Sailfest 2013
In February, 38 sailboats cruised into beautiful Zihuatanejo bay to celebrate the Eleventh Annual Zihua Sailfest. They were enthusiastically welcomed by the local community, and the national news media, who have come to admire and respect the cruiser's heart-felt volunteerism. The State Secretary of Education announced that the Zihua Sailfest is the most successful educational fund raiser in the State of Guerrero. The Municipal Director of Education estimated that more than 2,000 disadvantaged children are attending school because of the cruiser's dedication to Zihua's bright-eyed young scholars.
In February, 38 sailboats cruised into beautiful Zihuatanejo bay to celebrate the Eleventh Annual Zihua Sailfest. They were enthusiastically welcomed by the local community, and the national news media, who have come to admire and respect the cruiser's heart-felt volunteerism. The State Secretary of Education announced that the Zihua Sailfest is the most successful educational fund raiser in the State of Guerrero. The Municipal Director of Education estimated that more than 2,000 disadvantaged children are attending school because of the cruiser's dedication to Zihua's bright-eyed young scholars.
Uncharacteristically overcast skies and occasional rain showers did not dampen the spirits of the cruisers and their local volunteer allies; all events were eagerly attended. More than 200 local businesses donated thousands of dollars in gifts and services for Sailfest auctions and raffles. 30 local and international musicians donated their talents to perform at three sold-out benefit concerts. Several fine-dining restaurants competed in the Chili Cook-off. The cruisers welcomed 113 paying guests on board for the Sail parade. Saturday, the cruisers hosted 100+ school children at a beach party where fun, games and giggles ruled the day. All in all, quite a wonderful week to in in Zihuatanejo.
Sailfest Photos
Zihua Sailfest 2012 raised $459,556 pesos, including generous grants from the Bellack Foundation and cruiser Pete Boyce, in support of the cruisers' vision of providing an educational opportunity to each and every child in Zihuatanejo, regardless of income level or social status. The funds will be administered and distributed by Por Los Ninos de Zihuatanejo, AC; Sailfest's Mexican charity. An advisory committee composed of bilingual Mexican educators, local international residents and cruisers is responsible for all funding decisions.
The funds from Zihua Sailfest 2011 provided the construction materials to build three, three-room, rural schools. The dedicated parents and the local community donated their labor to build these safe and welcoming learning environments for their deserving children. Sailfest 2011 awarded 16 English language scholarships, 5 high school scholarships and 6 university scholarships to high-achieving, low-income students. The City of Zihuatanejo, Rotary International and Los Ninos, Inc., inspired by the cruisers' success, also donated generously to Sailfest-supported projects.
Success Story
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Who we Are
Por Los Niños de Zihuatanejo, AC, is a Mexican non-profit corporation for the administration and distribution of the funds raised by Zihua SailFest activities. Por Los Niños also solicits additional, independent donations that are used exclusively for SailFest-related educational projects.
Por Los Niños operates both independently and in partnership with the City of Zihuatanejo, Rotary International, Los Niños Inc, Niños Adelante and other non-profit organizations to provide enhanced educational opportunities for the disadvantaged children of Zihuatanejo.
Videos of Por Los Ninos
See videos of the schools we have helped and children that are succeeding due to our assistance.
Advisory Committee
All funding decisions are made by a ten-member advisory committee composed of year-round International and bilingual Mexican community residents. The majority of our members are education professionals. Our meetings are open to the public.
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