Help Raza United Leaders get to Tepatitlán!

Hello! My name is Silvia Gomez, I am East High School's Raza United Advisor as well as a member of the Madison/Tepatitlán Sister Cities, Inc committee. We have partnered together to send 10 students and 4 chaperones on a once in a life time educational, cultural and life experience to Tepatitlán, Jalisco, México in October for almost 2 weeks. But we need your help.

What will the students do?

1. Students will learn about the Mexican education system by attending school at the Preparatoria Regional de Tepatitlán (college prep high school), as well as collaborating with local high school students in making a float and participating in the annual Juglarías event, a Fine Arts showcase celebration and parade.

2. Students will also experience the cultural richness of Día de los Muertos, as well as learn about the Wixáritari peoples, the indigenous peoples from Nayarit, Jalisco, Zacatecas and Durango, as well as from California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

3. Students will visit many museums, archeological places, and several universities in Guadalajara and in Tepatitlán.

4. Students will also enjoy a fun exprience visiting Chapala and hopefully experience the hot water springs.

This experience is important for students as many have never been in Mexico or have never experienced important cultural events or do not know their own history. This trip, although only in a small region, will give students an idea and the experience of what their parents/ancestors may have lived, experience Día de los Muertos, and learn about the rich and beautiful culture of Mexican art, food, music, history, and so much more!

On this trip students will also engage in a community service project with one of the least privileged elementary schools in Tepatitlán. Our hope is to bring games and school supplies as this elementary school does not have much school supplies or games. Teachers have to pay out of pocket for many of the supplies, but this is many times too costly for teachers. Students will have a day to engage with the students, learning from each other. This will be a great experience for our high school students!

Our hope is that this trip becomes a yearly experience for Raza United high school students, taking different students each year.

Thankyou for your support, it is much appreciated!