Destination:PEACE

Introducing some new Volunteer Vacations!

2011-05-19T06:51:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile, I know. We took a little space to reconnect, re-energize and rejuvenate. We are back at it with many wonderful things happening!

We have several vacations coming up for the remainder of 2011 and are working on the 2012 calendar as well. We'll be showcasing all these vacations but I just wanted to get this particular one out today to share with you!

Our December 2011 Volunteer Vacation will be in Punta de Mita again and we are so excited to share it with Hillary Hillard with Denver Integrative Massage School!

The website is up to date, please check it out here!

We'll have more for you soon, keep your eyes peeled!

2010-06-08T10:26:00.000-07:00

We've got some really fun vacations planned!

1. Destination:PEACE is partnering with more non-profits around Mexico. We just created a new vacation, the dates are set for February 19 – 26th and we’re heading to San Miguel de Allende (the heart of Mexico.) We are going to be doing our volunteer work with an organization called Casita Linda and Guests will be staying at the amazing Sagrada Wellness. We will be doing lots of yoga, meditation, eating delicious, healthy food, hiking, giving back and reconnecting with the mind and body

2. We will be venturing to Isla Mujeres in August! Luckily, there is a great organization, that is actually the Sister to PEACE Mexico called PEACE Isla: We will be enjoying all the Isla has to offer and more. Our focus will be on doing lots of yoga and giving back to the local community.

3. We’ve got another great vacation planned for December. We will be learning and practicing Thai Yoga Massage (where you can earn 10 CE’s), giving back and reconnecting with our souls all in beautiful Punta Mita.

4. Our newly launched “Pick your own Dates” program: It’s simple, you can pick your own 5 or 7 nights and we’ll make the volunteer vacation happen for you. You can read more about it here.

5. We are going to be including Ayurveda in some of our future Vacations, more details to come!

And lastly on a personal note, I am running the Chicago Marathon in October. I have decided to blog it and keep track of my training months. I don’t really have a schedule of what I’ll include, I suppose it will just come to me. Please, check out my blog and follow me. I promise to make it fun! (I call it Kat and Flirt b/c Flirt is my dog who is my bff and running partner sometimes (only on the short runs unless he’s in the back pack of whoever is riding their bike while I’m running.) Thus, the name. AND I am running in the name of PEACE Mexico.

Happy health!!!

2010-04-28T10:06:00.001-07:00

I wanted to share some of the experiences over the past few months through a photo essay I created. It has been an amazing journey being able to see first hand all the projects PEACE is continuing to accomplish. It never ceases to amaze me the new ideas that arise and the coolest things is that you can help with your own two hands and join the "be the change" movement. The first picture is all about letting go. The second picture is of Elliott during our River Clean up volunteer day, no mas basura por favor. The third picture is Lucy, one of our Destination:PEACE Volunteers at a spay / neuter clinic. Talk about giving love and reassurance. The fourth picture is a group of adults and kiddos helping out at the recycled park day in Mita. It was very exciting when the concrete truck arrived. This tells a story of what happens when a community comes together. The fifth picture is of Adela, who is the little Sister of Juan and Junior (the 2 boys my Sister and husband are fostering.) She is pure heart. These pictures are intended to tell a little story of what Destination:PEACE is all about, Enjoy!

Our Volunteers

2010-04-16T10:18:00.000-07:00

Courage, Determination, Willingness to help the world - all of this comes to mind when I think about our first family that joined Destination:PEACE. Here is what Lucy, the Mom of two, Jacob (16) and Josie (19) and wife of David says:

"We enjoyed the ultimate family vacation through Destination:PEACE. From painting a mural at the school with the kindergartners, to helping at the mobile spay and neuter clinic, to whale watching, there was something for everyone in the family to enjoy. We are so impressed with the loving, respectful relationship between the staff and the village. Our only regret is that we couldn't stay longer and help more."

Here is a collage that was created to portray their volunteer experience. What an amazing family with more smiles and warm hearts than most! Thank you for your helping hands!

We made it on Virtual Vallarta!

2010-03-05T14:20:00.000-08:00

Click here to read this great story on Destination:PEACE. We are so excited to be a part of VV!

We're on the Mexico Report

2010-03-05T14:18:00.001-08:00

We made it to the Mexico Report, click here!

The MEXICO Report is your source for all things Mexico and covers positive news and information related to Mexico, including travel, leisure, entertainment, arts, culture, people, places, community, food, living and such. TMR explores and reviews everything from eco-friendly hotels, organic spas, books , restaurants, hot travel spots, activities in Mexico and much more…

Destination:PEACE Video

2010-03-05T12:35:00.000-08:00

Life, Culture, Smiles, Inspiration, Gratitude and more!

Ayia and Destination:PEACE Come Together!

2010-02-23T07:16:00.000-08:00

We have partnered with Ayia, Punta Mita! This is so exciting! Click here to view the Press Release!

Get your Volunteer Vacation on!

2010-02-05T11:21:00.000-08:00

Destination:PEACE is showcased in 24/7 Travel Guide and Travel Tips! Click here!

2010-02-04T13:26:00.001-08:00

PEACE is in the air! Here is a list of all the things accomplished here at PEACE in just one week! WOW! (straight from Molly Fisher's mouth)

Thanks to all of you PEACE accomplished the following (and much more!) this
past week:
1. XX dogs and cats spayed and neutered

2. MANY children received much needed dental care

3. Over 10,000 pesos in sales of product

4. Over 10,000 pesos for animal clinics in PV

5. 20+ kids participated in an amazing chalk art event

6. 10,000 pesos for an animal clinic in Tondoroque

7. Women received important financial education

8. Progress on our annual report and other marketing initiatives

9. An incredible US Board meeting

10. Much needed info on how we move forward with our new tax deductible
status in Mexico

11. I could go on and on!!!!!!

THANKS to all of you who made this week so successful!

2010-02-04T12:30:00.001-08:00

Let's lace up our running shoes! This year let's make it big! I will be running the Chicago Marathon all in the name of PEACE! Want to run with me or help support? Please email me at katherine@peacemexico.org

A great travel blog to follow!

2010-02-02T11:59:00.000-08:00

Travel Guides and Travel Tips!

We love this site because it's so user friendly and has a wealth of information including many travel tips! Be sure to sign up for the 247 Travel blog!

Streets come alive with songs of chalk!

2010-01-25T15:59:00.000-08:00

The Bucerias street came alive for a few days with Artists, smiling people, kids, dogs, flip flops, food, drink, music and culture shining through!
This is just one of the many pictures created by the kiddos! Love love love

Gretchen's Weekly Story and the Animals

2009-12-14T11:26:00.000-08:00

We drove south to Manzanillo this week for a two-night stay.
Manzanillo isn't very pretty, but the drive down on highway 200 is beautiful. One winds around the jungled coastal road and then up into the foothills of the Sierra Madres, where scattered pine trees remind one that it is almost Christmas. About an hour north of Manzanillo, one looks down onto a gorgeous coastal plain, near the town of Cihuatlan. This very southern part of the State of Jalisco is filled with an enormous expanse of shiny-leafed banana trees nestling beneath tall coco palms. The miles and miles of these plantations are bordered by the shadowy Sierra Madre mountains to the east and the bright Pacific ocean to the west. The name "Cihuatlan" is derived from the indigenous words "Zihua," meaning "woman," and "tlan,"
meaning "place." When the Spanish arrived in the early 16th century, the village was described as an "island of women," as there were apparently 500 women and only 20 men living there. Not much fun for the women.

Saturday night - Valle de Banderas - Sensational concert in the central plaza of this municipality celebrating its 20 years. Following beautifully performed and costumed folkloric dances, the well-known singer from Oaxaca, Lila Downs, sang her updated versions of classical vernacular songs, as well as some of her own compositions, some of which are influenced by the native Mesoamerican music of Mixtec, Zapotec, Maya and Nahuatl cultures. Brilliant fireworks overhead next to the church. After all the celebrating, the plaza and town were left in immaculate condition.

Sunday, December 12th, was the last night of the "pilgrimages" of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I will miss Calle Juarez being closed to cars and buses. It was so pleasant having it as a pedestrian-only street.
The buses are particularly noisy and disruptive as they plunge one after another in rapid succession through town. The bus union is very powerful here. Interesting - unions are except from taxes.

MAGISTERIO CLINIC - December 9-12

This was our second visit this year to the very humble, inland colonia filled with dusty dogs and cats. Several were pregnant or nursing.
The clinic was held in an empty classroom in the primary school. At lunch and recesses, crowds of curious children clustered in front of kennels, windows and the front door. Some of them had pets there for surgery. Most of the owners of dogs and cats in Magisterio were happy to have their pets sterilized. There are still owners who want their pets to have "just one litter." We saw a beautiful Doberman whose polite and friendly owner said she was barely pregnant by a dog or dogs in the neighborhood. He plans to breed her with "one of her kind" after this first litter is born. There are others who don't think it's important to have male animals neutered. If they don't care about the females that are being impregnated, a photograph of a dog with VD might change their minds.

Sterilizations: female dogs-34; male dogs - 17; female cats - 16; male cats - 11 TOTAL= 78

NEW CLINIC VOLUNTEERS: Lynne Clock, former surgical nurse in Kansas City, will work buddy system with her friend, Pamela Evans; Laura Chavez on Saturdays while she's here; Pat Kelly, whom I met at the Pet Picnic; Stephanie Dubinsky and her friend Jess, visiting from Vancouver Island; Kayla Okafor and 6-9 volunteers bringing vet supplies from a pet hospital from Denver will be at the January 20th clinic in Magisterio.

Written in Facebook by Oscar Guadarrama, vet from Toluca.

"We successfully carried out our first volunteer training workshop for supporting sterilization clinics in Toluca. We're very grateful to PEACE in Nayarit. (www.peacemexico.org) Without their help and support this first effort would not have been possible."

Dr. Guadarrama had brought 6 other people to the clinic in Guayabitos, Nayarit, to learn more about how PEACE runs its clinics.

DONATIONS: Margo Landry - 2,000 pesos for Vallarta s/n clinics plus three large bags of used clothing that PEACE will distribute in needy neighborhoods.

Rita Kuntz - 200 pesos for sterilization of a neighbor's kitten at Magisterio clinic. Money will to go free clinics in Vallarta.

RESCUED: Small, fluffy white female 8-month-old French Poodle hit by a car and found on the street by Chelsea Peters - recovering beautifully - needs home. Contact: Marcela Escalante, who is fostering her: marcelaescalantem@hotmail.com or 044322 14 68 261

ADOPTED: Grey female French Poodle removed from the Acopio (pound) by Silvia Alvarez and adopted by a friend of Jhovanne.

Kitten rescued on the street by Teri Jo Wheeler. A grandmother of one of her students at the American School fell in love with it.

All four of Alma Cardena's four black labs living in Boca. I had e-mailed Kai Doyle, who has a home in El Tuito and knows Oscar Martinez from the Botanical Gardens. Oscar has a ranch in Tuito and took the two dogs home with him. The other two dogs have been adopted by Tejano, the caretaker at the Cardena sisters' property, Chee Chee's. Once it is sold, these dogs will also be living in El Tuito.

Three of Manuel Zapata's four rescued chihuahuas - accomplished via e-mails. One still needs a home. Contact: manuel040168@hotmail.com

NEED HOMES:

"Pantera," a one-year old spayed small black lab mix - 10 kilos.
Owner ill and can't keep her. Photo available. Contact:
marcelaescalantem@hotmail.com;

Four-month old female brown and white Pit Bull- vaccines all current.
Owner unable to keep, as she works long hours. Contact: pm@pvrpv.com photos available.

Always - animals at the Acopio - www.elrincondelhueso.blogspot.com-
new photos every Tuesday. Please consider adopting there before the pound closes for Christmas vacation.

NEEDS HELP: Paraiso Felino -Janina Erban's cat sanctuary in Nayarit, where she and her mother are currently caring for 100 cats. If you would like to donate, please write "Paraíso Felino AC" on the memo of the check and advise Janina re name, date and amount.
paraiso_felino@hotmail.com Checks can be sent to the PEACE address in Colorado.

UPCOMING CLINICS - WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you to the small corps of volunteers who have been working the clinics. You know who you are and you have been great. We would like to see some nationals and some men involved in these efforts to reduce the homeless pet situation. The more volunteers, the more surgeries performed.

12.16-12.19 - Wednesday-Saturday -Cañadas, Jalisco 12.23-1.2.10 - NO CLINICS 1.6.10-1.9.10 - Wednesday-Saturday - Turtle camp near airport
1.11.10- 1.15.10 - Monday-Friday- Paso Ancho 1.18.10-1.22.10 - Monday-Friday Magisterio 1.25.10-1.29.10 - Monday-Friday Acopio

TO ADVISE WHEN/WHERE FOR VOLUNTEERING AND FOR DIRECTIONS:

paulina@peacemexico.org or 044 322 102 3327 or - lalo@peacemexico.org

PEACE ROAD CLEAN-UP: Saturday, December 12th - Punta de Mita. A crew of volunteers were provided with bags, gloves and water for this clean-up project.

PEACE PICNIC 12/4: $16,130 pesos raised for clinics.

El Rancho y Mi Sueno Day

2009-12-14T11:09:00.000-08:00

Super relaxing, fun day at the Ranch! It was filled with relaxation, massage, yoga, dance, art, food, laughs, smiles, connections and most of all lots of love! Thanks to everyone for their support, what a fun day!

Testimonial from one of our Volunteers, Noell Vaughn!

2009-12-13T16:46:00.000-08:00

“It is impossible to accurately describe both the relaxation and the challenges that the PEACE retreat provided. Taking a challenging yoga class two times per day at a beautiful spa on the beach was relaxing, challenging and inspiring. The various PEACE activities provided an opportunity to visit towns, parks, restaurants in Mexico, while working with the residence, that I have never experienced in the over 15 previous trips to Mexico I have taken. Learning how the local PEACE woman’s groups make the items that they sell to help support their families, helping local children in a park clean-up, or painting compost containers for a new environmental initiative that PEACE is leading, were all very rewarding experiences.
The most emotionally challenging volunteer event for me personally was working in PEACE’s mobile spay & neuter clinic. Though the facility was beyond basic (three walls, a leaky roof, and a dirt floor), the medical team takes meticulous care of the animals, and has all of the necessary medical equipment to ensure the animals’ safety.
It was beyond fulfilling to be a small part of each of PEACE’s programs during the retreat. I got to see firsthand how this amazing organization touches ‘People, Environment, Animals, Culture, and Education.’
And though I came back to the same responsibilities and daily challenges at home after the retreat was over, this experience has changed me. It has helped me handle my own challenges with proper perspective, more patience, and gratitude.
Thank you to everyone who made this experience so special!” – Noell Emmer Vaughn, Chicago, IL

Our first Volunteers!

2009-12-13T16:33:00.000-08:00

What a great group of volunteers!

2010 Calendar for Destination: PEACE Vacations

2009-12-07T13:24:00.000-08:00

Check out the dates for both our Cultural and Adventure Vacations!

PEACE Party! Hearts are in the Air!

2009-12-05T14:10:00.000-08:00

Hands and Hearts - the parts that fuel destination:peace and PEACE Mexico.
someone once said, "Hands are the hearts landscape." We're not sure what
they were referring to but it is passionately illustrated in the work that is taking place in PEACE Mexico and now possible through destination:peace.

On friday night we celebrated with a PEACE party. We shared with everyone
the milestones we've achieved and the goals we are hoping to attain.

Be a part of it and share in the joy and giving!

Destination PEACE, hurry and sign up!

2009-12-05T12:37:00.000-08:00

2009-12-05T12:36:00.001-08:00

Katherine Fisher is a fan of

PEACE (Protection, Education, Animals, Culture & Environment

Create your Fan Badge

2009-12-05T12:34:00.000-08:00

Katherine Fisher is a fan of

Destination: PEACE

Create your Fan Badge

Community Gardens, how you can help!

2009-12-01T10:25:00.000-08:00

Talking the talk and walking the walk; The after school program teachers are leading their students in planning and creating community gardens in their schools. Students are receiving donations of plants and seeds from their families and the community and the results have been incredible! In Higuera Blanca Maestro Martin and his students have cleared a huge space, turned the soil and are planting maiz, rabanos and pepino. Maestros Miguel and Herendida have gotten the community in Emiliano Zapata involved in creating their community garden. Students are constructing beds and the director of the primaria can often be spotted working with the after school program staff and students in their school garden. Maestros Rosario and Pepe along with their students have been busy planting trees and constructing gardens beds in the school in Corral de Risco. Kinder Maestras Lucy and Rosy and their students have planted pepino, frijoles and rabanos! A special thanks to Steve for teaching gardening to the kinder students in Emiliano Zapata and for donating quality soil and seeds. Thank you to the amazing after school program teachers who are making a difference in the lives of local children and teaching through hands-on activities!

Who is PEACE

2009-11-25T12:42:00.000-08:00

Started by Molly Fisher over five years ago, PEACE has been actively involved in community services including free animal spay and neuter clinics and teaching free English classes to children and adults in Nayarit and now Jalisco.

The Bay of Banderas is blessed with the non-profit organization, PEACE (Protection, Education, Animals, Culture & Environment.) Started by Molly Fisher over five years ago, PEACE has been actively involved in community services including free animal spay and neuter clinics and teaching free English classes to children and adults in Nayarit.

As of now, PEACE acts as an umbrella organization for four main programs, Casa Comunidad, Ayuda Los Animales (Help The Animals), Women's Co-Op (Manos de Mujeres Unidas) and Community Pride. They are also hoping to expand into other areas of community service. It is a U.S. non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which accepts tax-deductible donations and a Mexican Civil Association, where a factura can be issued for a donation.

Casa Comunidad - Building Blocks For Life, helps children and adults develop the necessary skills to be successful, positive contributors to their multi-cultural, bilingual community, through free English classes. There is also an after school program, which includes, sports, art, adventure education, etc. This program operates in the Punta de Mita area.

Ayuda Los Animales (Help The Animals) - decreases the number of unwanted animals by holding high-volume spay and neuter clinics. Ayuda Los Animales has worked in Nayarit exclusively for the last five years, but has recently been contacted by the Jalisco Department of Health (Secretaria de Salud) to organize clinics in that state. PEACE provides teaching clinics for local vets, organizes education for children and adults, plus other animal related services.

The Women's Co-Op (Manos de Mujeres Unidas) - provides an opportunity for mothers to work in their homes. They develop creative skills and expression, by designing and producing various handicraft items, many made from recycled materials. The children are able to stay in school because their mothers are earning enough money to help support the family. This program runs in Punta de Mita.

Community Pride - actively pursues projects to protect the environment. The group throws "Trash Parties", installs trash cans, and works with the local government, businesses and volunteers to ensure pick-up and coordinating highway brigades.

PEACE has a proven track record of success in all these areas. Local governments and schools continually ask for these programs to be implemented in their colonias in Nayarit and now in Jalisco. If any of these are going to expand, PEACE needs volunteers and funding. For more information, please visit PeaceMexico.org.

Experience Volunteerism with Smiles!

2009-11-25T12:32:00.000-08:00

Beth and Peter volunteered with the kinder kids in Corral de Risco! Beth is a kinder teacher in the states, and she is trying to start an intercultural exchange between her class and the kinder class in Corral de RIsco. Beth and Peter taught a drawing class to the kids and then took pictures of each student to make a photo book to show Beth's students. At the end of the class Beth and Peter give the students bubbles and chalk to play with. The students were delighted, and Beth and Peter really enjoyed themselves as well!

This is just one experience you may find yourself in during a Destination:PEACE volunteer activity.

Thank you Beth and Peter for giving your time to the students in Corral de Risco! What an amazing team!

A MUST see video, enjoy the experience

2009-11-25T10:51:00.000-08:00

This video was created by Nikhol Esteras, Director of Casa Comunidad. She created an amaxing journey of the daily happenings at PEACE. Much love and besos!

PEACE Picture Party

2009-11-23T15:07:00.000-08:00

PEACE Picture Party's launched today! We had about 200 pictures, kids and teachers creating photo collages of PEACE happenings. This could be one of the many fun events you can participate in as a Guest of Destination:PEACE. The plan is to create a photo collage of each Destination:PEACE vacation. Also, if you have any PEACE pictures related to anything please feel free to send them to me: katherine@peacemexico.org and they will be included in the next party.

Garden Time!!

2009-11-20T11:21:00.001-08:00

Here is an example of one of the volunteer events you could participate in during the Destination:PEACE Vacation for the soul!

Students in the after school program in Emiliano Zapata are constructing a garden at their school and are learning, through hands-on experience, how to create a garden and take care of plants. Many of these kids and teachers have green thumbs so get ready to put your gardening gloves on!

Check out this Smilebox Slideshow of the first Destination:PEACE Vacation for the Soul

2009-11-20T09:58:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Destination: PEACE Mission

2009-11-19T14:33:00.000-08:00

To provide an opportunity for volunteers from all walks of life to experience the various Peace Mexico programs, to become immersed in another culture, and work side-by-side with other volunteers and residents to create and further sustainable community initiatives.