven to provide a bed.

I don't suppose anyone has ever given you any help? How is a few pieces of second hand furniture going to be a detriment to these kids? Gimme a break.

CaboMagic - 5-16-2013 at 07:57 AM

Hello Bajablanca .. I'm glad I decided to look at this post.

I/we applaud your efforts .. your life has been 'privileged' and you choose to 'turn around and give back' .. free English lessons! Bravo - we did this early on in CSL (late 90's) for crew members, and it then extended to their family members, relatives, friends which allowed many to secure jobs in the rapidly growing hospitality industry.

We cannot afford to donate to every cause, group, or person that asks .. wish it were possible - but we do support your efforts and applaud you.

dtbushpilot - 5-16-2013 at 07:59 AM

gnukid, if you are against helping the kids why not just ignore the request? What is your motivation in trying to discredit Blanca's efforts?

BajaBlanca - 5-16-2013 at 09:26 AM

Oh my gosh......oh my gosh


Thanks for all the kind words, not even our dog sleeps on the floor. He does have his own bed.

Now, these kids are actually pretty entrepreneurial. The twins make food to sell (sushi etc.), one boy fishes and gives fish to his family as well as sells to others for pocket money. They boys organize car washes ever since i taught them how to do it for the surf club years ago. I have a picture of that which i will hunt down and post because it is one of my favorites. Some of the kids got together and we created a biscotti company - some of you may remember that !

99 % of kids here in La Bocana, i would classify as wealthy, even by American standards. The kids i have worked with, for this past year, are really, no doubt, quite the opposite. Their situation is dire and their need is real. My vision was of A BED, A DESK, A KITCHEN TABLE. And they can be returned after use. And this may all be moot, since my real hope is that they find a family with a room to rent.

I still say gnukid should come here and see the teens abodes. Meet them up close and personal. And then have the heart to tell them to sleep on the floor.

[Edited on 5-16-2013 by BajaBlanca]

luv2fish - 5-16-2013 at 10:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by JohnMcfrog
Don't really get how anyone could define Baja Blanca's efforts to help the kids in Punta Abreojos or La Bocanna is somehow misguided. My wife and I have met them and our hearts go out to her efforts to help. Let's not be negative or play your own agenda when someone is making a positive influence.

There are few enough people who give a hoot about someone else. Please not talk about sleeping on floors etc. Let's see where you are sleeping before we give credence to your BS.

Like the kids, if they get accepted we are going to help.

Junanito


WOW !!!!!!!!!!! UN F@#$ING REAL !!!!
BLANCA YOU GO GIRL, Im sure all your efforts are appreciated,

BajaBlanca - 5-16-2013 at 11:28 AM






This is a picture with the surf club, probably 5 years ago, the very first time we had a big carwash - they made 1500 pesos that day - we were so happy. I want to note that Juanchy and Domingo, cousins and wonderful fishermen, were the 1st 2 to come that morning. Anyone who has fished in La Bocana knows them well. I will never forget their gesture.

On a side note, the kids probably used up half the water in town - they were not used to washing cars or economizing on water ... so it was an opportunity for them to learn about water conservation too.

Actually, it was a town effort on so many levels:

the water company guy gave us free water
an American brought down from US and donated the 2 blue bins we used to store H2O - we did the wash at the main square
the police cordoned off the street for the kids
moms brough sandwiches/drinks/moral support
the local car products store gave the kids a discount on the wax, soap etc.
and of course, most of the kids had no clue how to wash a car properly, so those clients the first day were kind enough to accept less than perfect cars

Nowadays, every kid knows how to do a primo job, even Les who is their most critical customer was satisfied with the job done just last week, by one of the kids (Argenis) from that first carwash. So, the entrepreneurial spirit goes on - Argenis is actually one of the wealthier kids in town and his dad is making him work to pay for his motorcycle races.

paranewbi - 5-16-2013 at 02:40 PM

When I was first out on my own we used those giant leggo things....cinder blocks! Shelf stand, Bed Plywood support, stacked close to form a cube for a small table, best invention ever! Where pretty cheap, don't know what they cost down there but it seems there's a lot of them around those unfinished buildings on the way to La Paz.

BajaBlanca - 5-17-2013 at 08:44 AM

you know, that's not a bad idea for shelves and maybe a table, if we dont get one donated. thanks. i just flashed back to college bigtime !

Ateo - 5-17-2013 at 08:56 AM

I have a mini fridge that's been sitting in storage. It's yours......I just need to find a way to get it down there.

DianaT - 5-17-2013 at 09:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by paranewbi
When I was first out on my own we used those giant leggo things....cinder blocks! Shelf stand, Bed Plywood support, stacked close to form a cube for a small table, best invention ever! Where pretty cheap, don't know what they cost down there but it seems there's a lot of them around those unfinished buildings on the way to La Paz.


OMG --- I had forgotten about that. I think everyone I knew, including me had at least shelves made from cinder blocks and wood planks. We even painted some of the cinder blocks.

In the La Bocana area, cinder blocks are not expensive --- at least they are not expensive in Bahia Asuncion. Wood is not cheap and getting good straight wood without cracks and holes is not easy, even in Vizcaino. But it can be done by going through stacks and stacks of planks. And shoot, since it is for college furniture, maybe they could get some of the less than perfect wood in Vizcanio at a discount???

willardguy - 5-17-2013 at 09:39 AM

cinder blocks or........

rts551 - 5-17-2013 at 09:51 AM

Some of the students that I know in Ensenada use the block and board method. La Paz should have a better selection of wood than locallly.

gnukid - 5-17-2013 at 11:47 AM

My father would often say, if you have something you'd like, make a plan, design how it should look on paper and choose what type of marerials you would like and make a budget for the materials then work to save the money to buy the materials, when you have half the amount tell me and I will help you think of ways for you to earn the second half of the money to buy the marterials to build the project. Using this method I built my first bed frame for a waterbed and shelves for headboard, later a wooden go cart then a sunfish from a kit etc.

I often think about the long history of La Paz and how people arrived there, some by boat, some by land and they had very few resources, so they devised tools from rocks and shells and they used those tools to build structures and cook the food they gathered. I am one of those people.

From Asuncion to La Paz and south there are many resources to gather to build furniture, I made a game of it, gathering materials, square or flat sided rocks, sticks, carizo, palms, wood crates and pallets, and used those to try to build a piece of furniture every day, it's very rewardiing and costs nothing.

I made this simple ladder type thing from palo verde I cut and used twine to build a netting support for books across the ladder rungs, these became popular for decorative book shelves. Gringos like them too.

Now when we look across the horizon we don't see a barren desert, we see resources and we see also tools everywhere. One friend in particular, Pancho, he can pickup and identify indian artifacts nearly everywhere while others overlook them.

I also often carry a bucket or old feed bag to gather various types of soil from other locations such as from the mountains back home to help enrich the sandy soil where I live to make a garden that will provide a huge amount of food for someone. I gather seeds too, a salad plate will have leftover tomato and cucumber seed that can be dried and used to plant etc.

I did have a vision of people coming to La Paz to view and participate in these traditional practices and methods of resourceful furniture making, palapa building, and gardening much like tourists going to Cuba to watch cigar makers.

The only problem is many people have been taught if you act incompetent, poor and lazy and just sit there lamenting your position in life, a gringo will feel sorry for you and give you money.

If you want to help these kids, encourage them to work and save money to buy a small saw, machete or knife and a hammer: estimated budget $200 pesos. They will appreciate it one day.

BajaBlanca - 5-17-2013 at 06:14 PM

They came over today and worked for us.

They washed all the windows at the B&B.

Swept and mopped.

I am VERY happy and so are they.

BajaBlanca - 5-17-2013 at 06:22 PM

Willard guy! I bet they would love to work towards making that table !

Ateo - thanks for a VERY kind offer! As soon as we find out that they are accepted, we can figure out a way to get it here. Gracias.

EngineerMike - 5-23-2013 at 02:57 PM

Blanca- are there any that have grades sufficient to get a beca for the Casa de Estudiantes? Space is limited, but if their grades are great, its room & board. We've had a number of Mulege area kids get in. Email me if you think you have candidates. Our students who got in had puro diezes or pretty close to it.

Gnukid- I'm with you, but why stop w/students? Throw those old folks out in the street. If they didn't save enough for old age, we should make an example of them, right? Let 'em scrounge w/the dogs, and make sure younger people see it so they learn that don't nobody help nobody round here and its everybody for himself. I'm all for entrepreneurism dude, but just every so more or less occasionally, some human being helps another one out. And maybe some kid will learn that one person can help another out and it won't push the earth entirely off its axis and send us all out into space to die horrible freezing deaths. Or maybe a little interpersonal kindness will kill us all, who knows.

Kgryfon - 5-23-2013 at 08:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by EngineerMike
Blanca- are there any that have grades sufficient to get a beca for the Casa de Estudiantes? Space is limited, but if their grades are great, its room & board. We've had a number of Mulege area kids get in. Email me if you think you have candidates. Our students who got in had puro diezes or pretty close to it.

Gnukid- I'm with you, but why stop w/students? Throw those old folks out in the street. If they didn't save enough for old age, we should make an example of them, right? Let 'em scrounge w/the dogs, and make sure younger people see it so they learn that don't nobody help nobody round here and its everybody for himself. I'm all for entrepreneurism dude, but just every so more or less occasionally, some human being helps another one out. And maybe some kid will learn that one person can help another out and it won't push the earth entirely off its axis and send us all out into space to die horrible freezing deaths. Or maybe a little interpersonal kindness will kill us all, who knows.


Exactly. I currently have 4 students living with me in the US. They are all deserving and come from chitty family situations. All of them are going to school to better themselves. All of them will eventually be amazing contributors to society. Or, I could kick them out and they would end up in dead end, low skill jobs if they are lucky, and their potential would never be realized. It's called paying it forward, or backwards, or whatever. Nobody helped me and it made my life and that of my kids that much harder. I aim to do better now that I have the means to do so. I guess they should all sleep in the gutter and eat garbage from trash bins. That would teach them! What, I'm not sure. I guess you have it all figured out.

BajaBlanca - 5-24-2013 at 06:45 AM

E Mike

they all have excellent grades and could conceivably get in the casa del estudiante BVUT, there is a lot of politics. I have heard (years ago) of students who are kicked out in the middle of their studies for someone else's nephew or cousin or friend. And then I would be the one panicking.

Kgryfon - I am so happy that you are helping kids out by letting them live with you while they study! How very amazing is that!

So you dont want cash? :-)

mcfez - 5-24-2013 at 01:15 PM

Here's a tough question for you BajaBlanca: how much cash per student for the items in need?

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
Please hang onto any unwanted beds, tables, desks, sheets, towels, dishes, silverware, pots n pans until end of July, if you can


There is a group of 5 disadvantaged students from La Bocana/ Punta Abreojos who may need them when they head off to college in La Paz this August! We will only know if they passed the entrance exam on the 15 July.


And if you are religious, please pray that they pass. They have worked very hard towards this goal.

Thanks in advance.

BajaBlanca - 5-24-2013 at 05:32 PM

Nope. No cash. Just extras that someone might have sitting in a garage. And NADA until we know for sure, July 15, if the kids are headed to La Paz. But, thanks for asking!

windgrrl - 5-25-2013 at 06:34 AM

Giving and helping others to find a way of giving is very kind. The action of sharing something - time, knowledge, material goods or good fortune makes community strong.

On my 18th birthday, I received a suitcase from my family...a signal to leave home? Anyway...I had been taught the skills to make it on my own, but many people helped me and believed in me many ways. Everyday I ask myself I what I have given this day to help leave the world a better place than I found it.

I admire your community-minded spirit, BB.

[Edited on 5-25-2013 by windgrrl]

BajaBlanca - 6-11-2013 at 05:23 PM

Ok amigos - the teens took their university entrance exam and three of them thought the test was easy. Since they have straight A's, are very bright and down to Earth, i am pretty sure they will be accepted at La Paz UABCS university. Fingers are crossed.

Going on that assumption, i would like to know if i can round up from those of you living near La Paz or able to deliver once they confirm acceptance July 15 and find a place, a pledge to donate some furniture/appliances

Can we start with 3 beds? And 3 fridges? 3 stoves?

If we can't get these basics, then they will have to rent furnished places, which will up the monthly costs.

Ateo, want to come visit July 16 or so ?

Again, nothing is going anywhere til the kids get formally accepted. I am just trying to get a feel for what is available! Gracias y que les vaya bien!

BajaBlanca - 7-22-2013 at 05:05 PM

YAHOOOOOOOO !!! The great news is that they all passed ! Four teens got into the college of first choice and one has to decide on another campus .....

Three of them were able to rent furnished apts. no worries.

Two boys have rented unfurnished places and here is the wish list we have NOT been able to fulfill yet:

2 gas cylinders ... anyone in La Paz can help out with these ????
1 desk ....

they have beds and if woody can bring down Ateos's fridge then we have both fridges, they have stoves, they have kitchenware, they have pillows sheets and towels. In August I will get some pics and then I will have a better idea of what else they might need.

These kids are really cool kids - they really need all the support we can give them! They are as poor as you can get without being homeless.

woody with a view - 7-22-2013 at 06:30 PM

i got your pots. mom said she had some other stuff for tomorrow. don't know if it will fit in the camry so i might have to get it on sat. what do i tell the aduana if they ask? pay the tax?

BajaBlanca - 7-22-2013 at 07:46 PM

Pay the tax, but I dont think there will be one.

Mom has another duffel with stuff for the teens .... Dish racks, a cutting board, a fan ... It is all household stuff and never taxed. Bia told her you had plenty of room .... Saturday is fine for pickup ...

Thanks, loads!

Mulegena - 7-22-2013 at 09:33 PM

I have a new full-size propane gas cylinder, Blanca.

How can we get it down to La Paz?

BajaBlanca - 7-23-2013 at 09:07 AM

you do ?!!! fantastic ! let me talk to the boys and see how we can schedule a pickup. They will be heading down around Aug 6th ... with a loaner pickup with their beds and the stuff i have given them in it....that would probably be the perfect solution.

THANKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Mulegena

Mulegena - 7-23-2013 at 03:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
you do ?!!! fantastic ! let me talk to the boys and see how we can schedule a pickup. They will be heading down around Aug 6th ... with a loaner pickup with their beds and the stuff i have given them in it....that would probably be the perfect solution.

THANKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Mulegena


Sounds like plan in the making.
We'll make this happen.
Thanks. M

Floor fans

Mulegena - 7-23-2013 at 04:05 PM

La Paz is h-o-t-- especially for these kids who've grown up on the cool Pacific Coast.

They are sooo gonna need fans. Anybody got some to share?

BajaBlanca - 7-23-2013 at 04:32 PM

My mom is donating one that woody is bringing down.

I gave them my little but really strong one.

((((((((: Mulegena is on the right track though !!!! Forward thinking.

we really need another gas cylinder .... Les tells me they run around $1500 pesos .... check around .... ask your neighbors, please.

Pancho y Julian

Mulegena - 8-3-2013 at 12:07 PM

I met the Happy Wanderers this morning as they set out for UNIVERSITY!!!

Two bright young men stopped by my house this morning to pick up the gas cylinder I had sitting in my garage.

They're on their way to La Paz in a borrowed pickup with a load of used furniture with which they'll set up their first apartment.

What fine young people they are. I'm certain they'll make a great contribution to Mexico and consequently to the world at large. Life is ahead of them, and it looks good.

They have a long road ahead of hard studies and learning to live in a big city, adjusting from the cool coastal climate they've grown up in to the hot bustling city of La Paz.

I'm sure they'll do fine.
I'm pleased to have made two new friends.
To have been given this opportunity to give a hand to deserving young people is an honor.

Thank you, Blanca!

BajaBlanca - 8-3-2013 at 02:05 PM

Thanks Mulegena ! It was wonderful of you to donate the cylinder .... they really need all the help they can get. Did you see the desk we donated ? Did you see the mirror we donated? Did you see the dresser right out of our spare room to Les's utter surprise LOL ????

The only item left is a stove .... anyone got a used one lying around? Preferably someone in La Paz ? We thought the rental had one but Alfonso heard it doesn't. Positive thoughts out for a stove !

My heart is proud but it is also ever so heavy as I will miss these boys beyond what any words can convey )))):

When Julian found out he had been accepted, his first words were: " Now to prove I deserve this."

He lost his mom 2 years ago, I cannot imagine what it is like to lose your mom at such a young age ... and so unexpectedly.

Thanks again Mulegena - today you are an ANGEL !

BajaBlanca - 8-3-2013 at 02:11 PM

Next week Paul will be bringing down a small fridge donated by ATEO .... so both boys will have fridges ....this is huge and thanks to all for making this happen.

Tomorrow we go to Asuncion to pick up a huge load of stuff that my mom is donating to the teens (dish drains, shampoos, toothbrushes, fans and much much more) - all brought down by MAS OLAS !!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much, Woody. Tomorrow you are the ANGEL (((: