Books for Prosperity partnered with Mission Acts Ministries, a nonprofit that helps community across the globe as well as several communities in Tijuana. Our team will implement an ESL curriculum for the children that Mission Acts Ministries currently works with.
On August 24th, Anna and I met up with 3 volunteers from Mission Acts Ministries, including Founder Michael Waldrup, for a needs assessment trip (developed by Helen, and attached at the end). We wanted a better picture of the problems we'd be facing in order to better serve the children. Michael drove us from Chula Vista to Tijuana, gave us a tour of five different sites, and answered any questions we had.
Site 1: A Family Home
This site is home to 12 orphaned children between the ages of 6-16 live. Contrary to an orphanage where children leave after adulthood, the purpose of a family home is to support them even into adulthood - like a family.
The caregivers at this site value English and have previously paid an English teacher to come teach the children once a month. However, the English teacher stopped coming. The elder kids say they learned approximately 100 words, but have little to no recollection of the lessons.
The children are involved in a lot of extra-curricular activities including calligraphy, music, and self-defense. Some children suffer from dental issues. They have access to a doctor, but not a dentist.
Sites 2 & 3: Community Center
Local children come here to learn.
Site 4: The Garbage Dump
This landfill is located in a remote area away from the city. Many impoverished people live here among the garbage. Some gather and burn metal scraps in order to mold them into parts, which are then sold for money. Kids in this area attend a school that Mission Acts Ministries recently finished building.
Site 5: Small Schoolhouse
There are around 60 kids that come to this school frequently. The teacher at this school studied Biology, and she is excited to hear about the English curriculum we intend to implement
How Books for Prosperity Plans to Partner with Mission Acts Ministries
At every single site, all the educator and mentor figures are eager to integrate English into their routine and curriculums. In junction with teachers, librarians, and organizations in Tijuana, we will develop a curriculum to teach the children English based off of proven and organized approaches. The finished curriculum will be presented to a government official in Tijuana, Mexico who is in charge of education and once she approves of it, the curriculum will be taught to 13 teachers. In an effort to prioritize sustainability, all efforts must be carried out by locals - teachers will receive training on how to carry out the curriculum.
Huge thank you to Helen for compiling the needs assessment, which includes several questions and a list of needs that require our attention. Attached:
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