My relationship with Tashirat has existed for more than six years.  Esther Bissinger, Founder and Principal of the Ixaya School at Tashirat, has been a family friend for many years as well.  My recent two trips there in the spring focused on assisting Tashirat’s needs for a water-well, the school lunch program, building water catchments for the school buildings, and helping to organize and implement a Special Education Program.

On my first trip, Tony Rana, a hydrologist engineer whose firm is located in New Jersey, accompanied me and together with the assistance of local engineers in Tepozlan, we conducted a study.  However, the possibility of installing a deep water-well remains doubtful because of the very high cost. 

The school lunch program, which has been financially supported by Traveling Mercies, is going well and the 90 or more students receive a healthy, substantial lunch every day.  More sponsors are needed to support the ongoing lunch program, and we continue to ask others to contribute.  

On both visits we discussed, and have now finalized, a plan to build a water catchments tank for the school buildings that would collect the rainwater.  It will then be used for the school children’s daily needs such as cooking, watering plants, and washing.  We will also build showers for the children; so those unable to shower at home because of a lack of water, can do so at the school.  

It was communicated by Esther and others at Tashirat that a program for children with special needs was also necessary.  The school would require professional assistance in developing this important program, and so I contacted my partner of Traveling Mercies, Bob Santare about this need.  Bob, being very active in education programs, contacted Mrs. Debra Trophy who is an experienced educator in the work for special needs children in New Jersey.  Her interest was very high to help and her heartfelt enthusiasm connected with the school’s needs and problems.  She contacted Esther and visited the school herself for two weeks in June, bringing books and gifts for the school. 

Debra is formulating a plan that would help develop a productive program for their special needs children at the Ixaya School.  Traveling Mercies contributed $2500 to begin an education learning center at the school.  Here computers, education software, and books would be made available to all students including the special ed. Students.  This program will be expanded so to help both the students and teachers be more effective in their education goals.  Traveling Mercies will work closely to meet the needs of the children and assist Esther to develop the necessary programs.         

In early December 2009, under the leadership of Bob Santare, Traveling Mercies is planning a fundraiser to benefit the Ixaya School. The funds to be raised will be used to meet the following specific goals:
1.    Involve more supporters for the daily lunch program
2.    Build a water catchments tank, as well as showers at the school
3.    Support the program for the special needs children