Christmas Present

I've treated you before to stories about entreamigos, our all-purpose community learning and teaching and arts center here in San Pancho. I was there last week waiting to go into Spanish class (Intermediate 2, which may be a stretch...) when I heard someone call my name. 

I looked up to see Nicole Swedlow, the all-purpose dynamo who heads entreamigos with the help of a fabulous staff of smart, friendly and talented local residents. 

"Uh-oh", I said to Tom, my fellow student, who is more than tall enough to hide behind. "Is it too late to hide?" It was, but that was just fine. Nicole told me that one of the 5th grade classes at the public school would be without a teacher tomorrow, and she'd agreed to have them come to the center for a Christmas art class. Unfortunately, her whole staff was in Guadalajara at the big book fair buying books for the library, and she had no one to lead the class. Until she spotted me. 

I agreed on the spot, knowing the art bodega contained construction paper, glitter, glue, scissors, and all the other paraphenalia necessary for a good messy art project. The next day, I arrived with my own pair of helpers, Sheri and Suzanne who were here from Colorado and are always ready for anything. 

We set up out in the big tree-shaded patio at the excellent giant art table, and soon our students arrived.

My idea was a simple one I'd taught before: Christmas luminarias suitable for presents and decoration. I did a quick demo and the kids went right to work.

I had brought along a few rolls of transparent cellophane in bright red and green and one with candy canes on it. Being constitutionally unable to abandon such potentially valuable supplies, I'd schlepped them with me from the States, and they were crucial for the project, as we'd use them to make our stained glass windows in the luminaria churches and houses.

What a swell mess, huh?

Nicole stopped by to see how we were doing. She's the one back there with the big smile. 

After an hour and a half or so of diligent creativity, during which one of the boys found a packet of foil butterflies in the bottom of the glitter box which soon became a very popular decoration for all, we had some finished products.

It didn't take long for the kids to discover other uses for their luminaria.

I heard from friends later who had seen the students walking home carrying or wearing their Christmas projects, which put a smile on my face for sure.

Entreamigos offers so many great services and opportunities to our entire community, including a real recycling center, classes, a bilingual library, a computer lab, a gift shop featuring things made at the center, and the Recicla Shop where donated used clothing and other goods are sold. The paid staff of entreamigos numbers more than twenty, and many people here volunteer yearlong in every imaginable capacity.

Next Thursday, Dec. 15, from 4 to 8 p.m., they are hosting a Holiday Gift Market featuring more than 25 local artists and artisans. Their own gift shop will be open, too, and there will be music, food and a raffle.

Maria at the Recicla Shop reminded me that lots of parents and children were coming in to the shop to buy Christmas gifts and presents for their teachers, and that she'd sure appreciate the donation of vases and art and household items, which seem to be popular gift choices.

There are countless other ways to help, even from afar. Please take a moment to check the links below. You might get an idea or an inspiration to brighten this Christmas season for yourself and someone else, too.

5 Cool (and easy) Ways to Support entreamigos!

All About entreamigos

P.S. We used a lot of glitter, glitter glue, pipe cleaners, markers, butterflies, etc. etc., during that project and others. So if you have space in the corner of your suitcase next time you come to San Pancho...

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Comments

[Travis]

How fun for you to help the children create those little masterpieces. And talk about getting back more than you give! Hearing about Jeremy's progress and how he's now aspiring to 5th-grade-level work must make you feel very proud. Congrats!

[jeremy]

Always appreciate when someone gives back to the community. It looks like a wonderful art project for the kids to dive into. I am insprired and have started on my own luminary that will fit perfectly over Travis's head! Merry Christmas.

[Gretchen Goodliffe]

what a great project and also maybe even a better way to learn spanish than in a classroom!!! I seem to do so much better with my feeble espanol when I am with kids because they don't look at you as tho' you have failed yet another attempt at communicating! And what marvelous glue and paper luminerias. I think Candice had the best time of the whole lot "franny" !!! You just fit in that little town like a key in a keyhole. Great Christmas presents! and great memories for a bunch of kids!

[franny]

Now there is a fabulous addition to your holiday celebrations, Candice. Who had more fun, you or those kiddos? And that was a great plug for e-a, which I often refer to as the heartbeat of San Pancho.