Step by Step
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Community Service.” Your entire community — however you define that; your hometown, your neighborhood, your family, your colleagues — is guaranteed to read your blog tomorrow. Write the post you’d like them all to see.
I’d like for the residents of my fraccionamiento and the village of San Juan Cosala to see the three blog posts whose links are given below and to perhaps then contribute to a dance program I am setting up in San Juan Cosala–at first mid-eastern dancing for 20 girls, then with more funding, perhaps we’ll branch out to flamenco as well as different dance styles that will be more appealing to boys.
I know that people in my community have huge hearts and they’ve proven that where there is a need, that will fill it. They’ve set up soccer teams, a free spay and neuter clinic for dogs and cats, a 150+ child orchestra and chorus, English lessons, and a program that feeds and clothes the neediest families in town.
I would simply like to expand this wonderful world that is blossoming in the village of San Juan Cosala. In Camp Estrella–a week long camp for 30 San Juan children–I saw how the dance lessons taught cooperation and gave a feeling of pride to the children–some of whom do not go to school or do not even have a house to live in but live in tents.
The three blog posts whose links are given below show their wonderful accomplishments during Camp Estrella. I’d like to continue that experience throughout the year by providing weekly free dance lessons for the girls. I’ll pay instruction fees for the first twenty girls and buy their costumes that are necessary for the dance. We’ll see how it goes and perhaps have a concert later in conjunction with the orchestra and/or chorus to raise funding to expand into break dancing and other dances attractive to the boys. Let’s see what happens.
If you’d like to see the wonderful things thirty children accomplished in their week of activities that included art, dance and reading, please have a look at the below sites:
https://judydykstrabrown.com/2015/07/21/camp-estrella/
https://judydykstrabrown.com/2015/07/23/the-boy-in-the-blue-feathered-mask/
https://judydykstrabrown.com/2015/07/26/camp-estrella-final-show/
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
I would like to see the things mentioned here. All the very best for your future set up. A very nice initiative. Keep dancing and enjoy life !
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Do post about all the events. Sounds like there’s so much excitement coming your (& their) way. I’ll be following … 🙂
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Thanks, Pekebun. I shall keep thee informed!!!
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Glad to see you are doing a great service to people. My best wishes to you always.
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Thanks, vnktchari…We’ll see how it works out.
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Looks a fantastic project, thank you for replying to my post and sending me your link 🙂
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You are very welcome.
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That is a great initiative Judy. I am a dancer and have a great belief that dance is very beneficial to the partaker on so many levels, not the least when it comes to children giving them a good dose of self-esteem. It also teaches them that they can have fun without having to resort to drugs and alcohol (I don’t know if that is a problem for the youth where you are) and it certainly keeps you fit. Good luck with your endeavours.
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Drugs are the main problem here. My village is a big trading point and without an education the only other alternative is to go to Guad to work in the factories or to pick raspberries or other crops for not much pay. Since the largest group of expats outside of the U.S. (and perhaps even more Canadians) live here part-year or year round, they have been huge influence both in furnishing alternative jobs and in setting up programs for children, women and the aged. Agustin, my friend (and friend to all) has been a big factor in bringing the expat and Mexican communities together. I’ve written a post on it. You can find it by searching Agustin Vasquez or Viva Mexico on my blog, I think. I’ll have a look. And, I’ll keep you informed about the dance lessons.
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Glad you’re going to keep me informed re dancing. It is great when two communities, particularly as they live side by side, come together. Your friend must be a good man. I think that the problem for youth is seemingly no future so drugs relieve them of the knowledge or pay them the money they desire. Good that the expat community have brought employment opportunities with them.
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I’m so glad you’ve really connected with your community and that you find working with the kids so satisfying. You are the kind of person every community needs!
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