Youth Action Partners for Development
Youth Action Partners for Development (YAP4D)
The Netza Project Reaches 10-year Literacy Goals and Receives International Recognition.
Netza North American Peace Now! Project launched with hundreds of student letters to the White House
Over 400 students in the Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa region of southern Mexico wrote letters of Peace and Friendship to President and Michelle Obama; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Felipe Calderon, and Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper. A long-term desire for increased cultural understanding across borders was the intent of the effort, generated by The Netza Project at its special multi-lingual public primary school site for over 500 migrant, indigenous and street children, The Netzahualcoyotl School. Visiting volunteer teens and educators from The Purpose Society Secondary School in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, shared in classroom discussions and helped write the illustrated letters on March 20. Netza Project Founder Lisa Martin delivered them to Washington, D.C. in April. Rising poverty levels among families broken by migration and affected by reduced tourism, as well as the need for more effective and compassionate humanitarian aid for education and the continued re-empowerment of youth, women and indigenous people are motivations behind the Netza Peace Now! Project. “Demonstrating to students and women that their voices matter is the impact we plan to have,” says Martin. The recent increased US media attention to rising drug-traffic related violence at Mexico’s borders, the resulting reduction in tourism, and the dropping peso make this peace effort more essential than ever. “We are ONE family of real people across this continent, and government needs to re-embrace this.” A campus Peace Now! Demonstration celebrated the student’s efforts. Maine second graders who have been pen pals and cultural exchange amigos with Netza students for three years also wrote peace poems which were included in the package of letters to the White House so that three countries were represented. Other schools and communities are invited to participate.
In January, 2009, fifteen-year Rotarian and international change advocate Lisa Martin - and Rotary - were recognized with two Mayor’s Awards of Recognition for a decade of altruistic service to the Netzahualcoyotl (“Netza”) School for Indigenous Children, and to the community of Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa, in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Through her determined efforts as a humanitarian, Rotarian, and also founder of a USA-Mexico-Canada non-profit, The Netza Project (a 501-c3), Lisa – along with many private donors, family foundations, Rotary allies and the Zihuatanejo community and parents - has helped create a sustainable future for over 500 underserved street, migrant and indigenous children, women and families in the region, as well as created healing and empowering model partnerships with dozens of Rotary Clubs, schools, universities, and communities across North America. Martin created an innovative women’s micro-finance program, Netza student scholarships, and a Netza International Peace and Literacy Fellow visiting volunteer teacher program. (photo, right: Sanchez and Martin in January, 2009).
Lisa Martin and Netzahualcoyotl School Founder Marina Sanchez Hernandez will also be honored by Rotary District Governor Bob Blacker and Lt. Governor of British Columbia Steven L. Point at the May 21-23, 2009 Rotary International District 5040 Conference in Victoria, B.C. Martin and Sanchez – a Nahuatl/Spanish educator who has dedicated her career to equal-access, multi-lingual education and indigenous justice - will be recognized for their innovative work in international human rights, the advancement of indigenous culture and literacy, and reducing poverty. Point, a native American, is partnering with Rotary to build libraries in remote B.C. indigenous communities and is a leading literacy advocate in Canada.
The Netza Project & Rotary News – Page 2 April 14, 2009
Upcoming Trips, Events and Donor Partnership Opportunities
A new 200-child Netza Kokoyotzin preschool and kindergarten is under construction in partnership with the mayor’s office of Zihuatanejo, and a women’s international library and multi-cultural center are planned on the growing Netza School campus. Expanded links to U.S. and Canada universities, and migrant and indigenous communities for teacher, educator and human rights exchange across borders are ongoing. Donors, families, foundations, schools and clubs contributing donations ranging from $500 to $25,000 will be recognized on a new International Wall of Friendship (Muro de Amistad Internacional) of distinctive, colorful hand-painted tiles to be installed at the school in 2009-2010. Donations or Pledges made before June 1, 2009 will be matched (doubled) in a $100,000 President’s challenge campaign currently underway.
The Netza Project welcomes visitors and volunteers, and seeks ways to connect with Rotarians, educators, NGOs and other partners involved in advancing literacy, Latino, migrant and indigenous relations, and sustainable community development internationally. Lisa Martin was Mexico again March 9 to 25 hosting a school youth group from The Purpose Society Secondary School in the City of Vancouver (New Westminster), B.C; will travel there in late Jun to work with 30 Master’s Degree educators from the University of Colorado/Boulder Bueno Multi-Cultural teacher training program. A Rotarian work week is planned for mid-November 2009 with the City of Vancouver, British Columbia Rotary Amigos and others who wish to engage in hands-on literacy, construction and cultural understanding work. Since 1999, over 30 US and Canada Rotary Clubs and 20 schools have served with or supported The Netza Project’s work in advancing cultural understanding across North America, empowering underserved women & youth, & ending poverty through literacy & voice.
A Bainbridge Island/Greater Seattle, WA Netza Project Amigos international “Be the Change” brunch is planned for Sunday April 26, 1:30 pm on Bainbridge Island. Get info and RSVP to info@netzaproject.org; 360-697-5467. Portland, OR; Santa Barbara, CA; Bay area / Napa, CA; New England; Montana; Colorado; British Columbia; and other area chapters also invite new members into their upcoming 2009/2010 activities. Contact The Netza Project for Amigo chapters new you or to initiate one.
Lisa Martin (Wellesley ’81) was a Wellesley College Stevens International Fellow traveling in Mexico in 2002-2003, and is also now finishing a book and launching a video/voice interactive web & media project she began then, The Zihua Diaries, chronicling the decade of her life, travels, and the relationships which have irrevocably changed and inspired her in a career of writing, advocacy, and world service, especially to advance the literacy and voices of minority and underserved children, women and girls. Zihua means “woman” in Nahuatl/Aztec, one of the four native languages spoken and honored at the now-state certified six-language public Netza School, which today is educating over 500 children ages 3 to 12 who would otherwise not have access to Mexico public school. Zihuatanejo means “place of women,” and is a growing tourist region of over 120,000. Sanchez and Martin have also created literacy and community empowerment links with remote Sierra Madre native villages in the State of Guerrero. Lisa Martin has received a Woman of the Year recognition and a Rotary District Service Award for advancing world peace and cultural understanding. She is a popular inspirational speaker to schools & groups passionate about making change.
Reach Lisa Martin anytime/anywhere at U.S. cell 508-284-0078 or office/home 360-697-5467; email info@netzaproject.org. See www.lisabmartin.com and see also www.netzaproject.org where a brief UTube slide show is posted. Information on Lisa Martin’s media project will soon be at www.zihuadiaries.net
Please Download the attached press release
Over 400 students in the Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa region of southern Mexico wrote letters of Peace and Friendship to President and Michelle Obama; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Felipe Calderon, and Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper. A long-term desire for increased cultural understanding across borders was the intent of the effort, generated by The Netza Project at its special multi-lingual public primary school site for over 500 migrant, indigenous and street children, The Netzahualcoyotl School. Visiting volunteer teens and educators from The Purpose Society Secondary School in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, shared in classroom discussions and helped write the illustrated letters on March 20. Netza Project Founder Lisa Martin delivered them to Washington, D.C. in April. Rising poverty levels among families broken by migration and affected by reduced tourism, as well as the need for more effective and compassionate humanitarian aid for education and the continued re-empowerment of youth, women and indigenous people are motivations behind the Netza Peace Now! Project. “Demonstrating to students and women that their voices matter is the impact we plan to have,” says Martin. The recent increased US media attention to rising drug-traffic related violence at Mexico’s borders, the resulting reduction in tourism, and the dropping peso make this peace effort more essential than ever. “We are ONE family of real people across this continent, and government needs to re-embrace this.” A campus Peace Now! Demonstration celebrated the student’s efforts. Maine second graders who have been pen pals and cultural exchange amigos with Netza students for three years also wrote peace poems which were included in the package of letters to the White House so that three countries were represented. Other schools and communities are invited to participate.
In January, 2009, fifteen-year Rotarian and international change advocate Lisa Martin - and Rotary - were recognized with two Mayor’s Awards of Recognition for a decade of altruistic service to the Netzahualcoyotl (“Netza”) School for Indigenous Children, and to the community of Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa, in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Through her determined efforts as a humanitarian, Rotarian, and also founder of a USA-Mexico-Canada non-profit, The Netza Project (a 501-c3), Lisa – along with many private donors, family foundations, Rotary allies and the Zihuatanejo community and parents - has helped create a sustainable future for over 500 underserved street, migrant and indigenous children, women and families in the region, as well as created healing and empowering model partnerships with dozens of Rotary Clubs, schools, universities, and communities across North America. Martin created an innovative women’s micro-finance program, Netza student scholarships, and a Netza International Peace and Literacy Fellow visiting volunteer teacher program. (photo, right: Sanchez and Martin in January, 2009).
Lisa Martin and Netzahualcoyotl School Founder Marina Sanchez Hernandez will also be honored by Rotary District Governor Bob Blacker and Lt. Governor of British Columbia Steven L. Point at the May 21-23, 2009 Rotary International District 5040 Conference in Victoria, B.C. Martin and Sanchez – a Nahuatl/Spanish educator who has dedicated her career to equal-access, multi-lingual education and indigenous justice - will be recognized for their innovative work in international human rights, the advancement of indigenous culture and literacy, and reducing poverty. Point, a native American, is partnering with Rotary to build libraries in remote B.C. indigenous communities and is a leading literacy advocate in Canada.
The Netza Project & Rotary News – Page 2 April 14, 2009
Upcoming Trips, Events and Donor Partnership Opportunities
A new 200-child Netza Kokoyotzin preschool and kindergarten is under construction in partnership with the mayor’s office of Zihuatanejo, and a women’s international library and multi-cultural center are planned on the growing Netza School campus. Expanded links to U.S. and Canada universities, and migrant and indigenous communities for teacher, educator and human rights exchange across borders are ongoing. Donors, families, foundations, schools and clubs contributing donations ranging from $500 to $25,000 will be recognized on a new International Wall of Friendship (Muro de Amistad Internacional) of distinctive, colorful hand-painted tiles to be installed at the school in 2009-2010. Donations or Pledges made before June 1, 2009 will be matched (doubled) in a $100,000 President’s challenge campaign currently underway.
The Netza Project welcomes visitors and volunteers, and seeks ways to connect with Rotarians, educators, NGOs and other partners involved in advancing literacy, Latino, migrant and indigenous relations, and sustainable community development internationally. Lisa Martin was Mexico again March 9 to 25 hosting a school youth group from The Purpose Society Secondary School in the City of Vancouver (New Westminster), B.C; will travel there in late Jun to work with 30 Master’s Degree educators from the University of Colorado/Boulder Bueno Multi-Cultural teacher training program. A Rotarian work week is planned for mid-November 2009 with the City of Vancouver, British Columbia Rotary Amigos and others who wish to engage in hands-on literacy, construction and cultural understanding work. Since 1999, over 30 US and Canada Rotary Clubs and 20 schools have served with or supported The Netza Project’s work in advancing cultural understanding across North America, empowering underserved women & youth, & ending poverty through literacy & voice.
A Bainbridge Island/Greater Seattle, WA Netza Project Amigos international “Be the Change” brunch is planned for Sunday April 26, 1:30 pm on Bainbridge Island. Get info and RSVP to info@netzaproject.org; 360-697-5467. Portland, OR; Santa Barbara, CA; Bay area / Napa, CA; New England; Montana; Colorado; British Columbia; and other area chapters also invite new members into their upcoming 2009/2010 activities. Contact The Netza Project for Amigo chapters new you or to initiate one.
Lisa Martin (Wellesley ’81) was a Wellesley College Stevens International Fellow traveling in Mexico in 2002-2003, and is also now finishing a book and launching a video/voice interactive web & media project she began then, The Zihua Diaries, chronicling the decade of her life, travels, and the relationships which have irrevocably changed and inspired her in a career of writing, advocacy, and world service, especially to advance the literacy and voices of minority and underserved children, women and girls. Zihua means “woman” in Nahuatl/Aztec, one of the four native languages spoken and honored at the now-state certified six-language public Netza School, which today is educating over 500 children ages 3 to 12 who would otherwise not have access to Mexico public school. Zihuatanejo means “place of women,” and is a growing tourist region of over 120,000. Sanchez and Martin have also created literacy and community empowerment links with remote Sierra Madre native villages in the State of Guerrero. Lisa Martin has received a Woman of the Year recognition and a Rotary District Service Award for advancing world peace and cultural understanding. She is a popular inspirational speaker to schools & groups passionate about making change.
Reach Lisa Martin anytime/anywhere at U.S. cell 508-284-0078 or office/home 360-697-5467; email info@netzaproject.org. See www.lisabmartin.com and see also www.netzaproject.org where a brief UTube slide show is posted. Information on Lisa Martin’s media project will soon be at www.zihuadiaries.net
Please Download the attached press release
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The Netza Project.doc, 1.4 MB
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