Lake Chapala Ajijic Area, México Children's Charities Information

by Charlene Kidd

The Lake Chapala/Ajijic area has many children's charities worthy and in need of your help. As you may expect, old México still has a wide gap between the upper and lower classes, with a large majority of poorer citizens. This part of central México however, has an advantage in that so many "gringos" have retired here, and are so willing to help the local children that need it. The locals know that learning English can help them in their future as they become working citizens, and they can have fun at the same time by taking an English class. Pictured here is an English as a Second Language (ESL) class for a bunch of younger Mexicans. It can be a very rewarding experience as it helps many families, including the English speaker teaching the kids! The local Baptist Church (766-0375 or 765-2925) offers these classes to all ages, call Marcee to find out more.

Visiting a local orphanage can also be heart warming as well as heart wrenching. You'll soon see that in spite of the poverty, warm smiles and friendly souls abound. The children are truly appreciative of what they receive and you can feel true satisfaction when you give of yourself to them. The needs are great but so are the rewards. Here we've compiled a summary of several children's charities so you can try to decide where to give.

Mision San Pablo Orphanage – home to HIV-negative children ages 4-14. Most were orphaned when their HIV-positive parents &/or siblings died due to AIDS. It's located between Ajijic and Guadalajara in Cedros (on the main highway at the NW corner with a blue gate). When discovered a couple of years ago by the foreign community, they had enough food to feed the kids only once a day. Now, the large grocery store in Chapala, the Soriana, donates food items every Saturday and someone from SuperLake also brings a sack of food once a week. There is still more help needed though and the “Amigos” donation group is very interested in any help you could give. Call Bettina at 766-0398 for a visit or to work directly with the children, call Sheila at 766-5170. To help with food for the children call Ron at 766-4633 and visit their newly started website.

Los Niños de Chapala y Ajijic – Ajijic Project Office, call Elsa (376) 766-1688, M-F/9-5, or Beverly at 766-0451 and help sponsor a child’s education. Join the scholarship program and give monthly, quarterly, or annually. They also have The Thrift Shop which helps support the program, "El Bazar de los Niños" at Hidalgo 95B in Riberas del Pilar, call Lori at 765-3147. Shop there and donate your unwanted clothing or items.

Los Niños & Jovenes - San Juan Cosala Orphanage weekly food & clothing delivery caravan, call Rudy, a retired American at the Racquet Club, 387-761-0384 or Rueben from Rueben’s Grill at the Villa Bordeaux Spa next to the hot springs, 01-387-761-0606.

HELP – "Handicapped Equestrian Learning Program" meets in lower La Floresta at the horse rental area on Camino Real. Call Jim at 765-6918 to help volunteer on Friday’s at 10 a.m. with the handicapped children on horseback.

Lakeside School for the Deaf – meets each 4th of the month at La Nueva Posada, 10:30a.m. for a house tour. Call 766-2280, 2592, or 2274 for reservations. They provide education, hearing aids, food, and also give to ‘challenged’ children.

Samaritains Sans Frontiéres – Collects school supplies for needy children of the area, 1 pm Saturday’s at the Chapala Plaza.

Niños Incapacitados - sponsors needy, disabled children with special medical needs. Attend the monthly (Sept.-June) meetings at 10 a.m., the 1st Thursday of each month at La Nueva Posada in Ajijic. Or call Robin at 766-3070 or -2741. They are looking for new members, volunteers, and donors to help needy Mexican families so visit the website for information on them.

Lake Chapala Society – sponsors students toward higher education, teaches English as a second language, cooking, Spanish, and computers, at the Wilkes Library Center, Galeana 18, 766-2940. They have children’s art programs on Saturday’s at the LCS grounds, 10 - noon, 16 de Septiembre 16-A. This is where it all started in Ajijic toward helping children 50 years ago. Call 766-1140 or visit their webpages for more information.

There is also a small orphanage in Chapala, 1 block S. of the Soriana at 76 Pedro Moreno, Chapala and one up in on the mountain run by the Pentecostal Church in Chapala. Call Vince at the Lake Chapala Baptist Church (766-0375 or 765-2925) for information on that one. He'll have to take you there himself, since the roads wind around so much.

We went there with Vince and took some of the children to the Animal Shelter in Riberas del Pilar for dog walking, bird viewing, and to pet the kittens in the cat pens. They are truly happy children, even in their situation, and they sang songs together as we drove. They absolutely love music. It's a terrific experience.

These charities are worthwhile facilities and organizations that need and deserve your help. Feel free to visit as many as you are able, to give back to the community that offers you such a warm retirement lifestyle. The children truly enjoy and need your help. The benefits are great for everyone when you participate in these sweet little ones lives. Welcome to some of the best of old México.