March 24 Updates:
Here are the latest current needs at Estancia Nueva Vida Girl’s Program for 18 poor girls in south Merida. The girls range in age from ages 6 – 12.
Estancia Nueva Vida
An Erie, PA – Yucatan Friendship Program
List of activities and possible improvements.
| Activity | Reason for activity |
| Renew computers | Currently the girls are not taking computer classes due to lack of equipment and teachers. We have 5 computers and only 3 work correctly |
| Clothes and shoes for girls | When it’s the girls’ birthday or Children’s Day, we give them a set of new or half-used clothes (in good condition). We currently do not have these materials in stock. |
| Body hygiene materials | The girls use all the personal hygiene items when they are in the stay (toothbrush, shampoo , soap, feminine towels, perfume, hair dryer, etc. ) These materials are provided by the Stay and we require constant renewal |
| Appropriate furniture in the living rooms | The girls take advice every day or classes in: crafts, English, baking, among others. The tables and chairs that we currently have are sometimes already damaged or are not made of appropriate materials for their age. |
| Repair of a good size refrigerator | In the Mercedes Barrera neighborhood it is common for the electricity to go out. In one of those events, the good-sized refrigerator we had had a part break down that we quoted to repair and it was costing us $5,000. So we opted to have a new small one.
However, when preparing lunches and snacks every day, space is reduced. |
| School supplies | Materials such as: hardcover and picture notebooks, foam , silicone, glue stick, folders, curry tape, concealer, paint eraser , etc.
They would be of great help to the girls. |
| Renovation of children’s play area (park) | Since the games we have are very old, we must spend time in maintenance and the lighting is not the most appropriate. We would like to be able to have an outdoor area with games and lighting appropriate to the girls’ age. |
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Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry
Read-on MacDuff . . .
Surviving Yucatan 
Please advise readers of the girls’ ages and what their education level might be in order to further assist in giving the appropriate items. Thanks.
They range in age from ages 6 – 12.