On January 3rd, a group of 13 New York University students taking part in an Alternative Breaks program arrived in Oaxaca to work with members of Colonia Manatanial, a pueblo located about 20 km south of Oaxaca City in the region of Zaachila, as they constructed their proposed new kindergarden. After an extensive orientation, including a trip to “tomb raid” the incredible ruins of the Zapotec kingdom at Monte Alban, nights spent soaking up the nativity scenes and music shows in the Zocalo, and savoring some Mexican home cooking with their host families, they were ready to get down and dirty.

With a productive spirit of partnership, the college students joined community members in every aspect of the project, from breaking ground on Day One to breaking bread on Kings’ Day, January 6th,  when the students joined members of the pueblo in celebrating this important holiday by gorging on the traditional Rosca de Reyes cake. Their collective energy and effort allowed the group to finish in time so that the community’s next generation of children will have an appropriate building for play and instruction, as opposed to the crowded room attached to the church where they have been conducting lessons in the interim.

One NYU student confided that on a past trip to Paraguay she was impressed and inspired by “the things the community did for themselves and the way they organized their development projects.” She continued to add, “I’ve  found the same spirit here in Mexico and am so happy to have been a part of it.”

At a commemorative ceremony, community members expressed motivation from and gratitude for the commitment of the students who returned as promised after helping build a different school the previous year. Likewise, one humbled NYU student shared feelings of appreciation for the skills and knowledge the community members and project leaders shared with them, admitting, “ I thought I was handy before I came, and then I realized I didn’t even know how to use a hammer,” proudly adding,  “I’ve learned so much from this experience.”

Meanwhile, her cohort Nikelesh has started a fierce campaign to get his homestay grandmother to take over management of the NYU dining hall! Buena Suerte y Buen Provecha…

For more information about establishing a customized group program for your school with ProMexico or any of our ProWorld project sites, visit:

http://www.myproworld.org/partner_schools/custom_group_programs.htm