David has always been an avid runner and loves challenges. His last challenge was to run 1,791 kilometers (1,113 miles), the distance from his city of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon to our office in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas to raise money for REACH students.

In October, David, his wife and daughter came to visit us in Chiapas and meet the students he raised scholarships for. He ran the last 7.4 miles with them. Meeting some of the students he raised scholarships for, he learned that some walk 6 kilometers each way to get to school! These students taught him and his family what self-motivation and dedication really mean.

Thanks to his dedication and the Mexican partners who matched his funds, he raised a total of $4,380, more than double his goal!

– David – #RunningforREACH

Putting their construction skills to the test, the BMC (Building Materials and Construction) team built a classroom and remodeled two classrooms in Zequentic, Zinacantan. Following a week of teamwork and experience in a new country, BMC’s team left with a new perspective on construction and the impact it can have on a community.

– BMC

Through their hard work and leadership, students from Lone Peak High School in Utah have raised over $70,000 USD to build schools in Chiapas. Â The first one they they built was in Chojolho, Chenalho and another in Los Pozos, Huixtan. Through their trips to Chiapas, they were able to create unforgettable bonds with students of their age in southern Mexico and discover a different way of living.

– Lone Peak High

When I was in high school, Escalera came to my school and said that they were taking a group of students to Chiapas, Mexico to build a classroom for kids who had to walk a couple of hours to get to school…

We built a classroom in Chojolho. I learned a lot and enjoyed myself so much that when Escalera came again to my high school the following year and said they were taking another expedition, I could not resist… Over the two expeditions I took, I grew a love for the people of Chiapas. I was fascinated to see how they worked and their lifestyle… I knew I needed to go back and be a helping hand wherever I could. I reached out to Molly who I knew from the past expeditions. She said that they could use a hand, so I flew to Chiapas and have enjoyed every second of being here. The work Escalera does is amazing and goes a long way to providing a better education for children in Chiapas.

– Jake

The official “Minimum Subsistence Level” in Chiapas is set by the Mexican Government at the equivalent of $38 per month. Among the Mayan population, 70% fall below this minimum.

Children routinely are called upon to assist the economic well being of the family at 8 years of age. Now, that is not necessarily a bad thing (I started a chicken raising and egg selling business when I was 8 years old) but when the school is several hours walk it is difficult to keep up studies and work. Studies often receive the short end. Fortunately, with the help and encouragement of Escalera, many parents are breaking their children out of the cycle of poverty. This coming year, we all hope, the first student of an Escalera assisted school will be enrolled at a university…The project took a week, which left me several days to explore the beauty of San Cristobal. San Cristobal was founded in 1528 and, after a delightful dinner with an equally delightful friend, stumbled upon a concert celebrating the 489th anniversary of the city’s founding. The fare of entertainment ranged from traditional Mexican music to the New York 1940’s swing band sounds.
….
I hated to leave but promised myself to return soon.
– Tom

We had an amazing journey and experience serving alongside those at the Escalera Foundation and those wonderful people of the Pajalton Bajo community. Being able to have a small part in such a wonderful thing will remain with me and those that traveled with us forever. Our journey started with a task of building a classroom. It was neat to be able to work beside those from the community and to see their passion for education. During our expedition we took time to bond with the people and had amazing experiences with the children, the older youth, and even some of the adults. I can’t wait for another opportunity like this one. It has changed all of us for the better. The folks at Escalera were also well prepared, organized, and passionate about what the

– Jeremy Franco

Volunteering for Escalera has been a boon for me, giving me the opportunity to use my talents to make communication at Escalera more effective and at the same time pulling me away from the stresses of my own life in a productive way. With several college degrees under my belt, I am an education junkie and relish learning. I want to share that joy with as many people as possible. Escalera can make significant improvements in the lives of people who appreciate the improvements and put them to good use–and I love being a part of it!

– Anne-Marie Waddell