By Robin Loving

For people in some countries, death is mourned. No doubt it is emotionally difficult to lose our beloveds, but in Mexico, families and friends gather to celebrate their dearly departed in a colorful expression of altars of tribute. 

This year, President-elect Jose de Anda, who helped to found and then presided over the local Rotaract Club of younger Rotarians, connected our club with that one to create an alter in tribute to friends and family members of both our clubs. Between the two clubs, 18 people contributed to the development of an ofrenda (altar), not counting those who donated for its expenses nor the City’s employees who brought flowers for its use.

The fellow who led this effort for Rotaract was Luis Carbajo, who said, “We appreciate the designer of the altar, who incorporated food, flowers and seeds to honor our dearly departed. Juapi made the design, including various symbols of our indigenous as well as symbols from today’s religions. This syncretism connected cultures through the ages. We are grateful for all who participated in whatever way.”

Enjoy these photos and join in the fun next year!

by Robin Loving

Let’s call this the year of the Margarita -- not the kind folks drink, but a Margarita Movement nevertheless! (Margarita means Daisy in Spanish) The Margarita Movement is Rotary’s Girls’ Empowerment Program for 5th-6th-grade to ensure they may remain with their peers and not fall behind due to a lack of personal supplies essential to them.

The Margarita Movement supports Rotary’s Girls’ Empowerment Program for 5th and 6th grade girls.  Many girls drop out of school when they reach puberty due to the lack of what other girls and women take for granted: personal supplies. You can give these girls parity, opportunity – the chance to stay in school and excel, all through a reuseable kit that will allow girls not to miss school a week each month.

The Margarita Movement is a new monthly giving campaign dedicated to advancing menstrual equity: providing girls what they need, and thereby empowering to reclaim their dignity, protect their health, and unlock opportunities to stay in school, learn, and thrive. It accompanies a 10-hour course we administer in Guanajuato schools during the school day with the approval of the state board of education.

Margarita means daisy, and daisies symbolize hope and new beginnings. Plant seeds of change and nurture futures filled with promise by becoming part of this important initiative. Girls belong in school!

The Margarita Movement is part of Rotary’s Girls’ Empowerment Program, which has reached 4,000 girls aged 10-12 in grades five and six in 120 schools since January 2023. This has been done during the school day with permission of the Secretary of education in more 200 interactive workshops focused on building self-esteem and confidence while educating girls about their path to womanhood.  

For just $20 USD a month, two girls can be provided a safe, reliable, reusable menstrual kit that lasts up to three years! A recurring gift of $20 USD/month enables 24 girls to get kits! Generosity can provide girls the freedom to focus on their education, remain with their peer group, and dream of bright futures. In other words, it can empower the future of half of an entire state!

​Together, we can keep girls in the classroom, because every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and blossom into a bright future. Look at these outstanding values:

• $20 USD/month = 2 Girls each month = 24 Girls a year
• $50 USD/month = 5 Girls each month = 60 Girls a year
• $100 USD/month = 10 Girls each month = 120 Girls a year

Every gift makes a huge difference in the life of a girl. Join us and share this campaign with everyone you know.  Click HERE for more details about the campaign

Thank you for empowering girls to return to and stay in school!

Rotary is where neighbors, friends and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change. For more information, contact Project Manager Jose de Anda at [email protected].

​By Sharon Doherty

Most of us can remember a teacher who made a real difference in our lives, someone whose warmth, patience, and sense of humor helped us discover a love of learning. But imagine how much more powerful that connection can be when you are a Deaf child meeting a teacher who is also Deaf, who understands your world and your language completely. Laura is one such teacher.

Her story begins when her parents enrolled her at EEESMA School for the Deaf in 2013, at the tender age of fourteen. Before that, Laura had limited access to formal education. Like so many Deaf children in México, she came from a family with limited financial means, and her only option was to sit silently in a public-school classroom. Her teachers, through no fault of their own, did not know sign language, and her parents had not had the opportunity to learn it either. 

For a young child, that meant living in a world with very little communication, a world of isolation and quiet frustration. But Laura’s story takes a hopeful turn. With remarkable perseverance, determination, and a bright, curious mind, Laura began to thrive at EEESMA School for the Deaf. There, for the first time, she could communicate freely in Mexican Sign Language and truly understand what her teachers were teaching. Her hearing teachers, trained in sign language and deeply dedicated, came from places such as Irapuato, México City, and Colima. Together, they created a nurturing environment that allowed Laura and her classmates to succeed. EEESMA became the first school of its kind in the State of Guanajuato, offering Deaf students not only an education but also a sense of belonging and pride in who they are.

After graduating from high school, Laura dreamed of going to university, but that dream came with enormous challenges. Attending classes in person would require a full-time sign language interpreter and tutors to help her navigate complex academic concepts, resources far beyond her family’s reach. Then, unexpectedly, a door opened.

After the pandemic, online education became more common in México. For the first time, Laura could imagine pursuing a degree virtually, with the support of her former teachers and mentors at EEESMA, who offered to interpret and guide her along the way in an EEESMA classroom during school hours. With their help, the support of her family and her own determination, Laura successfully earned her Undergraduate Degree in Education, a remarkable accomplishment.

To understand just how extraordinary this is, it helps to know that according to INEGI, México’s national statistics agency, only about 4.1% of Deaf people in México ever attend higher education. Most face barriers such as a lack of early access to sign language, few Deaf-friendly schools, and minimal educational support. Laura’s achievement stands as a powerful example of what is possible when opportunity, positivity and cooperation come together. Twelve years after her first day at EEESMA, Laura’s life has come full circle. Today, she is a qualified teacher at the very same school where she once sat as a young student, now guiding the youngest children in the primary classroom. Her role is profound: teaching her students Mexican Sign Language, their first language, while helping them learn to read and write in Spanish, their second language.

Most of all, Laura has become an inspiring role model for every child at EEESMA. Her success shows them, and their families, that being Deaf is not a limitation but a source of strength and pride. Through her story, Laura reminds us all that with access to language, education, and love, every Deaf child can grow into a confident, capable adult, a person who not only thrives but helps others do the same.

At EEESMA School for the Deaf, our mission, in addition to providing an academic education in sign language, is to help every Deaf child discover their potential and achieve the level of success they dream of. For some, that dream may be to continue to university; for others, it may mean learning valuable vocational skills offered by EEESMA such as computer technology, woodworking, jewelry making or leather crafting. Whatever their path, each child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and build a fulfilling future with confidence and pride.

​The school relies entirely on grants, donations and fundraising events to support its operations and programs. We hope you will choose to be part of a Deaf child’s life-changing journey.

Learn more about EEESMA School for the Deaf, located at Umarán 107, and how your support helps open doors for Deaf children. Visit www.eeesma.com

by Tom Murlowski

​Try to imagine doing all you do each day without the use of a hand…
​
That is life for many people who have either been born without hands or have lost them due to unfortunate circumstances. But, Rotary has a solution: prosthetic hands donated by the Ellen Meadows Prosthetic Hand Foundation, which provides prosthetic hands at no cost to anyone needing one.

When Ellen Meadows passed away, her father created the LN4 prosthetic hand. In collaboration with Rotary International and others since 2006, more than 84,000 hands have been distributed and fitted in 100 countries on six continents.

The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday has participated in this effort for two years, providing and fitting 29 prosthetic hands so far. On October 25, members Jose de Anda, Tom Murlowski and Layla Wright-Contreras met with Rotaract Queretaro members to gift and fit two prosthetic hands for Arturo, who lost a hand in a fire, and Carlos, who was born with only one hand.

Jose gave instruction on how to use the hands, and then helped carefully fit and test them. Then, the two men practiced using their hands with a variety of utensils and tools, including pens and paper. Arturo wrote his wife's name, and Carlos chose to doodle a cartoon.

It was marvelous watching them realize how useful their new hands were. The joy shared by these two men was palpable, and an important lesson in how much most of us take for granted. Joked Carlos, “This helps me overcome my ‘factory defect.’” 

More information is available here

by Tom Murlowski

​I've known at least a dozen women in my life – including my mother! – who all shared a similar experience: Because of cultural and religious biases and misplaced shame, none of them had any idea what was happening when they had their first menstrual period. One can imagine how frightening that must have been.

​In October, I was privileged to observe the graduation ceremony for The Girls’ Empowerment Program at the primary school in Sosnabar, a rural community near San Miguel. The program teaches fifth- and sixth-grade girls about the changes taking place in their bodies as they become young women by using creative educational materials and a curriculum in the “Niñas Sabias Program” – the Wise Girls Program. 

Twenty girls attended the graduation ceremony during the final two-hour module of the five-day program, led by their teacher, Arlene, who led the girls and visitors in appealing to the four corners of the Earth and honoring the Four Elements: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. This was meant to connect the changes in their bodies with the inherent magic of life and nature.

Then came the careful construction of a mandala – a circle symbolic of a spiritual journey. Inside it, the girls created representations in the shape of a woman's reproductive system with fresh flower petals and seeds the girls contributed. Then, each girl offered a piece of personal artwork to the circle with a drawing about what they learned in the workshop. 

It was wonderful to watch them joyfully collaborating in this unique and beautiful expression. The graduation event concluded with the gifting of reusable menstrual hygiene kits that last up to three years. In addition to teaching the girls to be proud of who they are and instilling self-confidence, the program informs the girls so they have a much better chance of successfully completing their educations. 

Our observing Rotary team included Project Manager and President-Elect Jose de Anda, Member Evelyn Grewal, two visiting Rotarians from the 49ers Club in California, and New Member Tom Murlowski.

This program is just one of Rotary Midday Club’s eight projects serving our community. Rotary’s involvement during the school day has been approved by the Secretary of Education of the State of Guanajuato. It is funded and administered by the Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday and a $91,000 USD global grant from The Rotary Foundation. 

​The program has educated and equipped almost 4,000 girls since January 2023. 

By Tom Murlowski

Our Rotary Club is celebrated in more than one country for its ability to identify local problems, muster local and international support to alleviate them, and attract global grants from The Rotary Foundation to catalyze that support.

​The global grant that probably put Rotary Midday ‘on the map’ was the Rainwater Harvesting Project. Since 2008, between the rainwater harvesting and dry composting toilets projects, Rotary Midday has received almost $650,000 USD in funding with global & district grants. This translated to the ability to build more than 1,500 rainwater catchment systems and 150 dry composting toilets in low-income communities around San Miguel.

We also have an extremely successful Girls' Empowerment Program, where we received more than $90,000 USD in a global grant to be able to reach almost 3,600 5th and 6th grade girls in schools around San Miguel in order to provide them education and materials to empower and propel them to further their education.

This past year, we also received a global grant for $93,000 USD to provide the Lee Carter Hospice Center with equipment, furniture and training. 

In addition, the Escuela de Educación Especial, founded by our member, John Doherty, has received more than $180,000 USD for equipment and vocational training from global grants.

Most recently, we received more than $62,000 USD in a global grant for the APOYO Skills for Success Trade School, which will teach eight different subjects from 
English to electricity to more than 320 individuals over the next two years.

And we just submitted our newest global grant application for the Watershed Education Program to teach children, youth, and families how to improve the local ecosystem as managers of change by promoting an understanding and respect for nature.

We are getting about 1,700% return on every dollar we contribute to the Rotary Foundation which awards global grants, so it’s important to keep the Foundation financially sound to ensure future successes. 

The Rotary Foundation has been proven to be ethical, transparent and sustainable, so know we may donate to it with confidence. That has been proven by Charity Navigator, which has bestowed 15 consecutive four-star ratings on the Foundation.

Tom Schneider knows a lot about peace! From promoting peace to children in five countries to being the driving force behind peace poles in two countries, Tom has become an icon for peace in our time.

After developing a coalition to install a peace pole in his second home of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico, years ago, Tom began manifesting his dream of a similarly impactful peace pole in his primary home of Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. That vison materialized Sunday, September 21, the United Nations’ International Day of Peace.

Working with the municipality and Interactors – Rotary’s junior-high- and high school-aged members – Tom’s vision became one of 300,000 other peace poles in the world. The City created the base – a three-meter, circular cement pad stamped with salmon swimming in a circle. The, the Interactors planted the adjacent garden with native species.

The Peace Pole itself was crafted from a red-heart cedar tree trunk shaped into a hexagon engraved with May Peace Prevail on Earth in 12 languages which represent Nelson's history, diversity and inclusiveness. 

Two of the languages were Japanese and Russian, for Canada's only internment camp museum is in the area, so there's quite a population of people of Japanese descent there. And the Doukabors who escaped persecution in Russia in the late 1800's make Russian the second most spoken language in Canada. They hold to pacifist ideals and rejection of materialism.

This Sunday, Tom and friends will plant the first Hiroshima Peace Tree, a ginko biloba, nearby. Tom has been growing it for five years.

The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende -Midday's Fellowship Committee organized a delightful excursion to Rancho Los Remedios that brought together 22 members and guests for an afternoon of fellowship, fine wine, and fascinating history. The visit showcased one of our region's newest wineries, offering members a perfect blend of culture, cuisine, and camaraderie.

Rancho Los Remedios, which opened its doors in April 2023, is nestled within a magnificent 350-year-old hacienda that once served as a rest stop for train passengers in the 1800s. Owners Luis Gonzales and his wife Ingrid Rosas, former partners in the nearby Viñedo San Miguel, have lovingly restored this historic property into a world-class winery while preserving its colonial charm.

The estate features not only the beautifully restored hacienda but also two historic chapels, creating an atmosphere that transports visitors back to Mexico's colonial era. The property sits just 15 minutes south of San Miguel de Allende, making it an easily accessible escape into the countryside.

Our Rotarian gathering centered around a delightful lunch featuring artisanal pizzas and fresh salads, perfectly paired with selections from Los Remedios' impressive wine portfolio. Members had the opportunity to sample several varieties, including their signature Moscatel dry white wine, elegant Merlot rosé, and their acclaimed Syrah.

Following lunch, members toured the stunning property, which extends far beyond the winery itself. The grounds feature beautiful tree-lined paths that follow the historic El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the 400-year-old trade route that once connected Mexico City to the American Southwest. The property also includes two ancient chapels as well as modern amenities such as two guestrooms, paddle court, and swimming pool, all thoughtfully integrated into the historic landscape. It is frequently a wedding venue. The winery serves as both a destination for wine enthusiasts and the centerpiece of a residential community that celebrates Mexico's viticultural heritage.

​Thanks to Kathy Zapata and the Fellowship Committee for selecting this lovely venue and organizing the visit. It provided members with an enriching experience that perfectly embodied Rotary's spirit of fellowship while supporting local business and celebrating our region's rich cultural heritage. The afternoon reminded us all why San Miguel de Allende continues to attract visitors from around the world – and why we're fortunate to call this remarkable place home.

Thanks to the California 49ers Club, President-Elect Jose de Anda and President Andrea Spessard just ordered hundreds more reusable menstrual management kids for more than a score more schools to empower girls to become confident, educated women. These will be distributed beginning in the second week of September when school is in session again. 

​Find out more about the Girls' Empowerment Program.