Blog

February 2024

Dear Friends of Liga MAC

What’s Happening at Liga MAC:

For those who attended the recent Liga MAC fundraiser, Tacos Tostadas & Tequila, our profile this month will bring back fun memories. For those who did not attend: you missed one heck of a party!

New years herald new beginnings and the start of 2024 heralded the start of Liga MAC’s student support program auxiliary programs in our new Liga MAC Learning Centre. Donors, volunteers and community neighbours have been touring the new facility and sharing their excitement.

On a sadder note, we share the news of two Liga MAC students whose lives have been cut short and how Liga MAC is playing a big part in their families’ recoveries.

Event Profile: Tacos, Tostadas & Tequila!

Host, sponsor, chef, restauranteur and Liga MAC director Tadd Chapman created a unique gourmet gastronomic experience at the Baja Luna event centre when he presented Tacos Tostadas & Tequila for the benefit of Liga MAC’s student educational program.

Chef Tadd invited 9 fellow local chefs to present their favourite gourmet taco or tostada with a beverage pairing. With 10 food/beverage stations scattered throughout the venue and all night music provided by Soundays Band and DJ Be Pro-ductions, 200 guests grazed to their preference and danced the night away.

Liga MAC students and their parents guided guests to Baja Luna with directional signage along the entry route. Liga MAC tutors, Grise and Fernanda, were warmly received by guests as they shared information on how they work with Liga MAC students. And Valeria, a 5 year Liga MAC student, took to the stage to share her heartwarming message (recited in this video).

[Watch Video: Valeria’s Message]

Our students who volunteered for the event, were inspired by the venue and the event’s underlying purpose: to help change their lives! Over $32,000 was raised to help support the student program and purchase much needed computers for our new computer lab.

Special thanks go the following chefs for their beautiful and tasty food creations and their dedication to helping the students of San Jose del Cabo:

• Elena Sors – Gourmet 911
• Abraham Taméz – Akasha
• Belén Cortéz – Sigma Foodservice
• Ibrahim Amaya – Cerritos Tropical
• Armando Montaño – Mestizo Rosticería
• Kris Abush – Taba BBQ
• Roger Martín – Casa Martín
• Daniel Berúmen and David Merin – Baja Luna
• Alex Branch – Los Venenosas Tostadas
• Angel Carbajal – Niksan (Palmilla and Cabo San Lucas)
• Tadd Chapman – Habaneros, Baja Luna.

A video clip from Tacos Tostadas & Tequila:

[Watch Video: Tacos, Tostadas & Tequila Highlights]

Click Here to See Full Tacos, Tostadas & Tequila Photo Album

Student Support Programs

Math & Spanish Tutoring – Classes in the Learning Centre began on January 15 and run Monday through Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 to 10:00 am. A total of 123 students attend these tutoring sessions. During their breaks, the students co-mingle in the Learning Centre’s outdoor area.

ESL – On January 20, 19 grade 11 students and 44 grade 12 students participated in the first ESL classes at the Learning Centre. They were divided into 3 levels – beginner, intermediate and advanced. Students are divided into 5 classes which are conducted from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm on Saturdays. During break, the students gather in the common area where they converse and share snacks provided by volunteers.

ESL Pilot Program – A planning meeting held January 19 facilitated by Juan Carlos Cotamo and Liga MAC Education Co-ordinator, Maggie Martinez outlined the scope, objectives, duration, and benefits of the ESL pilot program as well as the importance of regular attendance for 35 Grade 10 students. The program which began on January 31 and will continue weekly throughout the school year, stresses the importance of phonetic pronunciation, spelling and sentence structure. The aim of the program is to develop a level of proficiency by providing year round instruction. Classes are conducted in the Learning Centre Library.

Waste Management Workshop – On January 26, environmental engineer, Victoria Lugo, introduced her ideas regarding the planning, design and execution of programs to develop solutions for environmental problems. In attendance were 21 Liga MAC students and parents.

Self-Esteem & Social Skills – Liga MAC’s Co-ordinator of Social Services, Consuelo Espinosa, was thrilled to begin her much delayed Self-Esteem and Social Skills program at the Learning Centre on January 15. Forty-three grade 7 students attended the initial one and a half hour session which will continue for the next 10 weeks.

Agentes de Cambio/Agents of Change – Twenty grade 9 students returned to the Boys & Girls Club to continue their program on Saturday morning from 10:30 to 12:30. The co-ordinators confirm that good progress has been made in developing communication skills and camaraderie. The course will continue on at the Boys & Girls Club.

Volunteer Activities and Events

San Jose Organic Market – Liga MAC volunteers host an information booth at the market on Saturday mornings from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. The booth has used books, Liga MAC merchandise and handmade crafts available for a donation. The market is located in La Huerta Sports Club north of Centenario Blvd on the north side of San Jose del Cabo.

Palmilla Organic Market – Liga MAC volunteers host an information booth at the market on Friday mornings from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The booth also has used books, Liga MAC merchandise and handmade crafts available for a donation. The market is located at the Shoppes of Palmilla.

Liga MAC Donation Centre – Located at Paseo de los Marinos Blvd and Goleta Street in Colonia El Chamizal, the Donation Centre receives gentle used household items, clothes and books which it offers to the public for a donation. Run by volunteers, students and their parents, the centre is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Liga MAC’s Commitment to Our Students and Their Families

When Liga MAC invests in a student’s educational future, the approach is a holistic one. The student’s siblings, parents, financial situation, health are all taken into consideration. That is why the recent passing of one of our students, Jesus Crisanto Marquez (June 2023 Profile) has shaken Liga MAC staff to the core but they remain resolutely committed to providing the family with whatever support they require. We extend our deepest sympathy to the Marquez family.

At the same time, Mixalis Uriel Lopez, another student was diagnosed with a terminal illness and passed. The student’s family have reached out to Liga MAC staff for advice and support. In many such cases of illness and death, Liga MAC staff become advocates for the family when they are either incapacitated with grief or do not have the expertise to navigate the situation.

PARTING COMMENTS

The Learning Centre has already proven to be a beacon for learning, a centre for student activities and a source of community pride. Since the Centre officially opened in January, many donors, volunteers and long time Liga MAC supporters have toured the facility. Their comments tell the story.

One of the founding members of Liga MAC, Marilyn Graham, mentioned the pride she felt at having been involved during Liga MAC’s seminal years and of being involved in the realization of Liga MAC’s goal of helping students accomplish their educational goals.

Another long time volunteer and donor, Barbara Ziegler, commented that, “there is so much space here, there is so much ability to do things here. It’s flexible, it’s perfect. The kids who are coming to this program are so lucky that they have so much advantage over the ones that were in the past.” And ESL facilitator and tutor, Juan Carlos Cotamo, called the Learning Centre “magnificent, the best thing to happen to San Jose del Cabo!”

Hyperbole aside, there is a pride of ownership and participation that permeates all those associated with the Learning Centre. It has become a focal point in the community and a place that everyone wants to be a part of.

With appreciation

Maria Lindenberg, President
Liga MAC Board of Directors