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F.O.P.A.
NEWSLETTER |
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FRIENDS OF
PUERTO AVENTURAS Providing educational opportunities while fostering a stronger sense of community November, 2005 A harrowing two hurricanes later, F.O.P.A. is still in operation. The shape of the world has changed drastically but we are coping with the modifications. We lost the building we have occupied for more than seven years. When Hurricane Emily removed the roof, we salvaged what was possible. Many of the books survived. Some of the computers were lost. The union that owns the building has not yet made repairs, but we have secured a temporary classroom, paying rent until Christmas. Other solutions will have to be sought if the original building is not repaired by then, or if the union should decide not to house us again. After Hurricane Emily, we could quickly address the most urgent needs of the poblado by appealing for building materials. F.O.P.A. was able to accept funds for rebuilding because we had already established administrative channels for donations. and were able to put assistance where it was most needed. The building fund had been closed and distribution had begun, and we were back to needing funds to continue our education efforts when the next hurricane hit. Hurricane Wilma lasted 48 hours longer than Hurricane Emily, and caused much more harm. Water damage was most prevalent, and luckily nobody was hurt. With this extra blow to the infrastructure, we have been hard pressed to provide more relief, and are relying on the larger organizations to provide basic assistance. The F.O.P.A. job list continues to be published, which is now more imortant than ever since many workers have been laid off. Power has been restored, and we are able to continue the children's classes and the evening computer classes, but have had to hold off on the Adult english classes for lack of a teacher and limited space. This weekend our semi-annual bazaar was held at the home of a resident of the poblado. As always, the spirit of the people in the village is phenomenal. All are eager to help each other and themselves, and it continues to be a worthwhile task to assistt such people. Please visit www.educentro.org for updates and news of our activities. Your comments are always welcome, and we invite your contributions. Send your Firends of Puerto Aventuras check to: Paul Ramsey, 500 West 43rd St., Apt. 30E, New York, NY 10036, USA or to F.O.P.A., A.P. #23, Puerto Aventuras, Q. Roo 77750, MEXICO Friends of Puerto Aventuras Board of Directors Richard Coburn, Sally Evans, Barbara Griswold, Lee Knudtson, Paul Ramsey |
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