Change a kid's life for $15 a month

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In 2010 in the Bay of Banderas, there was one art teacher for every 3,210 elementary students, and one for every 233 middle school students in public schools, according to SEPEN Servicios de Educación Publica del Estado de Nayarit: Estadísiticas Geográficas. PEACE, a local non-profit, opens this door for local youth, providing them with the opportunity to learn about the arts through daily after school programs.

PEACE believes that after school programs increase academic achievement, productive work habits and motivation in students. The 2011 program was kicked off on January 31st with record numbers. Students from six different schools in Emiliano Zapata, Corral del Risco, Higuera Blanca and Bucerias participate in theater, sports, art, ecology and homework clubs, free of charge.

53% of community members of these towns, and throughout the Bay of Banderas were born in a different municipality or state, and often, immigrated to find jobs building the sprouting hotels and developments (Plan Municipal de desarrollo Bahia de Banderas 2008 – 2011: V Diagnóstico: La situación actual de Bahía de Banderas.)
“These children often come from specific rural educational contexts with particular learning needs, cultural backgrounds and low literacy levels,” said Nikhol Esteras Roberts, Director of Casa Comunidad, PEACE’s education program. “They often need extra academic assistance and homework help.”

One child can attend the PEACE after school program every day for a month for $179 pesos or $15 USD.
"All of the children that participate in our after school program have such incredible enthusiasm for learning in our interactive non-formal educational setting,” said Esteras Roberts. “Our amazing teachers inspire their students and encourage them to be active players in both their individual and collective learning processes. We see amazing transformations and moments of discovery every single day!”

To sponsor a child, or learn more about the program, contact nikhol@peacemexico.org.


PEACE: Protection, Education, Animals, Culture and Environment, is a nonprofit organization established in 2005, made of three main programs which focus on education, entrepreneurship, animal well-being, and community engagement in the coastal regions of Nayarit, Jalisco and Quintana Roo, Mexico. Through innovative and community based programs, PEACE is working to improve the quality of life in local communities throughout the Bahía de Banderas. For more information, visit www.peacemexico.org.