First Real Instructional Lesson

Until now, I have been teaching craft activities. But, I challenged myself to teach a real instructional art activity. I had taught hundreds of  kids back home to draw a compass rose recently. Using the translator app on my phone, I learned a few new Spanish words; punto (dot) and que sigue? (what's next?) and I was ready to go.
We had a good group of 13 students. Some kids arrived in the back of a pick up truck. Nothing unusual here.

I taught the class the same way I would teach any group of kids. I do the first step first. I use the chalk board/white board, but I also like to do it for reals. I get them to gather around and watch me do step one on the same paper they are using. I repeat the step over and over. I was teaching them to measure and telling them where to put the dots.  Then I send them back to their seat to do it. I float around and make sure everyone is doing it correctly.

This papa was hanging out watching. He got closer and closer and then he jumped in and helped his kids. Moonie said this was very unusual. The papa and I chatted and laughed. I didn't think anything of it. I'm glad he stayed.

Then I bring them back to my demo and do step two, send them back to their paper, etc...
"Observame, mirame, mira por favor/Watch me, look at me, look please." The kids had a great time. I could tell that some had never used a ruler before, but that wasn't unusual. At some point, we all learn how to use a ruler to draw a line from a punto to a punto.

As kids finished I help up theirs and announced it was finished and got the class to applaud. The kids quickly learned to bring me their finished drawing. They all want the group recognition of a job well done!

Teaching the Kiddos!

I put up posters in the Centre listing the days I would be teaching an art class for kids (clase de art para ninos). On Fridays there is a breakfast program. Breakfast gets served at 10am on Friday, so I got to the Centre early and taught an art activity to some of the kids who arrived early. Other volunteers were there to pass out paper and crayons too. So many people volunteer at the Centre, it's really fabulous! The women who run the kitchen and cook the food are volunteers. They get tokens for thier help and they can use the tokens to shop at the store right in the Centre. It is packed full of clothes and other small household items.
Today the kids made a simple craft of a butterfly. I am learning so much Spanish. The kids speak no English except for the name of the colors and they love to teach me the Spanish word for the colors! I draw out the activity step-by-step and then write down the words for fold, cut, glue, etc. I'm not sure how much some kids can read but I can glance at the board and remember the word. This is the only thing that I do different here. I've been teaching the way I teach any group of kids. No one gets the supplies until they watch me first. "Observame!" I do it first and you do it second. After the demo, they have to repeat back to me the steps. First, you fold.... Second you draw the... Third you cut it out the...

 
Once they can repeat back to me all the steps then they get the supplies. I will help anyone who needs it. I drew the butterfly for a little girl and then the older kids wanted me to draw theirs. "No, poquito." (pointing to the little one.) "Facil" (pointing to them.) They get it right away and smirk. "No, she's only little, it's easy for you guys, you have to do it."
I asked the kids what the Spanish word for antennae was, when I made a motion with my hands on my head. They all said it at once: "Antenae!"

The kids had a lot of fun. It is really obvious that some have had very little art instruction or at least very limited opportunity to make a craft. When the meals were delivered, they did not want to stop. But, the Mexican women insisted we stop the craft so they could eat. We took away the scissors and glue and pencils until they finished eating. And soon after the meal the volunteers began to clean up. Next time I will get there earlier and hopefully the kids will get there earlier too.
They all know I am teaching again tomorrow. "Hasta manana!" as they left with their mariposa (butterfly). "See you tomorrow."

 

 

Take a Walk with Us!

 

You can here me huffing and puffing. I don't know why. I wasn't out of breath. I notice mom breathing heavy too. We think it's the change in altitude as we are 5000ft above sea level here.
click this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-EVIwNWQpU

First Visit to the Centre

Today, we went into the Tepehua Centro Communitario with Moonie. She gave us the grand tour. It is a very bright and large space. It was already full of hustle and bustle with the gals preparing rice and bean burritos and juice for the breakfast program. The kids were happily hanging out playing with toys, waiting. The kitchen was fully equipped with 2 beautiful stoves and a fume hood. It was expanded and built by a Rotary Club. Soooo many Rotary Clubs from all over North America have helped expand the building and it's resources.



There is a plaque for each rotary club who has helped make the Tepehua Centre what it is today.

 

Other rooms included a pantry, and a more private eating area for the moms. An outdoor play yard separates the dental clinic and women's health clinic. The Dental clinic was in full swing. The Intern was there and there were a few nurses too. The facility is new and very professional. The women's clinic was quiet. A new expansion is being built now which will concentrate on maternity care.
Upstairs there was a storage area, the sewing room and a computer room.
I identified some small repairs and fixes and organizing I could help out with.
Moonie was meeting someone to discuss new solar panels being installed so I met Dian. She is the Education Coordinator. When we walked through the Centre and the kids all vied for her attention and waves, she had my envy. I knew that she and I had a lot to talk about! And we did! I feel like I've known her for forever!


She is leaving for Texas for a week, so I will run some of her programming until she returns. And it will all begin tomorrow.
I better decide on a craft project and learn some related Spanish words!


This is Fatima. Someone stuck the sticker from her sucker on her head, ha ha. She let mom take her photo and then gave mom a big hug. Of course, I had to get one too. Her brother then seemed obliged to give us a hug too. Adorable!



A Description of My Adventure to Mexico

This describes my project. This is how my GoFundMe campaign (gofundme.com/gailhodder) reads:

I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to teach art to thousands of children in Prince Edward Island, Canada and it's time to pass on the Joy of Art to a group of less fortunate children. 
Plans are in motion to fulfill a journey to the Tepehua community of Chapala, one of the poorest in Jalisco, Mexico.
I am ready to give back to a very poor community and will volunteer for one month to teach art to children. In Chapala some parents cannot afford to send their children to school.  While parents try to provide the basics of living, children are often left on the streets. Luckily, the Tepehua Community Centre , is providing assistance through education of all facets and they would greatly benefit from having me volunteer there to teach visual art and craft. Studies have shown that arts education improves reading, writing and math skills, improves social skills and is motivational, especially to those in poor communities. But, perhaps more than this, being creative and making art and crafts brings great joy to children. While we Canadians may consider drawing and coloring a natural occurrence in our children’s growth and development, for some children in the Chapala region, having a piece of paper and a pencil, and an opportunity and place in which to create and have fun makes a huge difference to their day. My plan is to teach a group of older children a technique first, and then have them teach the younger children the same technique. We will explore many aspects of making art and creating but concentrate on the motifs, colour palate and images from their culture.
Part of my time with the Tepehua Community Centre will also be spent teaching the organizers some art skills, so that they can feel confident teaching and passing on these skills. The Community Centre will provide me with free accommodations. Yay!
Here's a short video of me discussing my profession: Gail Hodder - Visual Arts Educator
To show my appreciation, each contributor to my GoFundMe campaign will receive an original charcoal drawing from me! 
Funds raised will be used towards my transportation to Mexico, art supplies for the children and my meals.
I will be starting a Facebook Page/Blog to promote my Fundraising Journey and to post lots and lots of videos and images of my time in Mexico with the kids!
Let's do this together!!!!! Be a part of this journey with me!
Thank you,

What inspired me?

People inspire me.
Tammy, a woman in my community who adopted 2 children from China and raised countless dollars for other families wanting to to adopt.
Emily, age 19, from Prince Edward Island, who did the El Camino, not once, but twice!
Trudy G, a fellow jeweller from New Brunswick who has been going to the Chapala region for several years to teach the adult women new jewellery making techniques.
My kids! Loudon and Brennus are age 12 and 10. I want to teach them that there is a whole wide world out there. They are so fascinated by my venture and with the ease of technology, they can follow ever step.
My children's uncle inspired me when he and a group of other doctors went to Africa to provide free health care to a village. One year, he took his two oldest children with him, who were just tweens at the time.

I lived in Canada's Arctic for 5 years. Living in another culture inspired me.

Other people's stories and adventures inspire me. Stories of Inuit being lost on the tundra and surviving. Modern day adventurers like Don Starkle, Paddle to the Arctic and Victoria Jason, Kabloona in a Yellow Kayak who paddled through the Arctic. I read both of their books while living in Repulse Bay, NU. While living in Inuvik, NT, I recall many stories of people travelling the famous MacKenzie River by any means, even rafts.
I was once on the Dempster Highway with friends having a picnic and out of nowhere comes an elderly man on a bike. Coming from the south meant that he would have had to travel over 700 km on a gravel highway. He told us it was a personal journey.
When in Inuvik, there was a film screening about a husband and wife team who followed the Canadian herd of Caribou on foot. Karsten Heuer and Leanne Allison documented this powerful adventure; Being Caribou.
Adventures by actor Ewen McGregor and friend Charley Boorman when they traveled by motorcycle all around the world going through many countries and therefore encountering many cultures. Both adventures were filmed; Long Way Round and Long Way Down are a must watch.
Movies inspire me: Into the Wild, The Wild, Tracks, The Way...

Why...why this and why now?

I want to wake myself up.
I grew up in a small town in a traditional family. My mom was a stay at home wife and my father worked every day.
I always wanted something different. I dreamed of travelling and seeing the world. I moved to another province (PEI) when I was 18 to attend university and met so many people from other places and other cultures.
From there, I moved to another province (Ontario) and met more and more people from more and more cultures. I was fascinated.
After art college I moved to Canada's arctic where I was completely immersed into the Inuit, Inuvialuit and Gwich'in cultures for 5 years. It was a dream for me and I loved it.
When I had my first child I imagined him coming with his dad and I to many different places. He was born in Inuvik, NWT. His first flight was across the country at 6 weeks old. His second flight was moving to PEI at 8 months old.
I had my second child 2 years later and I became a stay at home wife for 5 years. We bought a house, and became a traditional family.
This was not what i had planned, not what I had dreamed of. My marriage ended 5 years ago and it honestly took 5 years to get past it. Lawyers, legal fees, division of property, child custody, etc is crippling.
Now, my children are well adjusted to two households and are old enough to not miss their mom (too much). My finances are back on track and I have a job that will permit me to take a month leave without pay (and I've saved my vacation days).
It's time for me to get back to my my childhood dream, to live an non traditional life, to travel, to explore another culture. It's time to teach my children too.
I don't want to work 9-5 every day without life experiences that will change me. I want to grow as a human. I want to feel and see and smell and taste a different place that will stay with me and become part of me. I want to wake myself up to how well I have it. How much we have. How lucky I am.

The first step into my journey to help give back is raising the fund to get to Mexico, with art supplies in hand.
www.gofundme.com/gailhodder

"I'm not afraid to be goof when I teach, as long as the kids learn." ~Gail Hodder, 2015