Only 3 more weeks for this semester!

Fran has been studying straight for 4 hours, discrete math. She just took a short break and is now back at it. She has a jacket on because it is really cold in Oaxaca tonight! Sometimes Fran is in her room most of the day (on her "days off") studying. Last night she told me she'll will sit with a single problem for hours until she figures it out. If she starts to go crazy, she'll go visit her friend the Oaxacan dentist for some friendly conversation, and then return refreshed to dig in again. Sometimes she goes to the web for help, or to the Oaxaca Learning Center which is only 2 blocks away. I remain in awe.

Steven and Leeann visit and help with our Squeeze-By Budget!

Steven, Fran and Leeann after our lunch meeting at the Zocalo, Oaxaca

We finally have a budget that will allow Fran to finish school!  We are seeking people who can commit to a small monthly amount to help cover what we still need:  $56.26 per month for the next 4.5 years.  $10 per month, or even $5 would really help!

Greetings friends!
First a little catch-up on how Fran has been doing.  She is still among the top 2 or top 5 in her class depending on the week, and that is out of 30 students.  One of her most valuable learning skills is her willingness to ask questions when she doesn't understand, and to connect with her teachers.  The professors at this institution do the opposite of coddling their students!  They ask students to leave the class if they are behind on their homework, or if they yawn.  They are not allowed to take notes, so the students must understand and be able to discuss the material in class.  That means they are going to fail if they don't ask questions and speak up -- the prof assumes that they understand everything perfectly unless they indicate otherwise.  So Fran speaks up all the time, and is often asked to come to the front of the class to explain problems to the others.  If the teacher gives 20 pages of homework, Fran completes all of them -- as opposed to other students who may complete 3 or 4.

Her weak subject was investigation (research) and methodology, but not any more.  She met with this professor for 3 hours recently, consulted a few times with Marisol, and is now on-track and enthusiastic.

Budget!

Numbers are not my strong suit, so when Leeann and Steven showed up from Oregon I jumped at the opportunity to get their moral support on creating a budget that will get Fran through the next 4.5 years to her engineering degree.

THE SQUEEZE-BY BUDGET REVEALS THAT WE NEED TO PLUG A MONTHLY HOLE OF $45 IN ORDER TO SQUEEZE BY.

We currently have the donors that are providing rent free accommodations (me), and 2 regular donors providing a total of $75/month, which almost covers her food bill.

Here's the Squeeze-By Budget, faithfully copied out by me on a restaurant placemat...

Monthly Budget for Fran: (current exchange rates)

$250 pesos / $18.92 dollars                        Pro-rated tuition ($3,000 pesos per year, payable $1,500 in
                                                                   July and January)  NOT ACCOUNTED FOR
$1000 pesos / $75.70 dollars                     Transportation (COVERED for the next 3 years by a grant)
$1000 pesos / $75.70 dollars                     (Minimum) Food COVERED
$500 pesos  / $37.34 dollars                      Materials and small Expenses NOT ACCOUNTED FOR

$2,500 pesos ($207.66)

NEEDED TO CLOSE THE GAP: $56.26 dollars PER MONTH (Tuition + Materials)

Therefore, we are hoping to find donors who will commit to a small monthly donation to make up part of this gap.  Of course, one-time donations are always welcome too, and I will be able to reduce the gap.  Also, remember that this is a SQUEEZE-BY budget -- it doesn't include clothes, any entertainment, or (God forbid) medical expenses should they arise.  It's also possibly short in the food department, as this also includes toiletries, toilet paper (ha!) and laundry soap.

Please consider a donation, and perhaps you have one contact or friend who might also be interested in helping.

Donations can be made by going to this site:

 http://franciscaeducationfund.weebly.com/donate.html 


THANK YOU ALL!
LORENA AND FRAN

Days of the Dead in Oaxaca! Fran's progress!

Fran in front of the church at Santa Ana Zegache, restored by the local people under the supervision of the artist Rudolfo Morales.

Fran at the Days of the Dead altar to artist Rudolfo Morales at his home in Ocotlan.

Sand tapete (carpet) in front of the Basilica de Soledad, Oaxaca

Fran and Catrina, after the performance of "Copijcha" at Teatro Macedonia Alcala

 

Hi friends,

Last week Fran and I attended a production of "Copijcha" at the Macedonia Alcala (see clip above), and then we went for a day trip with David to Velasco, Zegache and Ocotlan.  She hasn't seen any of the surrounding ruins or pueblos, so I am going to try and gradually introduce her to the rich heritage that surrounds her in Oaxaca.

Fran continues to excel in her school work and to impress her teachers.  She tells me she is among the top 5 or so people in her class in terms not only of grades, but of turning in her work dependably and keeping up with all the requirements.  She is putting a lot of time and energy into her calculus class and it is really paying off -- that includes attending evening classes at the Learning Center, participating in a study group several times a week, and disappearing into her room for many hours to study.  She seems to have a boundless appetite for learning.
 
I am leaving for the States on December 11 and will return on December 30.  Fran will be here except for a few days to visit her family.  Marisol will be going to Mexico City around the 20th of December for about 3 weeks, so it looks like Fran will have the place to herself for 10 days, minus the time she is with her family.  Leeann and Steven will be visiting during that time, and so Fran will not be completely on her own.  During their visit they will sit down with me to help work out a budget covering at least the next year.  We will let you know what Fran needs to get her through this period.

Fran gets 2 months off school, and I am trying to find an opportunity for her to spend the month of January learning English.  This week I will be checking if she can attend the English class at the Oaxaca Library 4 days per week, which would be the most reasonable (financially) alternative.  I have my fingers crossed that Jay, the teacher, will not be on vacation.  Fran still does not speak a word of English because she has been putting all her energy into her other classes. 

She is still enjoying her new glasses, and realizing how much she wasn't seeing without them!  Sometimes a little thing can change your life!

If you are new to the blog and would like to contribute to Fran's education, I have periodically posted information about the Oregon Credit Union where she has her education account.  Or you can contact me by leaving a message on the blog.

Until next time....