The event takes place on Thursday December 1st at the UNM Continuing Education Auditorium, 1634 University Boulevard Northeast. Lots of giveaways and door prizes.

KUNM members, reserve two FREE tickets at membersfree@kunm.org Or call 277-0768. Non-members can get tickets at the door, $5 each. Doors open at 6:.00pm.

St. Anthony’s Alliance will be at the event with lots of  holiday gift sets from The Lavender Project, Mexico and copies of Maurice Sherif’s ‘The American Wall.’

Since mid 2006, Maurice Sherif has been photographing segments of the U.S.—Mexico border wall from the American side and questioning how the United States—which sees itself as a champion of law, democracy, and human rights—came to engage in such a project.

The events were well attended and contributions from Charles Bowden (author of Murder City: Ciudad Juárez and the Global Economy’s New Killing Fields) and Molly Molloy (a research librarian for Latin America and the border at New Mexico State University) provided for very lively discussion. Issues relating to the border wall, immigration and most importantly for St. Anthony’s Alliance the creation of economic opportunities in Mexican communities were explored in depth.

THE AMERICAN WALL:

FROM THE PACIFIC OCEAN TO THE GULF OF MEXICO

This superb bookset, presents dramatic photographs and eloquent trilingual testimonies that recount the environmental, social and economic costs of trying to wall off Mexico from the United States.

- Book One presents one hundred dramatic photographs of the wall, using the printing technique known as quadratone.

- Book  Two includes thought-provoking essays by these authorities on border issues.  All  essays are in English, Spanish and French.

GET YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY WHILE STOCKS LAST

Anyone who donates $200 or more will be presented with a complimentary copy of ‘The American Wall’ by Maurice Sherif while stocks last.  Donations  will go directly to St. Anthony’s Alliance for the Lavender Project in Mexico.

Step1: Complete an Order Form:

Step 2: Send your payment/donation to:

St Anthony’s Alliance, 4123 Montgomery Blvd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87109 (Make checks payable to: St. Anthony’s Alliance)

OR

Donate through our Paypal account.

Step 3: Orders can be collected from the above address.  Delivery can be arranged but an additional cost may apply.

St. Anthony’s Alliance is solely funded through donations. We work hard to ensure that our administrative costs are minimised, so that 100% of your donations end up helping to fund our various projects. Your donation can make a remarkable difference in the lives of those we support with our projects.

To arrange a presentation of The American Wall and St. Anthony’s Alliance in New Mexico contact Ruth – shortall.ruth@gmail.com.

Lee Gentry joined Azul Lavanda Team in late 2010 bringing huge experience in the area of education and a huge energy and motivation to develop the Lavender Project further. Lee has a Bachelor’s of Art – Education and Spanish & Master’s of Art of Elementary Education. She is certified as an English language teacher and served on a School Council Board for two years. Lee is also a member of Bale – O’Bryan South Central Bank Succession Board and a Kid Yoga Instructor.

What were you doing before you worked with the Lavender Project?

Living in San Miguel de Allende experiencing the Mexican culture, learning Spanish, care giving, educating children….finding myself

How did you get involved with the Lavender Project?

Three years ago, I was walking one Sunday afternoon and peeked in Petit Four, a café in SMA.  I saw a lovely line of products and beautiful women selling at the bar there.  I bought an eye pillow for myself.  I thanked the lovely woman (now I know to be Lucia) and have slept with the lavender pillow ever since (now I have 3).   Then two years later, I ran into a friend in the street and she said, “Lee, I have the perfect job for you!  Coordinator of the Lavender Project!  Not remembering the Lavender ladies, I said ok, send me the info, but didn’t think much of it, bc she often said she had the perfect job for me.  One hour later, in the streets of San Miguel, I ran into another friend and in passing she gave me a lavender bouquet.  In that moment, there was a nudge from within that forced me to say, “Ok…I am listening.”  A few weeks later I was asked to help with the annual event.  I volunteered to assist Lori Richardson (chairperson of event) to help.  I met Tes and Jim for a brief moment.  Then I left for the states for the next 4-5 months not knowing if I was going to return to SMA, Mexico….I was open.  Some time in Sept.  I received an email from Tes asking if I would be interested in being Project Manager for the Lavender Project… I was hesitant (due to my own lack of self-confidence) one email later, and a phone call, I accepted the job.

What brought you to San Miguel?

Ummm….how to explain….just listened to the inner voice that said it was time for a change.  I had everything that was equivalent to happiness, but something was missing.   I followed the signs, the flow of my life, my heart, my journey.  My heart always led me to Mexico for visits, for professional development in my teaching career.  I wanted to go somewhere, live a different culture, but really live and experience a life outside of my upbringing.  Mexico felt comfortable to begin this journey.

What has surprised you most about working with the Lavender Project?

Myself. It is the reflection I see in all of these women.  The things I am teaching and guiding them to do  are my own lessons.

What’s your favourite thing about San Miguel/La Colorada?

I have always known that anything is possible but SMA brings this phrase to its life and truest potential.  Everywhere you look, beautiful things are being created from all forms of art, organizations being created and supported one after another supporting the Mexican community all with the theme of empowering the locals and creating a sustainable life here.  It’s rather beautiful.

What’s your favorite thing about working with the Lavender Project?

Driving one hour everyday to work ending on the washboard road just to see Lucia’s confidence building every day. Lupe’s fairness,  Angelina’s wisdom, Elizabeth’s determination, Esther’s guidance, Lilia’s creativity,  Beatriz leadership, Aucencio’s ambition, Rosa Maria’s smile, Paola’s smile and ability to speak in something I think is Spanish and somehow we communicate.  Pedro teaching me to use an jos to cut the fresh lavender.  Elizabeth’s head on my shoulder that lets me know we are ALL in it TOGETHER.  The truth is that we are and together is the only way in order to move adelante!

What do you do when you’re not sleeping, eating and thinking about the Lavender Project?

What does that feel like?   How will I ever know any different?  The Project is in my heart and soul por siempre.  What helps to break away for a bit…I live in the country outside of SMA, so that allows me to break at a physical distance.  There I spend time in nature with Sergio living rather simply, growing organic vegetables, throwing baseball, learning to ride a horse, lying in a hammock for most sunsets, reading books about other social entrepreneur’s projects and NO INTERNET!  I love being outside!   Outside of work and Mexico, I travel to the US a lot to visit friends and family, as well as attending family bank board meetings.

What do you wish other people knew about the Lavender Project?

I wish others knew how much support and guidance that is needed in order to bring a project such as this one to sustainability.  It isn’t a part time project; therefore, full time consultants are essential in order to reach the 5 year goal of sustainability.  Also, the magic of what empowerment can do for giving one an opportunity for a better quality of life.  Also, that we are creating a model for other rural communities in Mexico and outside of Mexico.

What motivates you?

Work that empowers and educates people to improve their quality of life.   Knowing that I can make the change I want to see in the world by loving, connecting, educating, learning with and from others.

What is the biggest challenge facing the Lavender Project over the next two years?

Sustainability.  Creating more jobs.  Water preservation.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT:  A good range of products have been developed by the project team over the past few years. The team are currently examining with the support of the University of Notre Dame the most profitable and sustainable product lines and developing a project plan to match this.  Quality control is a big part of managing the production process and two new staff members have been up-skilled to supervise and ensure consistency throughout the process.  Elizabeth Torres Rodriguez (pictured above) has recently joined the project as a supervisor of Almacen to manage inventory control.

SALES & MARKETING: Getting the products to market and to the right markets has been an integral part of the learning curve within the project. Lee is currently working with local stores to sell products and also cultivating sales to neighboring cities – Queretaro, Irapuato, Leon, Mexico City, Nayarit, Juriquilla. Links have also been made with a local hotel chain.  There are a number of things that would support the further development of the sales and marketing – better website and online shopping facility, product catalog, ethical tourism opportunities.  These areas will be the focus of support and investment in over the next 12 months.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: The Lavender Project aims to be as consultative as possible – council meetings are held on a weekly basis and faculty meetings – with everyone involved in the project having a voice are held twice a month.  The views and concerns of everyone are taken into account. This is a time consuming process but has led to a greater understanding of the project and decision making processes.

The Lavender Project works very closely with all local partners from the farmers to the production team. Weekly meetings are held with local farmers, close links have been made with the local community particularly La Colorada Community Centre.  The Lavender Project has representation on La Colorada Town Council & other local initiatives. A monthly newsletter about the Lavender Project is now posted in local stores particularly in San Miguel. The Lavender Project has also recently agreed to sponsor the local soccer team which will ensure that the project is a household name in La Colorada.

The Lavender Project is at a critical stage of development and has now a strong team in place to support the exciting next phase of making this a sustainable venture.

The aim of the Lavender Project is to become sustainable in every sense of the word.  The facilities in the Lavender Fields have been pretty primitive until now.  These are the new dry composting latrines built to accommodate visitors.

On average toilets use about 30% of the total water used in a household. An old style single flush toilet can use up to 13 litres of water, more modern ones – between 4 & 6 litres.

These do not use any water, they separate urine from faeces and compost over time so that everything is recycled. The urine is then mixed with water to make fertilizer so not only are visitors experiencing the delights of the lavender fields they are contributing in many ways to the sustainability of the farm! They are also maintenance free (and odourless ) so no expensive plumbing bills at the end of the year!!

This is just one of the ways that the Lavender Project is becoming eco-friendly. We have plans for solar energy and water conservation projects in the future subject to funding!

St. Anthony’s Alliance is dedicated in 2011 to continuing the Scholarship Awards program for the youth of this community of 1,000 plus.

In 2010, Twenty-seven awards were successfully made to primaria, secondario,  preparatoria (high school), and bachillerato students. To qualify, a student must have maintained an average or better grade the previous year.

This year St. Anthony’s has set a goal of $5,000 US for continuation of Scholarship Awards for these students.

Help make a difference in lives of the young people living in La Colorada Rancho in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Make a donation online through our secure Paypal account

or

Send a check to:

La Colorada Rancho Scholarship Appeal

St Anthony’s Alliance, 4123 Montgomery Blvd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87109

Please make checks payable to: St. Anthony’s Alliance

We thank everyone who has contributed to the Frank Spencer Memorial, and in doing so, has allowed Frank’s work to continue even after his death.

St. Anthony’s is sponsoring another trip, a surgical mission, that will leave February 26th.  The team is working on gathering 50 pairs of crutches to take down along with medicine and medical supplies. They will work with Operation Smile in Fond Parisien, an hour east of Port-au-Prince, at Love a Child Relief Foundation.

In April 2010, St. Anthony’s Alliance & Global Relief Now will go back to Haiti.  On this trip we hope to bring food, medicine, and medical supplies to Mirebalais, Port-au-Prince, and Fond du Blancs.

We are looking for aluminum, adjustable crutches, mosquito nets, and monetary donations for food and medicine.  You can donate on the website or send a check made out to St. Anthony’s Alliance to 4123 Montgomery Blvd NE 87109. For any questions please email elycetryon@gmail.com.

There has been a tremendous outpouring of support during this tough time in Haiti.  We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.