****Hair & Make-Up Classes in San Pedro Itzican - April 2018****

Hair and Make-Up

Rodrigo López from Innovation Hair Specialists in Ajijic

The hairdressing project, was originally organized by a group from Guadalajara, and this organization trained 35 women in San Pedro Itzican, on how to cut hair. They gave them brushes, hairdryers and scissors, and 10 women are now trying to run their own businesses from their homes. 

Those 10 women have asked the brigada for help in getting more supplies and training so that they can style hair. So we are looking for hair straighteners, hair curlers, heated rollers, styling brushes, gel, hair spray, shampoos, conditioners, etc.

They would also like to learn how to do make up, so make up supplies are also requested, as well as training. Other supplies could include nail varnish, towels, lipstick, make up, creams, etc. And if you have any ideas on how to help, do contact us!

We approached Rodrigo López of Innovacion Hair Stylists, of Ajijic and he kindly provided free training on hair styling and make-up . His first visit to San Pedro was on Monday April 16, 2018.

We had 20 women show up for the training. We only expected 10 who were enrolled.

We hope to get other hairstylists to also assist us with this project.

Knitting 

Music

Seed: The Movie Premiere in Ajijic, Jalisco Mexico

The Jacarandas are in bloom again.

With this lovely omen we had our Seed: The Movie premiere.

Guests arrived and were greeted at the door with a smile and a seed exchange table.

Several guests brought and took seeds.

As the hour approached our theatre started to fill up.

We greeted our guests, had a wonderful screening and finished with a question & answer period.

We'd like to thank the producers from Collective Eye Films and especially Robyn

for helping us get this premiere together.  And thank you to all the people who came out

to view the wonderful documentary.

Look for a second screening of Seed: The Movie coming soon to our area.

Hope House - Ixtlahuacan, Jalisco Mexico - April 3rd, 2018

 Hope springs eternal, especially at Hope House in Ixtlahuacan.

Today I was invited by my new friend Patsy to tour Hope House located in Agua Escondida

in Ixtlahuacan.

Hope House is a children’s shelter providing vital temporary and 24/7 residential care

for young boys ages 2-18 who have been abused, neglected or abandoned.

Their Mission

They are determined to break the cycle of abuse and neglect our boys have found themselves in

and, as a result, raise a generation of productive, successful young men.

Greenhouse

Knowing of my interest in growing organic food, Patsy thought that the hydroponic gardens at Hope House would be of interest...she was right.

 Josue

Our guide this morning was young Josue.  He is 11 years old.

Moyo

Josue's trusty companion Moyo shadowed our every move.

The greenhouse has both in ground (earth) plantings as well as hydroponic plants

 Radishes

Josue told us that the kitchens at Hope House harvest food for their tables year round.

The hydroponic planting area uses common water and a pump that turns on every hour to irrigate the plants.

They do have small fish in the water recycling receptacle area, adding nutrients to the water as it circulates.  I guess you could call this an aquaponics garden.

In addition to the gardens the greenhouse also has a compost pit, that assists in efficiently

amending the garden soils.

 Hope House has vocational training programs for the boys.  One of the most developed is a fully equipped wood shop, where the boys learn, from volunteer teachers, the craft of woodworking.

Hope House is always looking for volunteers, to help them reach their goals.

Plant a seed of hope.  Contact Hope House.

376-762-0032

oficina@casahogarmexico.org

Women of Mezcala Jewelry Workshop & Garden Visits 3-30-18

In Mexico there is always something to celebrate. Whether it be the new birth of a baby burro or the birthday of a Brigadista, we are always ready to acknowledge these milestones.

Baby Burro

Today we arrived in La Cuesta/Mezcala to work with the 'Women Supporting Women' jewelry making group, bringing expert jewelry makers and teachers to hone the women's jewelry making skills.

Our dear friend and jewelry maker extraordinaire, Mary Ellen Rushworth, visited with us to teach the finer points of jewelry making to the women of Mezcala.

Donation Items

We were also gifted wonderful items from jeweler Darlene Dehlin.  Thank you for your gifts and support!

Jewelry Stand at Diane Pearl's in Ajijic

The women's jewelry is now being sold at Diane Pearl's and I Cugini shops in Ajijic.

This day we were also visited by Doris Wakeman's Mom, Dori.

And as it so happened today was also Brigadista Olga's birthday, so we brought along a 

cake, song and well wishes.

Everyone participated in the fun.

Chia Planters

I love visiting the Brigadista home office...there is always something new.  

This day the Chia egg carton planters were displayed.

Memories were made.

Then it was time to visit two of our pilot gardens.  First up was Jorge's family garden.

Everything was growing well, albeit a bit stressed from the mid day sun and watering challenges.

Next was the Chayote field.

Chayote P.O.V.

A beautiful harvest was had and Jorge's family gifted us with veggies to take home.

Laura's Family Garden

Laura's family plot was filled with lovely squash...it was harvest time.

We also were excited to see the progress on the land that was selected for the family's vegetable plot.  The land had been prepared.  We awaited additional fencing to finish the perimeter.

We were invited to walk down to the lake for a view.

And we were not disappointed....beauty was everywhere.