Barbara was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada. She did her nursing training in Halifax and over the next 10 years nursed in Halifax and Montreal.

She eventually moved to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where she specialized in cardiovascular nursing and went on to obtain her Masters in Nursing degree from the University of Alberta.

She held a variety of positions following her graduation and finally retired from the Health Department, Alberta Government.

Barbara and her husband, Wayne moved to Lakeside in 2005. Barbara enjoys golfing (although she is quick to add her handicap is high). She is currently the Secretary on the Board of Directors in her community of Chapala Haciendas.

She has always loved a challenge and so when offered an opportunity to be a Buyer’s Only Realtor, she took up that challenge with enthusiasm.

She and Wayne built their home here so she’s well qualified to discuss building your own home here. Barbara’s knowledge of the area and of Lakeside is extensive.

She has five years of practical experience not one year five times because she’s an insatiable learner. Let Barbara put her knowledge to work for you.

I hope you get to meet Barbara soon, but in the meantime enjoy our video Interview with her below.

All for now. If you’d like to hook up with Barbara to answer your questions, schedule a gratis Lake Chapala area tour or find out more about any aspect of living, working, and playing in our little slice of paradise just send an e mail to me at Sid@ChapalaClub.com … and put Barbara in the subject line so It will jump out at me when I check my e mails so I can be sure and give your e mail priority treatment.

Siempre tu amigo,

In Chapala

Lake Chapala Inn – www.mexonline.com/chapalainn.htm

This Inn is on the Malecon in downtown Chapala with a swimming pool, lovely rooms, and your host and owner is named Alicia. Alicia is short of stature but stands tall in hospitality. You can walk all over downtown Chapala from this old world charm Inn.

In Ajijic

La Paloma B and B www.lapalomabb.com

This Bed and Breakfast Hotel has 7 very nice room

s each with private bath, a large pool, several lounges, high speed wireless internet (bring your own lap top with wireless card), and a guest kitchen for making your own snacks or meals.

The guests rave about the delicious breakfasts, the friendly atmosphere, and the convenience of being able to walk all over the village of Ajijic. Walk to shops, a 3 screen movie in English, Pharmacy, small supermarket, and nice restaurants.

Casa Blanca Bed and Breakfast Hotel

www.casablancaajijic.com

Nice rooms in the heart of Ajijic village directly across the street from the popular Lake Chapala Society www.lakechapalasociety.org) –

The area abounds in small shops, art galleries, and small restaurants.

Owned and Operated by an Armenian gentlemen and his family named Joseph who prides himself on excellent service to his guests who come back again and again.

Estrellitas’s Bed & Breakfast (The Little Stars)

Pretty Rooms with Lots of Mexican Charm. Owned and Operated by Lorraine Pasini.

Located in the heart of Ajijic Village next to the Lake Chapala Society within walking distance of shops, restaurants etc.

www.EstrelitasInAjijic.Com

Mexican Tel. # (376) 766 0917

Las Flores –

www.casafloresajijic.com

This is a new addition to our list of B and B’s which has been recommended by our clients. We’ve heard about it from so many recent clients that we took a look at their website and it looks like another great pick.

Casita Montana Bed & Breakfast is run by long-time American resident Anne Dyer, and is located in the heart of Ajijic,   USA Tel 918  770  4089

http://www.casitamontana.com/

Ajijic Suites

on Hidalgo in Ajijic

All rooms have well equipped kitchenettes, en suite baths, fans and hotel standard linens. A pretty central courtyard garden with cantera fountain makes an ideal haven to relax, read, watch the hummingbirds, or enjoy a drink and snack in secluded peace and quiet.

http://www.ajijicsuites.com/rezeasy.html

guera5164@gmail.com.

In San Antonio Tlayacapan

Lori’s B & B Guest House

Independecia  #138  in San Antonio Tlayacapa located between Chapala and Ajijic

USA call 011 52 376 766 4266 <bnbmargarita@yahoo.com>

No Referral yet for this intimate, pretty guest house as it’s a brand new one as of December 2009.

There are just two guest rooms which allows Lori to take extra good care of her guests. (Very competitive prices starting as low as $29 USD up to $55 per night depending upon season, number of nights spent, and the room choice.)

There so many wonderful B and B’s to choose from.

This is just a smpling of those recommended by my clients.

Each has it’s own charm, conveniences and style..

Hope You Enjoy Your Stay,

Siempre tu amigo,

As promised.. Here’s an introduction to another of the www.ChapalaClub Dream Team to serve you as an Exclusive Buyers Only Realtor.

The latest to join us is a former Coldwell Banker Realtor from Sacremento, California.

Judy found Lake Chapala when a friend told her about the kind, compassionate local people who live here. She was looking for a care facility for her Mom that they could afford and still give quality care.

So, Judy scheduled a trip here and found the care givers here so loving and competent, that she moved here

So, as they say in show biz “Without further adieu

Heeeeeeeers Judy” .

As you can see, Judy is a personable, smart, and full of experience all of which is ready to serve you.
If you’d like to get in touch with Judy just send me an e mail to Sid@ChapalaClub.com and put …JUDY… in the subject line so your e mail will stand out so I can give it priority attention.

All for now, Siempre tu amigo,

Today I have some information that could well save your life or that of a loved one here at Lake Chapala or anywhere you happen to be.

I hope you will not mind this public service message in the form of an extra article posted here on www.ChapalaClub.com.

We have excellent medical care here and a great emergency ambulance service operated by the Mexican Red Cross (Cruz Roja)

Here’s the Emergency Number of the Cruz Roja for the Lake Chapala Area – 765 – 2308

Stroke indicators

STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters…. S.T.R.

STROKE IDENTIFICATION

It only takes a minute to read this…

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke… totally . He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the ’3′ steps, STR . Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks , call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke ——– Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another ‘sign’ of a stroke is this: Ask the person to ‘stick’ out his tongue.. If the tongue is ‘crooked’, if it goes to one side or the other , that is also an indication of a stroke.

If you can pass this short article on to everyone in you have an e mail address for  and ask them to do the same no doubt we will have contributed to saving many lives.

Thanks for reading this and your help in spreading the word.

Siempre tu amigo,

If you love art… when you come for a visit to Lake Chapala – Ajijic you will feel like a kid in a candy story with a pocket full of money.

Why, because everywhere you look is something artful and beautiful from the vividly painted homes, gorgeous gardens, to the murals on government buildings and private homes alike.

But for the more serious artist lurking inside us all the area also boasts the following extensive list of artistic shops, art galleries, and art studios.

You may want to print this list out for your visit or revisit to our little slice of paradise… because art is definitely

in the Air at Ajijic – Lake Chapala Mexico.

So come down soon to visit us and add more art to your

Life. You can do it. I can help. Artistically yours,

Sid Grosvenor (Your Lake Chapala Information Guy) and

Exclusive Buyer’s only Realtor… Looking after You !’

Siempre tu amigo, Sid
e mail = Sid@ChapalaClub.com

Arte de Mexico: Lois Atkins
Fine art, ceramics
16 de Septiembre #13
Tel. 766-4979

Arte Estudio: Antonio Cardenas
16 de Septitmebre #33
Original art, watercolors and mixed media classes
Tel. 766-0545 o 766-l478

Arte Estudio de Belva & Enrique Velazquez
Fine art, classes, calendars and notecards
16 de Septiembre #7
Tel. 766-0162

Aztec Studios: Janice Kimball
232 Carretera Pte
Tel. 766-3543

Casa de La Cultura
Delegacion Municipal de Ajijic
On the main plaza
766-1760

Centro de Arte y Cultura Galeria: Dionicio Morales
Morelos #12

Creaciones del Lago
Creative art in needlework
Ramon Corona #1 A

Diane Pearl Colecciones: Diane Pearl
Colon #1
Tel. 766-5683

Efren Gonzalez Cultural Center
Marcos Castellanos #7

El Gallo Gallery: Ken Gosh
Guadalupe Victoria #30
Tel. 766-4171

Galeria: Ana Romo
Colon #8 B
Tel. 766-0955

Galeria Cathy Chalvignac
Fine oil paintings
16 de Septiembre #22
Tel. 766-1153

Galeria de Arte Los Amigos
Javier Mina 35

Galeria de las Flores Art Gallery: Julian
Morelos #9 B

Galeria Di Paola Photography, paintings, sculpture, select objects of popular art
Colon #11Tel. 766-1010
Fax: 765-3816

Galeria Dos Lunas
Colon #8 A

Galeria Quattro
Colon #9

Arte Estudio de Belva & Enrique Velazquez

La Bella Vida
16 de Septiembre #4 B

La Coleccion Barbara: Thomas R. Thompson

Antiques, Mexican folk art, fine art

Independencia #7
Tel.766-1824 Fax: 6-1071

La Estancia: Jose Duran
Morelos #13

Mi Mexico: Representing Helen Marie Krustev
Morelos #8

Opus Boutique and Gallery: Lois Cugini

Select artists, jewelry, folk art, custom design
Morelos #15
Tel. 766-1790

Sol y Luna Cultural Center
Rio Bravo #10 A

The Village Gallery: Carol Ann Owers
Ramon Corona #23

Chapala

Casa de Cultura Gonzalez Gallo
In the old train station
Avenida Gonzalez Gallo 1500

Kimball Gallery
Las Redes #211

‘We didn’t have fast food when I was growing up,’ I replied. ‘All the food was slow.
‘C’mon, seriously. Where did you eat?’

‘It was a place called ‘home’ I explained !

‘Mom cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the kitchen table, and if I didn’t like what she put on my plate I was allowed to sit there until I did like it.’

Most of the food here is also of the “slow” type at Lake Chapala, Mexico but not because we eat t at home, but because we have time to relax and luxuriate over the wonderful food served up at a whole slew of great area restaurants at less than fast food prices in the USA or Canada.

I didn’t tell my friend the part about how I had to have permission to leave the table.  Here are some other things I could have told him about my childhood if I figured he would have believed me.

Some parents NEVER owned their own house, never wore Levis , never set foot on a golf course, never traveled out of the country or had a credit card. (Like most of the Mexican people in our area).

In their later my parents had something called a revolving charge card The card was good at a few department stores

My Mom never drove me to soccer practice because she didn’t know how to drive… and there was no soccer practice to go to.

If I wanted to go farther than I could walk I had a bicycle that weighed probably 50 pounds, and only had one speed, (slow).  We have a protected bike path here at Lake Chapala that runs along most of the North shore road. SO, if  you like life in the slow lane (but still with lots of fun) you’ll like it here.

When I was a kid my friends and I would ride our bikes to the Saturday movie in the summer and spend all day in the air conditioning watching 5 back to back feature films, 5 cartoons, and a serial or two.. The best part was it cost a whopping 9 cents. And a box of popcorn was under a dime.

Here at Lake Chapala Ajijic we get a first run Hollywood movie in English (Spanish Sub Titles… so you can practice your Spanish) for around $2 USD for the matinee and about $3.50 for the evening performances.

Our homes did not have air conditioning in Texas where in the summer is got to be over a 100 degrees most days, but it sure would have been nice.

Fortunately for us now here at Lake Chapala the temp even in the summer never gets this hot and we never need air conditioning.

In Texas we didn’t have a television in our house until I was 13.

It was, of course, black and white, with a tube of about 8 inches across and the station went off the air at midnight, after playing the national anthem and a poem about God; it came back on the air at about 6 a..m. And there was usually a locally produced news and farm show on, featuring local people.

Here at Lake Chapala Ajijic we get hundreds of channels on our very big screen TV sets via satellite or cable with one satellite proving all English language programming including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, etc. etc.
I was 16 before I tasted my first pizza, it was called ‘pizza pie.’

Here at Lake Chapala we have some of the best pizza I ever put in my mouth and it’s not from Dominos.

As a kid I never had a telephone in my room.

The only phone in my house was in the hallway where you had to stand up and it was on a party line. Before you could dial, you had to listen and make sure some people you didn’t know weren’t already using the line.

Here at Lake Chapala I have two direct USA lines, a toll free USA/Canada line, a local line and a cell phone all fairly priced.

Do you still remember your first telephone number? I do. It was TE 2856. The “TE” was short for the exchange “Tennison” .

You could tell what part of town people lived in by the exchange.

You can do more or less the same thing here at Lake Chapala. 765 = Chapala, 766 = Ajijic area and  763  is either Vista del Lago or Las Fuentes.

Pizzas were not delivered to our home, but milk was. One of the Milk companies even still used horse drawn wagons with the milk kept cold with blocks of ice. Most folks had “ice boxes then… not refrigerators.

We do have home delivered pizza, propane gas for cooking, and heating hot water, and home mail service.

Movie stars kissed with their mouths shut. At least, they did in the movies. There were no movie ratings because all movies were responsibly produced for everyone to enjoy viewing, without profanity or violence or most anything offensive.

In the subtitles mentioned earlier they clean up the bad words in our Hollywood movies when you read the Spanish.
How many do you remember?

OK, Here’s warm up for the quiz to follow:

Head lights dimmer switches on the floor.
Ignition switches on the dashboard.
Heaters mounted on the inside of the fire wall.
Real ice boxes.
Pant leg clips for bicycles without chain guards.
Soldering irons you heat on a gas burner.
Using hand signals for cars without turn signals.

OK, now let’s go for the
Older Than Dirt Quiz :

Count all the ones that you remember not the ones you were told about.

(Ratings at the bottom to see how you did)

1.Double Bubble chewing gum
2.Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water
3. Candy cigarettes
4. Soda pop machines that dispensed glass bottles  
5. Coffee shops or diners with tableside juke   boxes
6 . Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers
7. Party lines   on the telephone
8 Newsreels before the movie  
9. P.F. Flyers
10. Butch wax
11.. TV test patterns that came on at night after the last show and were there until TV shows started again in the morning. (there were only 3 channels [if you were fortunate])
12. Peashooters
13. Howdy Doody
14. 45 RPM records
15.  S& H greenstamps
16. Hi-fi’s
17. Metal ice trays with lever
18. Mimeograph paper
19. Blue flashbulbs
20. Packards
21. Roller skate keys
22. Cork popguns
23. Drive-ins
24. Studebakers
25. Wash tub wringers  (still used  in many Mexican homes)

If you remembered 0-5 = You’re still young
If you remembered 6-10 = You are getting older
If you remembered 11-15 = Don’t tell your age,
If you remembered 16-25 = You’ re as old as I am.!

I scored a 100% and you’ll score a 100% to on finding out about retirement  options here at Lake Chapala Mexico if you sign up for your free subscription to www.ChapalaClub.com, the on line magazine filled with tons of useful information all about living, working, and playing here in our little slice of paradise, Lake Chapala, Mexico.

Just go to the top right hand corner of any page right now on www.ChapalaClub.com and put your e mail in the box and Click Go

Want to know more about living, working and playing here at Lake Chapala, Mexico just drop me an e mail to Sid@ChapalaClub.com.

Please put “Remember When” in the subject line box to set it off from the many e mails I get each day so I can give your e mail priority treatment.

We’ve all heard the term “Old Folks Home” but many of them are not really Home Like at all in that they are large, cold feeling, and expensive.

I just discovered a brand new Elderly Care home, that really is a home.

Located in a convenient, safe,and beautiful area of Lake Chapala in an area known as La Floresta.

But, you don’t have to take my word for it. Take a look  at the below two videos to meet Fernando and his Mom Terre.  The first video is an interview with Fernando who will answer many of your questions. The second Video is a tour of the home itself so you can see the bedrooms, living areas and kitchen.

For more information just send an e mail to ajijicelderlycare@gmail.com

To call from a USA Telephone call this number 011 52 1 33 1148 3153

The first time I came to Lake Chapala Ajijic I was like the baby otter. I knew almost nothing about my new environment.

•I needed a teacher who was experienced and knowledgeable about the area.

•Like the otter Mom, each of our dream team members focuses on their clients one by one giving their full attention to your lessons in learning how to “get into the swim of things here” so to speak.

•Of course you’ll learn in stages (like the baby otter). First you’ll learn how to keep your head above water. Basic tips to keep you out of trouble about the culture, the money, shopping, restaurants and more.

•Then, as you gain confidence you’ll swim right along with the other more experienced North Americans who live here.

•Your next lesson will be where we teach you how to look, below the surface, to dive under the water and discover a whole new world just like the Mama otter taught her charges how to look below the surface of the water to see the potential of what lies beneath the surface.

•Finally, if you want us to we’ll be happy to show you a variety of places you just might want to call home where you can stay warm in the winter, cool in the summer and dry in the raining season… all without high utility bills. (almost as inexpensive as the cave home of the Otter family.

When you visit ends you’ll leave relaxed, confident, and we think empowered by the new knowledge you’ve gained about living, working, and playing in our little slice of paradise… that just may become your little slice of paradise too!

Let the Dream Team Help You Get in the Swim of  All Things Lake Chapala – Ajijic. E Mail me now while it’s fresh on your mind.

Sid@ ChapalaClub.com

Just put “Otter” in the subject line so I can spot your e mail quickly and give it priority.

By: Kristina Morgan

We live in Lake Chapala, south of Guadalajara and a few hours drive from Puerto Vallarta. My husband I have lived here for many years and were raising three of our children here and one of the primary reasons is because it is so safe. Clearly, there are facts to back up my feeling.

If you look at the NationMaster’s Crime Per Capita, the U.S. is #8 on the list of high crime and Mexico is down at #39.

To help put this in perspective, Christine Delsol writes, Everything is relative.

Would knowing that Miami has the highest violent crime rate in the United States keep you from going to the Grand Canyon, or even Disney World, in the same state?

A study just published by RE/MAX Investment Properties indicates that major tourist zones in Mexico are up to 26 times safer than some tourist zones in the United States. Clearly, they want to sell real estate and that is their interest in doing the study….but they also sell real estate in the U.S. so I have to wonder if their study had any adverse affects on their sales in the cities they mention below.

Their study reveals that the state of Baja California Sur home to Los Cabos, La Paz and Loreto has a homicide rate 26 times lower than Orlando, 18 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than West Palm Beach, 12 times lower than Tampa and half that of Honolulu.

In addition, the study points out that Mexican tourist zones are even safer when the homicide rates are compared with major cities in the United States and Canada.

For example, Baja California Sur has a homicide rate 39 times lower than Washington D.C., 19 times lower than Houston, 17 times lower than Dallas, 7 times lower than the city of New York and 3 times lower than Vancouver.

Lake Chapala is one of the safest places I have ever been and I didnt live in big cities North of the Border. Greeley, Colorado certainly doesnt top the crime lists anywhere but it was far more dangerous to live there with murders, rapes and armed robberies reported every week than it has ever been here in the Chapala/Ajijic area of Mexico.

Focus on Mexico recently sent out a survey to find out what other residents had to say about crime and safety in the Lake Chapala/Ajijic area, and these are a few comments that seem to embody the general sentiments of the people who responded:

Clay McAdam:

I would like to share my impressions and feelings from the perspective of a retired Edmonton police officer who has chosen to live permanently in Mexico. We feel perfectly safe walking in the streets of Ajijic at any time of day or night. It never ceases to amaze me when walking down the street and being greeted with an hola or buenos dias, by people whom we do not know. Not since I was child in a small town in southwestern Saskatchewan have I been greeted in this manner.

The North American news media has taken a situation that is occurring in the border areas and is blowing it totally out of proportion as far as I am concerned. My advice is to come to Lake Chapala and see what it is like to live in a happy and enjoyable environment.

Jerry Pounds:

My personal feeling is that Lake Chapala is as safe a place as one will find anywhere.

I decided the second day that I was in Mexico (with you wonderful folks at FOCUS on MEXICO) that I would spend as much of the rest of my life in the Lake Chapala area as possible. Two years later I think of myself as Mexican/American and am very happy with my decision. As soon as I can finish business obligations in the states, I will live full time in Ajijic and have absolutely no fear of violence in Mexico. In summary, Lake Chapala is much closer to Andy Griffith’s Mayberry, as far as safety goes, than any place I have been in the states, in Europe and the rest of Mexico.

Lori Truly:

I would be happy to comment on the “crime” (or lack there of) in the Lake Chapala area. First of all when my husband and I lived here in 1997, we had no children and I asked my husband if we ever have children, can we raise them here?” He said sure and chuckled, because we never thought the dream would come true.

Well, it has, and the children love it! Why did we want to raise our children here? The safety. Is there petty theft? Sure, like anywhere, lock your doors when you leave the house, and don’t be careless with your belongings, and you’ll be O.K. just like any “nice” neighborhood in the states. I

feel so much more secure here, than I do in the States now. When I visit there, I am nearly uncomfortable. Always looking over my shoulder, making sure my children are safe, and always holding on to my pocket book. Not here!!!! I just love it here, and have NO desire to go back north at all.

Sheila Turner:

I have always lived in large cities in the U.S., and I am no stranger to crime. Here, I live alone and there has been no time that I have felt insecure or fearful. All I can say is “It’s a great life.”

In summary, I have no idea if the American media is just lazy or if they have an agenda, but I cannot sit idly by and allow all of Mexico to be painted with such a broad brush. Lake Chapala is, indeed, safe.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
Kristina Morgan: Director of Public Relations for FocusOnMexico.
To help you in making a choice, Focus On Mexico offers 8-Day

Educational Programs to Ajijic and Lake Chapala, Mexico (2nd Best Climate in the World). Join us on a Focus program and learn why thousands of Americans and Canadians chose to retire in Lake Chapala. www.focusonmexico.com

Donations to Love in Action Center:

Recently, people have asked how they can contribute to Love in Action by a personal gift or to honor someone’s birthday, marriage,  anniversary, or make a memorial.  Dina has outlined these methods for making a donation to Love in Action.

1.  Mail or deliver Checks to: [made out to: Centro Amor en Acción A.C.]  Mail to:  Centro Amor en Acción, c/o Anabel Frutos   PO Box 535, Chapala, Jalisco, CP 45900  Mexico.     Or bring check or cash to the Center Office at Pedro Moreno #76, Chapala.

2. Pay Pal Method:   [ You will need your own Pay Pal account to use this method.]  Available at our website: www.loveinactioncenter.org and Pay Pal access will appear on the left hand under “Donate”.    Note: You can make a comment as to how you wish your funds be distributed or whom you are honoring (birthday, wedding,  memorial) Click “ADD” in the “Note to seller”.

3. Direct Deposit or Wire Transfer: Donations may be directly deposited at HSBC Bank or transferred by wire.  To obtain information on account numbers or for questions on donation, contact Dina at donations@loveinactioncenter.org

Lake Chapala Review; June 2010: “Making a Difference” Programs at Love in Action

A range of educational programs and activities are helping the children at the Center to gain skills and behaviors that will change their lives.  Programs range from English as a Second Language and computer skills to art, music and dance and social skills.

One of the most extensive that reaches all children at the center is the values training sessions. Values and Making a Difference: One of the goals of the Love in Action Center is to change the lives of the children by teaching values that will lead to their success in whatever future they choose.

Learning positive values has already made a difference in the life of Josie who arrived at the Center at age 10 from a home where she was totally neglected and had never been enrolled in school.

Once enrolled, she has taken two years in one and is now on the Honor Role in Grade 7.  Josie has learned to be clean, orderly and focused and has the courage to continue her schooling to make a real difference in her life.

Anabel Frutos, Director at Love in Action, has begun an innovative training program to teach essential values to all Center children.

Forty different values will be taught over the next year.  The program uses a textbook illustrated with birds and animals with a face page for a particular value such as respect, obedience, attention or compassion.

On the back of the card are stories of the importance to survival of the youngster of each value and examples how one might demonstrate that value.

Each evening house parents teach one individual value.  They show the pictures, tell the stories and have the children memorize the definition of a particular value.  On the value of “respect,” for example, the card illustrates how a child should demonstrate his or her respect for another.

The children then learn respectful behaviors such as sitting up straight, listening carefully to what the other person is saying, and looking at the other person while they are talking to you.  Godparents are being enlisted to give feedback on how this training is making a difference in the behavior of their godchildren.

Computer Classes: Vince Massi reports that thanks to the kindness of donors, the Center has thirteen educational computers in the Computer Lab. Some of our children had missed years of school, and our wide variety of educational software, along with tutors and supervisors, is giving them the opportunity to begin catching up.

Motivated by their own enthusiasm, students with reading difficulties have learned to use the keyboards, follow written instructions, and solve problems involving language and logic skills. Supervisors are pleased at how willingly the children help each to understand the programs, and the students are noticeably improving in their abilities to function in society after they have grown up.

Individual Tutoring: Joyce Lawrence reports that the tutors are delighted with the progress little Bryon has made since she began working with him last September. He was at ground zero in his reading and writing skills and had no confidence in his ability to learn.

He has now completed two thirds of a reading method used in many of the California schools with Mexican children. He reads, writes and spells most of the letter combinations in Spanish and shows great enthusiasm and initiative in his work.

Joyce expects that by the time the school year ends he will be reading independently and with comprehension and hopefully will move on to second grade. She plans to work with him through the summer perhaps on his math skills.

Bryon has recently discovered the computer and loves to spend time on it after his tutoring sessions. Joyce feels very rewarded for her time and effort and hopes to continue tutoring other kids at LIA.

The LIA Newsletter is published each month by Robin Lawrason, Press Relations for the Center.

Contact Robin at jim2rob@gmail.com