Non-profit Learning & Activity Center for Children in Akumal, Mexico
#GivingTuesday is a global day of generosity that takes place on December 2nd, 2025. It's an opportunity for people around the world to come together to thank, help, give, show kindness, and share what they have with those in need.
We ask that you DONATE TODAY to make a difference in the lives of Akumal children
Four years ago, we decided to focus our fundraising efforts around the #GivingTuesday theme, in order to maximize awareness for Hekab Be around this international initiative. Your response was overwhelming, and your donations allowed us to enter each subsequent year with close to half of our annual operating expenses covered. It has allowed us to be more strategic with our time and efforts, and we didn't have to constantly ask for donations as has been the case in the prior years. Thank you!
Due to the significant upgrades to staff this year, our Operating expenses have doubled. So, we know that trying to raise funds to cover half of our operating expenses in this campaign is probably too big of an ask. But we are hopeful that we can enter 2026 with 25% of our Operations Expenses covered by our fundraising efforts on #GivingTuesday. Our Operating expenses cover teachers' salaries, utilities, never-ending building maintenance, and classroom supplies. If we can walk into 2026 without this full expense looming over our heads, then we have the freedom to stay focused on the kiddos.
Donations are likely tax-deductible for US taxpayers.
Hekab Be Biblioteca 501(c)3
Tax ID #26-2750810
Please contact us for a tax receipt.
Donations can be made via:
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Credit Card payment: Click HERE to donate using your credit card. Consider setting up a monthly recurring donation.
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PayPal: Click HERE and please choose the "friends and family" option to avoid fees. Also, consider setting up a monthly recurring donation to Hekab Be. PayPal gives you that option!
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Zelle: Donate straight from most U.S. bank accounts using the Zelle feature.
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IRA RMD: Have you taken your required minimum distribution from your IRA this year? If not, did you know that you can donate this required distribution to Hekab Be and not pay taxes on that distribution? We'd love to be your qualified charitable distribution recipient. Talk to your tax professional.
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Facebook Fundraiser: Encourage all of your friends and family to donate to Hekab Be on your behalf. Find Hekab Be Biblioteca under "Fundraisers" and FaceBook will guide you through the steps.
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Check: Checks in USD can be mailed payable to: Hekab Be Biblioteca
Hekab Be Biblioteca, Inc.
18 Saratoga Street
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Encourage your friends to support us too! Share a link to this page on your social media.
A few things we’ve accomplished in 2025:
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Despite the loss of our staff in May, we have rebounded and now have an expanded, experienced group of teachers led by a new Director with extensive experience. Our 3 classrooms and office are all fully functional and the debris has been removed from the premises. The missing supplies have all been restocked, and we welcomed a record number of children for summer school, with a larger number also now attending our after-school program.
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Our new teachers have expanded the teaching curriculum and we are now educating hcildren from ages 3 to 18. We are even experimenting with holding sessions for parents as well.
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We are still continuing the process of filing for Mexican non-profit status. Due to the nature of our structure, it's a lengthy process. Once completed, this will allow us to solicit for donations from Mexican companies. Then the new Hekab Be Mexican Board, in conjunction with the Hekab Be staff, will manage programming and oversight of Hekab Be. At that point, the US 501(c)3 will only serve as the fundraising and marketing arm.
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Our German School scholarships for 3 of our children have been renewed as all 3 children exceeded the minimum GPA and attendance requirements. This internationally known private school has now been open for three full school years in Akumal. Being able to secure these scholarships is life-changing for these children and their extended families! And we are thrilled that all three children have adapted and excelled in the program.
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If you haven't visited us in a few years - please come say "hi"! You won't recognize the place!
Our focus for 2026:
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Continue to impact more children and parents via our expanded teaching staff.
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Completion of the Mexican non-profit process and establishment of Mexican Board to assume oversight and day-to-day operations of Hekab Be.
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Launching our multi-year Building fundraiser. We're going to need to raze our buildings in a few years. Decades of wear and tear have taken its toll. It will be time to build new facilities, designed for the future, instead of a building that will be almost 50 years old.
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The return of the Akumal Arts Festival - date TBD
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The opening of the Akumal Art & Water Community Park in Akumal pueblo for children to have a safe, water-centric play area. The children in the pueblo have very little access to our beautiful beaches. ☹️ We have had the transformer for a year now but CFE has been focused on the Maya Tren. We are pushing to get this completed and are hopeful it will happen by the Spring.