I am suspicious of all do gooding. I find that it is often the case the person who rounds up the needy to represent them gains much more than the needy themselves. I see United Way executives spending more time at conferences in Europe than they do building programs to help others.
So when I was invited to Pina Palmera to see their operation in the Mexican town of Zipolite (where I was staying) I had some reservations. Was there a religious component? The answer was no. OK good. Did they have a traveling executive board? No again. Were they familiar with the Paris Four Seasons Hotel? No. OK good. Pina Palmera acts as an advocacy and education group for the handicapped in Mexico. As I have said before, Mexico is in many ways similar to Canada in the 60s. It is common for families to hide away a handicapped child and keep them outside of the social realm for their entire lives. The folks at the Pina Palmera centre work to integrate the handicapped into the general population by giving them skills and a sense of genuine worth.
During my visit I saw people performing all of lifes normal tasks, cleaning,cooking, making objects to sell and generally working. The centre sends people to other communities to teach inclusion and acceptance for the handicapped. They also provide physical rehab and volunteer doctors visit to do what volunteer doctors do.
My visit to the Pina Palmera Centre was short and I don't pretend to know more than one can from a short visit but I was impressed. The thing I liked most was that I have known about this place for years and yet I didn't. That is because they go about their work quietly and patiently and they do not seek any merit points or accolades. I am impressed.
They as always are broke and here is the bite. You can donate at HSBC, Plaza Potchutla. Oaxaca,Sucursal: 0842. Account # 4032851404 key 630040328514043.
OK enough of my do gooding. I will return to my regular musings next week.
