Posted by Vicky the Nurse on 10/14/2008, 10:10 am
209.226.150.185

An Accounting of Vicky’s Charitable Work 2007-2008 [Ken & Bea adjusted the English and formatted this report, and are posting it on Vicky’s behalf. If there are inaccuracies or bad translations from Spanish, blame us!] Hi my friends, I would like to say to everybody “Thanks a lot!” I would like everyone to trust that everything they bring is used to help very poor people. This is why I do this kind of job. Bob and I always made sure the people are really poor as we would have no reason to help people who have no need of it. I hope everyone understands me. I promised Bob I would continue in this charitable work. As long as people help me, I plan to continue—without your help, I would have to quit. I understand that this year is not easy, and that there are many financial problems. The economy is not good, but I trust God, and he will always put generous people in my way. Thanks to everyone for helping with this effort. In Bob’s name, thanks a lot! Don’t forget that I am only the transporter of your donations. This season, I plan to place a notebook inside the rear door of the dispensary (the door will be open if someone is home) on a small table. People visiting the dispensary are encouraged to leave a note with their name, telephone number in Guayabitos or La Penita and e-mail address. If you are dropping off a donation, please describe what you are leaving, and if you wish to accompany me on a delivery trip, indicate that too or telephone me on my cellular at 322-141-9132. If the dispensary is locked, you may leave donations in the garage—access at the rear. If you should wish to make a cash donation, I have found Western Union to be a good service. Delivery is quick, and there are no deductions. Address donations to: VIRGINIA FLORES RAMIREZ LA PENITA DE JALTEMBA, NAYARIT C.P.63726 COMPOSTELA NAYARIT, MEXICO. FOOD PACKETS Donations received were used to buy food for some 55 poor people every month. I know this a large number of people, but I have records of each of their names. Groceries purchased and distributed include milk, rice, beans, flour, pasta, canned tuna, cooking oil, sugar, sugar, cookies and cinnamon. From October, 2007 to September 2008, you have donated a total of 80 000 pesos. Expenses for that period were 132 191.54 pesos. [English adjuster’s note: It seems the need this past year was bigger than the finances by some 52 000 pesos. Hopefully her friends will help make up this shortfall when they visit this season.] Month-by-month expenses (in pesos) were: October, 2007 4 914.76 November 15 746.24 December 6 446.00 January, 2008 22 539.00 February 17 360.00 March 10 783.53 April 21 229.01 May 16 913.00 June 2 930.00 July 5 237.00 August 3 768.00 September 4325.00 Monthly expenses vary because the needs vary and supplies are bought and stockpiled for subsequent months. The reported expenses include, in addition to food supplies, 11 maternity layettes and an ongoing scholarship of 500 pesos per month for one young person, Jumara Martinez, who is attending university in Tepic. This pays the young lady’s rent, which is very inexpensive for the location. SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS During the 2007/2008 season, 24 communities were visited to identify needs and deliver aid. Fifteen kindergartens, 23 elementary schools and 8 high schools received help as detailed below. Physical Education Equipment: 23 sets of physical education equipment including soccer balls, volleyballs, basketballs and baskets and 37 first-aid kits Supplies for Kindergarten children (243 students): 486 boxes of crayons, 243 colouring books, 243 pairs of scissors, thousands and thousands of pencils, 215 packets of 10 pens, 28 boxes of chalk, 222 packages of coloured paper, 14 packages of Pla Doh 14 large erasers 120 packets of decorating paper 243 bottles of glue 243 toothbrushes, and 243 tubes of toothpaste (note: anyone who has accompanied Vicky on a school visit will know that students cannot escape a lecture on dental hygiene) Supplies for Elementary School Students (635 students) 1270 notebooks 1270 pens 2540 pencils 635 rulers 635 geometry sets 150 pairs of scissors 635 erasers 635 pencil sharpeners 28 bottles of glue 635 coloured pencils, and 28 highlighters Supplies for High School Students (269 in grades 7, 8 and 9) 538 notebooks, 269 binders, 269 geometry sets, 269 calculators, 269 rulers, 18 bottles of glue, 2000 sheets of white paper, 1076 pens, 1076 pencils, 269 coloured pencils, 36 boxes of highlighters, 269 toothbrushes, 269 small tubes of toothpaste, 50 rolls of dental floss, 80 backpacks, 5 computers (3 new and 2 used, but in very good condition), and 22 pairs of tennis shoes. Computers, monitors and printers were also donated and delivered to an orphanage in Tepic for children learning to use computers, Candido Salazar, El Tonino and La Joya. I’m sorry I don’t have accurate records as to who donated which of these items, so Id better not begin naming people. Saludos, Vicky the nurse.