strengthening the connection: humans and animals in mexico
DESCRIPTION
These slides were from an online presentation from Hope Animal Network and PEACE Mexico. It's an inspirational story of “compassion in action”. Molly will be presenting her compelling views on the keys to success in fighting—and defeating—rampant poverty and animal overpopulation in Mexico. Hear Molly’s personal story in how she grew an innate love for people and animals into a successful community action partner with over 70 employees working in 8 towns across Mexico. Learn the dynamics of PEACE’s integrated approach which successfully links personal development, community building and animal welfare to great effect. Catch a glimpse of a “day in the life” of PEACE Mexico, and discover first-hand what the future holds in terms of the greatest challenges—and opportunities—for advancing the welfare of people and animals in this struggling country.TRANSCRIPT
1 © 2009
Thank you for joining us! While you’re waiting…
Audio: routed through your PC speakers OR call 218-936-7999 ID 420778
Please mute your phone when not speaking
Event will be recorded and posted on the Hope Animal Network
Questions? Ask anytime using the event console. Q&A session at the end of the hour.
2 © 2009
Molly FisherFounder & Executive Director
PEACE Mexico
Paulina Stettner Veterinarian Assistant
PEACE Mexico
Shawn SantosHope Animal Network
How would you describe your experience with animal welfare in Mexico?
1.Organization owner or manager2.Organization staff3.Veteran supporter4.Frequent supporter5.New supporter6.Getting my feet wet!7.Just looking, thanks!
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Background Background & Outlook& Outlook
Shawn Santos Hope Animal Network
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Georgian Bay Animal Rescue
Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue
Baja Dogs La Paz
GEPDA(Group Education to Protect and Defend Animals)
Beachdoginmexico.com
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Spay & Neuter Humane Euthanasia Oral sterilization Animal Rescue Veterinary Care Change Policy Education
What social media sites do you currently use? (select all that apply)
1.Facebook2.MySpace3.Twitter4.LinkedIn5.YouTube or Flickr6.Social bookmarking or news (like Delicious or Digg)7.Hope Animal Network8.Other niche online communities9. I plan to get more involved10. Give me a break. Not for me!
Molly FisherFounder & Executive Director
PEACE Mexico
Paulina Stettner Veterinarian Assistant
PEACE Mexico
What is PEACE?
Mission: PEACE works hand in hand with communities in Mexico to provide holistic education combined with community action programs that enable people to improve their quality of life as well as their financial stability.
Art & Philanthropy
A Brief History…Molly Fisher
Founder & Executive Director
PEACE Mexico
A one year trip to Mexico quickly became much more…
We had to learn fast to respond to the needs.
Jordi. What a life. She is the only dog I know that has been the
impetus for over 10,000 animals being spayed and neutered.
We learned the hard way. But we did learn.
Dr. Susan Monger, Rural Area Veterinary Services (Human Society of the United States) www.ruralareavet.org
And many other wonderful and dedicated volunteers!
MUCHAS GRACIAS!!!
The big move….
A job at the American School of Puerto Vallarta took Lalo and I from Isla Mujeres to the Pacific Coast of Mexico- the Bay of Banderas.
“There are many factors involved in the well being of a community, and if one of them is off, the entire
community can be off.”
So, how did PEACE start? PEACE was designed as a way to combine many areas that I am passionate about under one organization. I saw so many needs and opportunities in Mexico. It seemed unrealistic to be a part of so many organizations. So I designed
an organization that covers many areas. A true community approach.
What Makes Different?
• Integrated Approach
• Respond to Communities Needs
VISION… What’s in a name? Everything. The vision and driving force of PEACE is encapsulated within its name and the words that each letter represents.
.
We strive to PROTECT the animals, culture and environment of Mexico through our various community programs. With our surrounding area changing rapidly, we need to protect what is here, both culturally and environmentally.
The foundation of all of our programs is EDUCATION. We aim to provide hands-on learning that results in empowerment, increased ownership and responsibility and lessons that are applicable to the situations in which local communities find themselves. Through Casa Comunidad we offer various avenues of education including English classes in the local schools, extra-curricular activities, continuing education for adults, individualized attention for students with special needs and an alternative classroom for troubled youth. It is through education that doors are opened, awareness is nurtured and positive transformation can occur.
We believe that one of our greatest responsibilities as beings on this earth is to protect the natural resources that surround us. Among those resources are the ANIMALS that live amongst us. Ayuda a los Animales aims to decrease the number of unwanted animals in Mexico, and at the same time educate communities about the humane treatment of their pets and other local animals.
We believe that one of Mexico’s biggest riches is its CULTURE, deeply rooted in tradition. In the face of rapid modernization and development, we believe it is of utmost importance to preserve and celebrate the richness and beauty of Mexican culture. We foster this belief through programs such as folkloric dance classes in the after school programs and workshops that transform local women into artisans as they learn to make handicrafts by blending traditional and innovative techniques. We also aim to build a bridge between the cultures of locals and foreigners in order to nurture understanding, tolerance and appreciation.
Along with its vibrant culture, Mexico is also blessed with an abundance of natural riches. We believe that in order to preserve those resources, each person needs to take responsibility for protecting the ENVIRONMENT. Through the unifying efforts of trash clean-ups, environmental education in the schools, recycling and composting efforts in homes, the creation of parks made from recycled materials, we know that individually and together, we can create harmonious and healthy communities with strong community pride. All of these facets are unified holistically to form PEACE, which is the ultimate vision we have for Mexico. We envision a peaceful co-existence between human beings and natural treasures, between foreigners and locals, between those who can give and those who need assistance, between progress and preservation.
Art and Philanth-
ropy
INTERGRATED APPROACH
During English classes, students work on community projects.
The women of the Manos Unidas cooperative send their children to the after school program while they have their workshops.
The mobile clinic spreads the news about our other programs when they work in new towns.
INTERGRATED APPROACH
The beautification team gives classes in the local schools about recycling.
The kiosk at the airport sells Manos Unidas products and invites the tourists to come back and volunteer.
Our holistic approach nurtures progress in the various aspects of a community’s well-being.
Day in the Life of
104 students learn about the importance of separating trash and recycling during their environmental education class.
50 adults are one day closer to receiving their primary or secondary degree through the INEA program.
30 students receive special education services and 12 students have sessions with the PEACE psychologist.
10 women concentrate on making picture frames using recycled bottle caps and paper while their children are tended to in the nearest after school program.
A class of 12 students goes on a hike to learn more about local plants and their medicinal uses.
32 animals are spayed or neutered and their owners receive explicit instructions on how to tend to their animals.
People from the town where the mobile animal clinic is set up come to learn more about the clinics and other PEACE programs.
A group of tourists come to the main PEACE office to drop off donations that they brought from their hometown.
PEACE team members gather around a table during a candid meeting, sharing ideas and goals.
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
Free sterilization year round, different location every week
Challenges•Preventing unwanted births and spreading of diseases (TVT, etc…)•Promoting responsible ownershipOpportunities•Influencing community into a healthier lifestyle through their animals•Improving the lives of many in one single day of work
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
A Day at the Spay and Neuter Clinic
Reception/registration of patientsHealth exams + preparationSurgeryRecoveryDeworming + flea/tick treatment
Lots of rewarding fun for animal lovers!!!
Interested in [email protected]
Biggest Opportunities
Expansion, new towns, sustainability…
Did you Know???• 10,000 volunteer hours
• Over $60,000 in in-kind donations
• Fundraisers in 3 countries!
• Daily requests for expansion or implementation of programs
Help us help others!!! Write us today for more information on how you can be a part of the PEACE team!!!
General information: [email protected] information: [email protected] information: [email protected]
Biggest Challenges
Expansion, funding, sustainability…
Molly FisherFounder & Executive Director
PEACE Mexico
Paulina Stettner Veterinarian Assistant
PEACE MexicoShawn SantosHope Animal Network
>> To ask a question, please use the Q&A console on your event console. If we can’t get to your question, we’ll respond to you via email.
http://www.peacemexico.org/ http://www.peacemexico.org/
Molly FisherFounder & Executive Director
PEACE Mexico
Paulina Stettner Veterinarian Assistant
PEACE Mexico
Shawn SantosHope Animal Network
http://www.peacemexico.org/ http://www.peacemexico.org/