One of the things I like best about the NOBs (north of the borders) who live here is their willingness to get involved in the Lake Chapala community. There are so many worthwhile organizations in Ajijic and the surrounding areas, many started by the gringo community, because many of the people who retire here decide before they come that their retirement life would have to include some volunteer work. The people who retire at Lakeside are not your normal, run-of-the-mill, sit in the rocking chair kind of people. They are people who not only have a lot of time and energy to give, but who also realize how many opportunities there are here to get involved in a more personal way.
One of the organizations Focus on Mexico supports whole heartedly is Los Ninos Incapacitados del Lago (Incapacitated Children of the Lake). It is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization serving the Lake Chapala area. Their mission is to assist financially indigent children who are medically disabled and require consultations, medications, medical procedures or therapy. They do so, because, as they say, "Quite simply, if we do not help these terribly ill children, no one else will. "
Ninos Incapacitados covers the cost of medical services for needy children for the following, among other things:
- Medical Evaluations and Semi-annual Re-evaluations for Growing Children's Changing Medical Needs
- Medications for Surgery Recovery, and Chronic Illnesses
- Surgeries, Hospitalizations
- Therapy
- Bus Transportation to Doctors and Hospitals
- Equipment and Replacements as Child Grows
- Treatment Sources
Tina Schenk, one of the volunteers, related her personal experience of getting involved with the group.
After settling in a Lakeside, "I found myself at the charming Nueva Posada hotel attending my first "Ninos Incapacitados " meeting always held the first Thursday of each month at 10 AM.
"I was impressed. It was a group of perhaps 25 people, all warm, friendly and welcoming. And there was nothing sloppy about it. They had an agenda, minutes, treasurer's report, committees, an e-mail list and an opportunity to meet one of the children the group was assisting. And yet there was an air of informality that made it feel like a family! I quickly learned that they held periodic 'clinics,' so when I met the clinic coordinator, Rich Peterson, I boldly asked if I might attend one. Of course, he said 'yes,' and that sort of started my love affair with "Ninos. " Since then, every two weeks, I drive to a health center in Chapala to help out in the clinic at the local Centro de Salud. I confess it is the real highlight of my week! "
Tina's story is not all that unusual. The people who move here, who have a love affair with this area, are the people who get involved with the Mexican people. They're the people who give back to the community. They're the people who become "part of the solution; not part of the problem. "
Below, Marie Dwyer-Bullock relates a personal story about her involvement with Ninos Incapacitados
"I was working on a fund raiser for Ninos Incapacitados (an organization that helps needy children who have medical problems. There were about a dozen of us obtaining donations, gifts or services for auction at a 'Casino Night' function.
"When I had broken my ankle (previously), I had had a wonderful bone specialist from Guadalajara, who worked out of the Maskaras clinic). Since many of these children (ongoing) were in need of surgeries, I decided I would go ask Dr. Gonzalez if he would consider donating a surgery (or even at a reduced cost) for one of these children.
"I just dropped into the clinic the day I knew he came to Lake Chapala. He saw me waiting, and even though I didn't have an appointment, he took me right into his office when I mentioned I needed a favor. I told him what I was doing and why I was there, and I asked if he might offer a free surgery. He didn't even give it a moment's thought, but immediately said: 'Certainly I will. But, tell me, is there only one child who needs a surgery?' I said, 'Oh no, of course not. Are you saying you'd be willing to do more than one free surgery?' And, again, he immediately responded saying that if any of these children in the Ninos Incapacitados program needed surgery, he would do the surgery---simply because the child needed it.
"By now, I was near to tears. Honestly, the doctors in Mexico restore your faith in human nature. Dr. Gonzalez is not only an excellent surgeon and bone specialist, but he is also a wonderful, caring man. "
So when you consider relocating to the lakeside area, there are many charitable organizations waiting for you to get involved. These groups desperately need your extra time and expertise on a volunteer basis. These organizations always need volunteers to assist with organizing events, publicity, transportation, translation of information, and helping to maintain communications with their supporters.
Also, for those who do not have the time or the ability, or mobility, to attend meetings or organize events, another essential need is cash donations not only to continue the support for the medical needs of children here at Lakeside, but for all the other worthy organizations in the area. Don't be afraid to give some of it up and spread it around---there's plenty of need out there for your time, organizational abilities and money. You'll be glad you did!