Education
Currently, we have assisted an ongoing scholarship effort in our community by raising donations for school supplies (which cost about $100/child/year). BECA receives support from La Misión Children's Fund to assist with the education expenses for children with high aptitude and documented financial need. Future efforts will include school supplies, uniforms, scholarships (based on need and maintenance of a satisfactory grade point average) and funding a special needs teacher and program for the Casa de Paz Orphanage.
Nutrition Center
We operate a Nutrition Center (Centro de Nutricion) in La Misión and are raising commitments from organizations such as Rotary Club International and from individual donors to make this a more effective part of the community. In the past, this effort has responded to emergencies, such as flooding. We are partnering with the community to establish the type of program most suitable for addressing the needs of those caring for children who are injured, sick or disabled. The community is requesting that there be donated work in exchange for nutrition which will include volunteering at the schools and community if health allows.
Casa de Paz
Casa de Paz orphanage is located in the town of El Porvenir, north of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. We actively educate people regarding the ongoing needs of this orphanage which houses 53 children, including 12 special needs children. We have coordinated the visits of several non-profit organizations (including Airline Ambassadors International, faculty from the Sequoyah School in Pasadena, California, and a troop of Girl Scouts from Northern California) which have resulted in financial commitments to supply electricity, propane, food, school supplies and cleaning supplies.
Photos courtesy of Erin Dunigan www.erindunigan.com
Medical
There is an existing clinic in the Colonia Santa Anita, the area of greatest need in the La Mision community. Estimates of the population in the surrounding area range from 10,000 – 20,000. A doctor currently visits the clinic twice weekly, and will only treat 10 patients each time, no matter how many have queued to see him/her. People are entitled to treatment, but if they cannot be seen at the local clinic, they must travel to the larger cities of Ensenada or Rosarito Beach – half an hour or more away. Many lack transportation or money for transportation and medicines even if they can get to the cities. We hope to partner with the community to identify the major barriers to receiving medical and preventive care, and help them strategize about solutions. A group of OB/GYN nurses from Orange County has expressed interest in this project.