Fortalecer
Formerly known as C.O.W.

Mission Statement

Fortalecer empowers communities and families by providing educational programs, health and wellness services, and income generating opportunities in the spirit of community cooperation.

Fortalecer began as the Classroom on Wheels (COW) Project in 2006 in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Fortalecer, a Spanish word, means to strengthen, to fortify. In our second year, COW continues to be the initial focus of Fortalecer. Our goal is to provide a nontraditional classroom environment to the children of two regional migrant agricultural camps located near Todos Santos. Together, the camps consist of approximately ____ families with an estimated 250 children ranging in ages from three months to pre-teen. The majority of these families are of indigenous descent, with Spanish as their second language.

The COW Project is made possible by volunteers who conduct weekly visits to the camps. Our principal objective is to focus on the well being of the children. This is done by providing the children with opportunities to engage in hands-on activities: art projects, organized games, puzzles, creative play, music, and literacy and mathematics. These activities are designed and implemented to support and enhance the children’s development in the areas of cognition, communication skills, social/emotional skills, creativity and imagination, and physical growth. We strive to increase each child’s self esteem. This is facilitated through the thoughtful organization of centers, where each volunteer has the opportunity to engage the children in small groups or one-on-one contact. Each volunteer is encouraged to engage the children with a deep sense of caring, aided by imagination, creativity, and a sense of humor. We expect that COW will have a significant impact on the future development of each child.

The volunteers provide the transportation to and from each site. We arrive at the camps with organized, portable centers to set up the classroom. After each session is completed, the materials are packed in large plastic containers, ready to be used during the next visit.

Given our goals, we are mindful that we must consciously work to ensure the longevity of this important and worthwhile program. Because we are not a political group, it is imperative that COW volunteers do not engage any of the children, adults, superiors or caretakers in conversations about employment issues. We have obtained permission from the company to visit their camps and to instruct the children of the workers. Therefore we must respect their directives and do our best to make a difference in the lives of these children.

GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTEERS

If you wish to become a part of this program, please consider the following:

  • Our presence has one objective: the health and well being of the children.
  • Our focus is on provision of enriching and stimulating activities. Offering gifts or prizes is not our aim. This can foster competition among the families and children. Gifts can only be given if there is one for each child.
  • We visit the camps as a group. Visiting the camps individually is strongly discouraged. Going by yourself is not only detrimental to our project, but may also put your safety at risk.
  • Your physical appearance should not overshadow the program. Dress appropriately and comfortably. Avoid clothes with big brand advertising and/or revealing shorts and tops.
  • Consider anything donated or brought to the camps as expendable. Many supplies end up broken or borrowed by the children.
  • Each applicant will be interviewed to explore his/her interests and commitment to the program.

CAMP VISIT ORGANIZATION

Each COW session lasts between two and three hours. Volunteers meet at the Centro Cultural at 2:15 pm on designated days for the trips to the camps.

Each session is organized around centers (i.e. art, science, drama, storytelling) with between 2 and 4 activities per center. The children are free to choose a center they will attend. Each volunteer is responsible for organizing and arranging their designated center. This includes planning the activity for the day, supplying necessary materials, and maintaining the materials (disinfecting, inventory, etc.) The volunteers are also responsible for taking their box home and bringing it with them to each visit. If the volunteer is not going to attend a visit, their box must be turned-in so that their center can be presented by another volunteer on that day.

COW is evolving. Volunteer feedback is important. Each volunteer will be given a journal to record their individual thoughts and ideas regarding successes, failures, and observations of the program. Periodically, we schedule meetings to discuss the progress and direction of the program. Volunteer participation supports our success.

As a volunteer, please communicate your strengths, interests and talents. If you have a special talent, interest, or specialization, Elena and Aaron would like to know about it. That way, we can explore the opportunity of incorporating it into our program.

For more information about our program, please contact Elena Ascencio, Director, or Aaron Balducci, Operations Director.

elenazencio@hotmail.com

balducciaaron@gmail.com

CENTERS AND ACTIVITIES
  • Reading and writing
  • Art
  • Clay
  • Science experiments
  • Sports
  • Creative play (building materials, figurines, etc.)
  • Music
  • Pre-literacy and literacy activities
  • Math
  • Drama
  • Additional considered activities

LEARNING MATERIALS
Art Supplies Crayons - Lead and colored pencils
Pencil sharpeners - Magic Markers - Poster paints/water colors - Paint brushes (all sizes) -
Scissors - Popsicle sticks - Dried pasta -String/yarn - Glue/glitter glue - Paper plates - Egg cartons
T-paper roll/paper towel rolls - Poster board, all colors - Paper (construction, copy, tracing, all colors)
Coloring /Dot-to-Dot books -

Experiential Learning Activities Supplies Play-dough materials (white flour, oil, cream of tartar,
salt, food coloring) - Cookie cutters, rolling pins for play-dough games - Drama props (hats, scarves,
crowns, glasses, etc.) - Jump ropes - Musical instruments-guitar, drums - Cars/trucks (all sizes)
Building toys (Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, wooden blocks, Leggos) - Toys for toddlers -
Read-a-loud books in Spanish - Puzzles - Games (Jenga, Concentration, Pickup Sticks, etc.)

Donations needed (General Supplies)  Large plastic storage boxes/containers - Antibacterial soap
Ziploc bags - Kleenex - Nametag stickers - Permanent markers - Clothes and shoes for both children
and adults - Blankets - Kitchen items - Soap & Toothpaste - Toothbrushes - Towels - Diapers -
Baby wipes - Oatmeal  - Baby food - Dried rice and beans  - Juice boxes  - Pasta - Bandanas

Todos Santos    Official Website