Mazatlan Mexico

 

Steve Robinson, presented to the club on his Mexico Project. Steve and his family visit Mazatlan Mexico on a regular basis. He started his presentation by highlighting the city as a typical winter playground for Canadian and American tourists, with the usual 5 star hotels, cruise ships and beaches. Great Restaurants and activities.

 

Steve then transitioned into the other side of Mexico that most tourists only get a glimpse of. The average daily wage in Mexico he explained is about $8 a day. The cost of food and gas is the same as in Canada, so for the average Mexican life can be very difficult. They do not live the 5-star lifestyle.

 

Steve and his family became associated with La Vina Church, an organization run by volunteers who spend their winter in Mazatlan, and spend their days helping the needy, including the 100 or so that live in Mazatlán’s city dump. The church also build schools and try to help the forgotten obtain a little better life.

 

Because he has a place in Mazatlan, when Steve travels to Mazatlan, his family uses their luggage allowance to bring gently used children’s clothes and shoes, that are cherished by the poor children, but also allow them to attend schools, as wearing shoes is a requirement to attend at all.

 

Steve shared a video https://youtu.be/wkF8t4DwfWM which gave a good insight into the other side of many of the winter vacation destinations of Canadians, and shows how many struggles to meet daily needs.