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Akumal Montessori: a Fundraising Case Study |
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Raising Funds and Awareness, A Personal Testimony from Colorado We hope this story helps inspire others to find worthwhile projects in the Akumal area that they can support, a little goodwill goes a long way! By Ron Rockvam & Art Bavoso of Foothills Rotary Club We have always felt an obligation to give back to the Akumal community in a larger way than just spending our vacation dollars here. We approached the manager of our condo at Hacienda de la Tortuga about opportunities in Akumal. He suggested the Montessori school or the library. Having been in the library a couple of times and seeing the needs there, we decided to check out the school. We mistakenly went to the public school first. That was a valuable experience in terms of the comparison we were able to see in the differences in educational delivery and technique. Once we found Otoch Paal Montessori and met the teachers, our decision was settled. They were doing such a magnificent job with the facilities and resources then available. They told us of the waiting list of children that could be served if additional facilities were built.  Based on the club's response to this minor effort, the board decided to approve our fundraising efforts to build the two additional classrooms to allow for more than double the current enrollment. A goal of $30,000 U.S. was embarked on, to be raised over a three year period to allow members to each commit to raising a larger amount, but spread out over the three years. We put together a poster board with pictures of the existing school buildings plus photos of the faces of these adorable children. Hard to say no to those. The Playa club agreed to supply the labor, management and architectural expertise. We were on track with our three year fundraising plan when the school was mandated by the government to replace the palapa roofs with concrete; this forced us to not only increase our pledges but step up our timetable for full completion by several months.  Several members of our club have visited the school over the past few years of this project and their response and enthusiasm for this project has certainly helped propel it to success. Thanks also to Sac-Be for the exposure that brought us a $2000 donation from another Rotarian with a home in Akumal. The Rotary Club of Fort Collins, Colorado has now raised all the promised funds to expand the school! A most heartfelt thank you to the Foothills Rotary Club, and the Playa del Carmen Rotary Club, for helping this wonderful little school. Are you part of a Rotary Club that wants to get involved? Contact Ron Rockvam of the Foothills Rotary Club at: dvantage@msn.com. Stay tuned in the Fall for continuation of our series “What is Montessori Preschool?” To see a Montessori preschool in operation, come visit Otoch Paal Community Center in Akumal Pueblo. Otoch Paal welcomes visitors who are interested in seeing how a Montessori center operates. Classes are in session from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visitors are asked to come between 9 and 10:30 a.m. PLEASE NOTE: THE SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED JULY 10-AUGUST 24 FOR SUMMER VACATION. How you can help. As a non-profit community-based learning center, Otoch Paal does not generate sufficient funds to pay for all necessary school improvements. Monetary donations and donations in kind are always welcome. Donations can be made directly at the school. Or more information can be found at: montessoriaroundtheworld.org/otoch.html/ Directions to Otoch Paal: The school is located near the back of Akumal Pueblo, on the Northern edge of the town. It can be reached by following the Pueblo’s main street (avenida) to the fourth block on the right hand side of the street. After passing the secondary and kindergarten schools (which are on the main street), turn right at the corner where the kindergarten is located and continue to the next corner. Otoch Paal is next to the kindergarten and the entrance is at the far corner, near the town’s edge. |
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© Sac-Be International, Inc.
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