Projects
Were it not for the generosity of so many of our donors, volunteers and supporters, we would have never been able to accomplish this recent Projects! Thank youfor supporting our efforts to create a facility and programming that nurtures and educates the Akumal children!
RENOVATIONS PROJECT
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We were incredibly busy in 2021 and 2022 with fundraising for desperately needed repairs and renovations. Many parts of our buildings and grounds have not had maintenance for 30+ years and it was becoming dangerous for the children.
Thanks to the generosity of some key donors, we have been able to plow through with some of the very necessary renovations and repairs. We now have repaired walls and roofs, shiny new bathrooms, 2 storage rooms, created a new concrete sports area for basketball, soccer, volleyball (even pickleball!), a new gate and new perimeter fence, new playground equipment, as well as happy painted murals on most of the buildings.
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We're so very grateful to all of you that were instrumental in making this happen!
But we'd like to give a special shout-out to The Gwen Josh Foundation, Loco Gringo, Akumal Direct Reservations and Shotsie Forsythe.
We're now replacing decades-old electrical wiring and poles so we find ourselves in need of funding for these projects. No donation is too small!
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On deck for 2024: convert an unused classroom into storage and an apartment so that we can hire an additional part-time teacher who will also serve as a caretaker by living on the property.
KID'S ART PROJECT AT AKUMAL ARTS FESTIVAL
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​Key to the success of the Akumal Arts Festival held annually in Akumal pueblo is the involvement of every school age child in the town. Each year the festival team includes Kaori and her teachers to create a pilot art project for Hekab Be students. It is then offered in different Akumal schools and classes. The artwork is installed as the festival is kicking off, often staying in place for years.
The Akumal Arts Festival took a break in 2023, but we're expecting to resume in April 2024.
KID'S HOLIDAY ORNAMENT SALES PROJECT
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​What began as an art project led at the Wednesday Art classes conducted by volunteer Eileen, has blossomed into a revenue-generating project with plenty of teachable moments for the children and a dose of holiday magic for expats and all involved!
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The children make a variety of Christmas cards and decorations during art class. They then set up little tiendas at Hekab Be and sell them on a designated day in late November.
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Tulum Country Club/Bahia Principe has embraced the project and allowed our volunteers to sell during their Saturday Mercadito. This year the children will be on site with the volunteers to interact with the owners within TCC and to sell their creations. This project provides them the opportunity to work on their creativity, interpersonal skills, planning, teamwork, math skills and more! And it's precious to watch! :-)