Important Update - Cambiando Vidas

In the next few weeks, part-time residents of Chacala will be arriving to spend the winter and, due to arrive around November 27th, is Mariana Day, President of Cambiando Vidas. Mariana is Chacala's number one fund raise - her efforts have afforded some of Chacala's brightest children the chance of a better future through Cambiando Vidas' Scholarship Program.


Less than 10 years ago Chacala was still a sleepy fishing village that came alive around Christmas/New Year, Easter and several Mexican holidays. In 1996, Dale Reinhardt a Rotarian from No. Carolina enlisted his club and Rotary International to build a library right here in the village.

(Kids on the steps to the Learning Center taking a break from their painting.)

Over the subsequent years, many volunteers have contributed their time, energy and cash to expand the library and bring educational opportunities to the children of Chacala. Most importantly among those are Chacala residents Ana Getzoff and Susana Escobido. To read about the whole history of how the Chacala library grew into the computerized Learning Center it is today, please go to www.chacala.org and click on "History of Rotary in Chacala".


Antonelly leading the monthly EBACH (Scholarship kids) meeting.

Cambiando Vidas (Changing Lives) is the nonprofit organization working in Chacala to give children educational opportunities through a Scholarship Program and providing support for the Learning Center which includes the Book Library, Computer Lab with high-speed Internet access, After-school Enrichment and Head Start programs, School Hot Lunch Program, and a Tool Lending Library.

This year Cambiando Vidas faces a difficult time financially. Due to the financial meltdown in the USA and elsewhere, fund-raising efforts have been seriously affected. Their donors are naturally concerned about their declining retirement funds, and some have dropped out of the program, leaving some students without sponsors. Each year Mariana has tried to expand the scholarship program but this year CV will not be able to take on any new students, as their first priority will be to find funds to support the students that are already in the program. Cutbacks in scholarship support may also be necessary in order to meet the budget.

We are especially challenged now as our first students graduate from high school—most the first in their family to do so—and go on to University. Each and every donation made is vital to their success. Because of our donors, the children are able to pursue their education as well as use and enjoy the Dale Reinhardt Learning Center every day. Together we are indeed changing lives, Cambiando Vidas - we hope you will visit us soon to witness the miracles created by your loving generosity.

CAMBIANDO VIDAS is a charitable organization with United States Internal Revenue Service 501 (c) 3 tax -exempt status. EIN 73-166898 You can make a donation thru our PayPal tab on our website or send a check to Cambiando Vidas, 245 Mt. Hermon Rd., PMB 312, Scotts Valley, Ca. 95066 www.chacala.org