Nov 29, fishermen newsletter on UNA BOCANA LIMPIA Project

Ladies and Gentlemen:


A year ago, I started a project called

http://sites.google.com/site/cleaningupbaja/

Why? Clean up trash, abandoned fridges, stoves and outhouses. I started on my own street and headed south, talking to neighbors along the way. Most were mortified to see the “gringa” cleaning their yards and quickly rushed out to clean alongside me.



Here we are one year later –the website clearly shows all the local involvement: elementary school kids cleaning up arroyos; highschool beachcleaning; church groups, even the delegado finally got some moola and had schools painted. They also arranged two major cleanups lasting 40 days. Many donated plants to beautify the public buildings. With my own pocket money, I paid 2 families to clean the road between Punta Abreojos and La Bocana. I also sponsored parties for all the elementary students who participated in cleanups. And I gave the high school seniors $100 dollars towards their graduation.



Many friends have donated recyclable shopping bags (and the coop is having some made too), fishing caps with our logo on them, Costco trash bags … and much much more. My husband is at the top of the donor list.



Not knowing how to get to the next level of recycling: to create a garbage landfill, American friends suggested garage sales. Well, we started them 2 weeks ago and the success has been stupendous!! I pay locals 100 pesos to hold them, we have around 3 a week at different locations and we now have some cash to pay the garbage guys to pick up the heavy loads as well as cash for fuel. The public library had a bathroom put up in record time, funded by the coop, the architect, and us. The coop will also sponsor a computer expert to maintain all their computers. (9 not working out of 10). The same architect made detailed plans for a cafeteria/stage for the elementary school and we have 2 garage sales a week for this purpose.



Want to help make the world a better place?



I need donations of

Clothes: esp. HOODED SWEATSHIRTS

Jewelery

Fishing hats

Towels

Sunscreen

Bedspreads/sheets/kitchen towels

Telephones/faxes/COMPUTERS

Televisions



We also need money to fund three parts of the landfill:

1. A chain link fence around site;

2. Purchase of a backhoe;

3. Plastic liner for the landfill.



And most importantly: please donate any quality used/new fishing gear for the once a month fishing garage sale that was the biggest hit I have ever seen !



You can drop donations at the coop offices in Ensenada under PANCHO's name at:

Sociedad Cooperativa Progreso, 234 Abasolo,

Colonia Independencia, Ensenada, B.C.



Please send me a quick email to let me know you did it or Pancho might think Santa loves him A LOT.



If you are experienced in landfills or recycling, please let me know.



Thanks so much for any help,

Sincerely, Blanca Portella Heil

UNA BOCANA LIMPIA