What is Liga M.A.C.?
Liga M.A.C. is a registered Mexican charitable organization. We are made up of Mexican, American and Canadian members. We organize fundraising events in order to assist members of the San Jose del Cabo community. “Mano con mano” is a helping hand offered to a hand in need.
VISION, MISSION & GOALS
Our Vision:
Our vision is that none of the families or individuals of San Jose del Cabo be deprived of food, education or medical treatment due to financial constraints.
Our Mission:
The mission of Liga M.A.C is to offer “a helping hand” to the low income families and elderly of San Jose del Cabo to ensure that they are well-nourished and have access to medical care and to provide children and adults with the opportunity to continue their education.
Our Goals:
- To raise sufficient funds to meet the changing needs of the community and carry out our mission and succeed in our vision.
- To make service programs accessible to the families and individuals of our community by offering them at our Centro de Apoyo, Liga M.A.C. and by providing Spanish speaking facilitators for these programs.
- To continue to work with health care and social work professionals from the Mexican community to help refine the referral process and our effectiveness in identifying those in need of our services.
- To continually raise the profile of Liga M.A.C. in order to increase our donor, volunteer and service recipient base.
PROGRAMS
The service arm of Liga M.A.C. has 3 main areas of interest: education, emergency medical help and providing basic needs. The programs dealing with these concerns are:
Adelante Con la Educacion (or ACE): This program was started to create an opportunity for students of low income families to continue their education into junior and senior high school. Although a public education system is provided in Mexico, because of the cost of required daily uniforms, gym uniforms, shoes, school supplies and tuition, most low-income students never receive a high school education. This diploma is paramount in getting a decent job. Working with the local social workers, Liga MAC qualifies students in good standing that are in danger of dropping out of school. Liga MAC not only provides the required materials for each student but has also developed motivational programs which help students stay focused. At present Liga MAC supports approximately 300 students.
Social Services Program: Although general medical assistance is available it is not universal and the level of assistance to low-income families is commensurate with their ability to pay. Liga M.A.C. pays for tests, medicines and medical attention for those patients referred by concerned social workers, doctors or other qualified and concerned medical professionals. In addition we work with other charitable organizations both locally and internationally to provide expensive diagnostic and surgical procedures.
Community Services Program: With the advent of the Centro de Apoyo Liga M.A.C., those in need now have an easily accessible location where they can acquire aid, information and programs. Twice a month on “Despensa” day needy families can apply for food vouchers, clothing and household items. Information about job opportunities and government assistance programs is also available. Community Services has also begun “personal development” programs at the centre. Our first “Alas” (or wings) program taught young girls between the ages of 12 and 14 about personal hygiene, educational opportunities and self-confidence and was a huge success. There are plans to continue the Alas program and to develop other new programs including nutrition and job skill programs. In addition, Liga M.A.C. member Rocio Rosales is currently teaching literacy classes every Thursday afternoon. Earlier this year guest speaker Ricardo Zamora, a business man and economics lecturer at the Pan-American University in Mexico City, gave a motivational talk to a group of our ACE students at the centre.
For more information on individual centre programs please go to the Events/News tab.
ANGELITO – LITTLE ANGEL
Each year Liga M.A.C. receives assistance from other organizations to cover the cost of surgeries that might not otherwise be attempted. This is the story of one of those cases.
Angel Delfino Cuevas Castro, Angelito to everyone, has spina bifida and hydrocephalus. At 6 months old he was outfitted with a shunt to relieve the fluid buildup on his brain. At 5 Liga M.A.C. provided him with his first wheelchair and he was introduced into Liga M.A.C.’s family care. At 6 he was able to attend school with the assistance of his mother, Angela. And for the past 3 years he has lived a relatively happy existence in the family home in the Zacatal neighbourhood of San Jose del Cabo.
His parents, Angela and Jesus are extremely poor. Jesus works when he can as an “ayudante” or block layer’s helper and brings home about $100 U.S. per week. Angela cannot work because she must look after Angelito and because she is illiterate. They have 2 other children, Jesus and Victor and live in a “carton” shack on land owned by a relative. But, in spite of all their shortcomings, they are devoted to Angelito. He is the glue that binds this family.
In April 2006 with the help of Liga M.A.C. and Los Amigos de Los Ninos, Angelito was taken to see a neurologist. The news that Angela and Jesus had been dreading was finally delivered. Angelito would need to have his shunt replaced. The operation would take place at Amerimed Hospital in Cabo San Lucas and the major costs would be born by ADLN. Because Angelito’s shunt had not been replaced as he grew, there were complications. In all he received 5 surgeries in the course of 6 months. Each time a complication arose after surgery, the family would ride an emotional roller coaster. When complications arose after the 4th surgery, the doctors knew they had only one option left – to drain the shunt through the heart cavity rather than the abdomen as had previously been done. It has now been several months since his 5th surgery and Angelito is on the mend. His family is relieved and thankful but still nervous.
Amigos de Los Ninos bore the cost of 4 surgeries but had reached the per patient limit with Angelito. In spite of the cost overrun, Liga M.A.C. and ADLN went on to share the costs of surgery #5. Through all the surgeries, Dr. Rocha, Dr. Rodriguez and Amerimed Hospital provided exemplary care and generously discounted services.
Liga M.A.C. continues to be involved with the Cuevas Castro family. Angelito receives monthly nutritional supplements; both Angelito and his brother Jesus are registered in Liga M.A.C.’s ACE program; and Angela attends literacy classes at the Centro de Apoyo, Liga M.A.C.
You can make your U.S. tax-deductible contribution the following ways:
Donating to Liga Mac
Send a check You can send a check made out to the “International Community Foundation”. Include LIGA MAC Fund in the memo line, or include a note with any additional information to
International Community Foundation
11300 Sorrento Valley Road, #115
San Diego, CA 92121
Donating to Liga MAC Directly
If you do not need a U.S. Tax receipt you can make a donation in the following ways:
Mailing a check can mail a check to us from the U.S. or Canada. Please make your check out to “Liga M.A.C. A.C.” Include a note with donor name and address or email address so we may contact you with verification of receipt.
Liga M.A.C.
511 E. San Ysidro Blvd. Box J-444
San Ysidro, CA 92173 U.S.A.
Donating in San Jose del Cabo Your donation can be made directly. Deliver your donation to
Mailboxes Etc.
Plaza Portales Carreteria Transpeninsular Km 31,
San Jose del Cabo,
Write the above address on the envelope. Or contact us at Centro de Apoyo Liga MAC, 624-120-1060.
F.A.Q.
Who are Liga M.A.C. members?
Liga M.A.C. members come from diverse professional, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We pool our wealth of abilities, knowledge and skills to operate the many facets of Liga M.A.C. Whether members are skilled in organizing fundraising events, selling used clothing, translation, teaching ESL, accounting, clerical or just plain hard work, all talents are utilized.
When do members meet?
The only requisite for membership is regular attendance at meetings and involvement in at least one regular Liga M.A.C. activity. Associate members may attend and help whenever they are able but do not have voting rights. Members meet two Wednesday afternoons per month from November through April.
How does Liga M.A.C. fund its work?
Money to operate the service arm of Liga M.A.C. is raised by direct donation, sales of various items and 2 annual fundraising “events”. Direct donations can be made to Liga M.A.C., A.C. or through International Community Foundation in San Diego. I.C.F. is able to offer U.S. individuals and corporations U.S. tax receipts. (Please go to the “Donate” tab at the top of the page.) During our active season (November – April) members operate a used book store each Saturday morning and a monthly garage sale at the Centro de Apoyo Liga M.A.C. Each December, Liga M.A.C. members organize the Christmas Wishes Silent Auction event. Items donated from the local community are auctioned while ticket holders enjoy refreshments and entertainment. Our newest and most exciting fundraising event is the Liga M.A.C. Jazzfest. Ticket holders at that event enjoy an afternoon of food, refreshments and jazz performed by international musicians.
How do I join Liga M.A.C.?
For information on becoming a member please email ligamac@prodigy.net.mx.
Liga M.A.C. Executive:
Cynthia Wickerink, President: libertad314@hotmail.com
Pat Hill, Vice President: pahill@hotmail.com
Jene Buckner, Secretary: jenebuck@aol.com
Rocio Rosales, Treasurer: rocio.ligamac@gmail.com
Susan Viney, Past President: casasuziq@peoplepc.com
Tally Chilvers, Director: tallyjoy@hotmail.com
Sue Van, Director: jockovs@hotmail.com
Our Mailing Address
Liga M.A.C.
Apartado Postal # 307
San Jose del Cabo, B.C. S.
23400, Mexico