Marlina and Flor at Escuela Pacifica

by Jennifer Power

Marlina Manuel Ambrosio is 10 years old and has an 11 years old sister, Flor. Marlina and Flor attend Escuela Pacífica, a non-profit, bilingual elementary school in Todos Santos. Marlina is in third grade. She loves school, reading, art and yoga.

Marlina needs scholarship sponsors to help her continue in the 2011-2012 school year. Patricia Baum and I made a video about Marlina’s family’s desire to educate their daughters so that they can be self-sufficient in a society that requires both Spanish and English. Manuel and his wife Virginia escaped from the tomato fields, a life of poverty and insecurity. Manuel now enjoys a more independent life as a gardener here in Todos Santos. You can view the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXVUopy1ZIY

Escuela Pacífica (EP) is a non-profit school that was started three years ago by a group of parents who believed strongly in a bilingual, multi-cultural education. The school provides first through sixth grade education for 20 students—50% are Mexican, 40% are multi-cultural and 10% are American. The cost for EP is $2,600 pesos per student, per month. Parents that pay the full tuition absorb the costs of scholarship and work for trade students. A little less than half of the enrolled children receive partial, full or work for trade scholarships. The students’ parents are teachers, gardeners, contractors, environmentalists, care takers, shop keepers, dentists, architects and grandparents raising their grandchildren.

The morning program at Escuela Pacífica follows the Mexican government format mandated by SEP (The Secretary of Public Education). Math, science, history and culture are taught in Spanish by Maestra Jackie (Jaquelin Pavia Espinoza). Graduates of Escuela Pacífica receive an official SEP degree–required for entrance into Mexican Junior High school. The afternoon English class is taught by Serena Saltzman who also teaches English at the Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C. There are also extra classes taught in English–art, music and physical education. Students are exposed to books in both languages and during their recess time you hear them laughing and talking easily in both Spanish and English.

The growth in reading, writing and overall confidence for both Marlina and Flor is so uplifting. They speak English now with an assurance that wasn’t there a year ago. They show and explain the books they are reading with light in their eyes. That light in their eyes, which also reflects their future, is what motivates me to help keep them attending Escuela Pacífica. If you would like to help with Marlina’s scholarship for this school year, please contact me at powerful3@roadrunner.com

Contributions can also be made directly to the school via their website: http://www.escuelapacifica.org. Click on contact and you will be directed to the school’s PayPal account. All contributions are welcomed, no matter the size. Suggestions from people familiar with grants specific to helping a child’s education are also appreciated. Sponsors will receive email progress reports with pictures of Marlina, unless you would like to remain anonymous.

Escuela Paciica students, teachers and mural.

We welcome you to visit Escuela Pacífica and see the beautiful mural created by the children and architect Alfonso “Pancho” Hernandez Segovia. The school is located across from the baseball stadium on calle Villarino in Todos Santos.