It is sometimes difficult to match Liga MAC’s fiscal year which ends on December 31 with the functioning school year ending in July, but in truth the student support program work goes on all year. One of the busiest times from a staff work load perspective is the period from the end of April until the school year starts again in August. It is during this time that new student applications (Grade 7) are received and processed; potential students and their families are interviewed; potential applicants are tested; the selection process takes place; and for the successful candidates, orientation begins.  

At the same time, ceremonies for graduating Liga MAC students are attended by Liga MAC staff; statistical results evaluated; and applications for students continuing on to university with Liga MAC are received. Months prior, Liga MAC staff assist Grade 12 students to apply for scholarships and at year end all eagerly await the scholarship announcements.

This year, Liga MAC was invited to attend five graduation ceremonies: Cecyt 04, Cecyt 07, Conalep and Cetmar (grade 12) and ITES (university). Representing Liga MAC, Executive Director Elva Haro, gratefully accepted recognition certificates acknowledging the support given by Liga MAC to Los Cabos students. See Certificates Here (Spanish).

Elva together with state and municipal representatives were invited to congratulate each individual student. One graduate, Liga MAC student Jesus Crisanto (profiled in the June 2023 Update), received a standing ovation for overcoming adversity in his quest for a diploma. 

After the graduation ceremonies, Elva had a chance to chat with school administrators and teachers. The overwhelming concern voiced by the educators concurred with Liga MAC’s findings: pandemic isolation has had a major impact on Los Cabos students. They cited high dropout rates and high anxiety levels due to a shortage of classroom space and declining sociability. Pandemic isolation has led, in their views, to depression, suicide attempts, and even lost fluency capacity. The problem is so pervasive that teachers are banning cell phones in class to inhibit students’ abilities to access the internet and tune out of classroom activities. Fortunately Liga MAC is in the position to be able to address some of these concerns through counselling, tutoring, personal awareness programs and thanks to our new Learning Centre, in-house and individual attention.

New student intake proceeds with orientation classes for parents and students at the Cecyt 07 auditorium. Due to size limitations, 6 sessions of students and parents have received instruction on uniform vouchers, attendance requirements, parental involvement and extracurricular programs.  

Juggling paperwork, orientations, grad ceremonies from their temporary offices, Liga MAC staff are excited that next year this busy time of year will be organized from their new location, the Liga MAC Learning Centre! 

Excitement is mounting both for Liga MAC staff and Zacatal locals as the Learning Centre rises towards its completion date of late September. Executive Director, Elva Haro, has pledged to be ready for a move with or without furnishings! At the present moment the roof of the two storey building is in place, exterior staircases are under construction, and interior and exterior walls are in the process of being plastered. Program class start dates are scheduled for October, 2023. Locals are expressing their pride in having Liga MAC build this facility in their community and continuing to give their children opportunities for a brighter future. Lifting up a child can lift a community. 

The year long program, Agents of Change, co-sponsored with the Boys and Girls Club, came to a close on July 21. All year long 49 Grade 9 Liga MAC students have attended after school sessions building towards a community project. The students choose a project benefitting their community and then work on the project throughout the year with a final presentation on July 21. Past projects have included schoolyard cleanups and repairing a community clubhouse patio in La Playita. This year the hard working students chose a beach cleanup in La Playa and have documented their efforts and prepared a presentation to complete the project.

In addition to Agents of Change, Liga MAC programs include Alas & Aguiles (personal awareness), Math and Spanish tutoring, English as a Second Language, Self-Esteem & Life Skills, and career counselling. With the advent of a premises dedicated to administering Liga MAC’s programs, the opening of the Learning Centre will herald the expansion of existing programs, re-introduction of our Nutrition program and choir programs, as well as the addition of a Reading appreciation program in a dedicated library setting, computer skills programs, physical education, and music appreciation.

Liga MAC is excited to be participating in the World Wide Technology Championship from November 2 - 5, 2023 at Diamante Golf Course. This is the first time the tournament has been held in Los Cabos. There is a wide variety of volunteer roles from which to choose if you would like to volunteer for this event as part of Liga MAC’s team. For more information please email sjdmena@gmail.com expressing your interest.

Also in golf news, the Knick Nac Tournament returns to the beautiful Querencia Golf course. The tournament benefitting Liga MAC will take place November 30, 2023. An annual sellout event, entry fees include a round of golf at the Tom Fazio designed private golf course, a buffet dinner, silent auction, and much more! For more information please contact Linda Myers at lindalgklas@aol.com.

Moving on to food and fun, Tacos, Tostadas and Tequila will return this year but to a new venue. Chef/owner and Liga MAC Board member, Tadd Chapman, is hosting the event at his special events location, Baja Luna on December 6, 2023. Tickets will be $100 USD or 1,800 pesos. Online ticket sales information will be available this fall.

Annual Volunteer activities including operating booths at both the San Jose and Palmilla Organic Markets and maintaining the Donation Centre on Marino Boulevard will resume in November and continue until May, 2024. The Donation Centre receives donations of gently used clothing and household goods as well as books and makes them available in the same location for a modest donation. In addition, English as a Second Language co-ordinators will be reaching out to volunteers in preparation for the upcoming school year.

A tragic accident has taken the life of a former Liga MAC Board president and volunteer. Cynthia Wickerink was Liga MAC Board president from 2007 to 2009 as well as Liga MAC’s first Executive Director. Cynthia went on to support her community of Los Cabos through involvement with the International Community Foundation. Our condolences are extended to her family and her husband, Jim. Her dedication to her adopted community of Los Cabos was exemplary and we mourn her passing.

Medical facilities are divided between the public healthcare system and the private sector:

The public healthcare system is available to permanent residents/citizens and consists of IMSS that treats workers who are insured through their employer; ISSSTE that treats government employees and Bienestar that treats all of those that are not covered under the previous two. Every other hospital or clinic in Los Cabos is part of the private sector and medical care is paid for out of pocket or via personal medical coverage. 

Whether you have coverage through the public system or not, in an emergency, hospitals are required to stabilize a patient regardless of coverage. That being said, if you find yourself in an emergency situation please go to the nearest hospital public or private.

These are the available facilities with addresses, in no particular order:  

Clínica San José (private)

Catholic Hospital, Mauricio Castro, San José del Cabo

Phone: 624 142 0260

Hospiten (private)

Paseo de las Misiones s/n, Patio San Jose, Col. Club de Golf, San José del Cabo

Phone: 624 105 5850

Hospital H+ (private)

Carr. Transpeninsular Km 24.5, Fracción C-1, San José del Cabo

Phone: 624 104 9300

Clínica Santa Rosa (private)

Severo Garduño S/N, Santa Rosa, San José del Cabo

Phone: 624 142 4065 

IMSS HGSZ 38 San Jose del Cabo (Public hospital)

Av Tecnologico S/N, 23444 San José del Cabo

Phone: 624 123 5809

Hospital General (Public Hospital)

Calle Pescadores s/n, Col. El Chamizal, San José del Cabo

Phone: 624 142 3813

ISSSTE Clinica Hospital San Jose Del Cabo (Public Hospital)

C. Tifón, El Rosarito, 23444 San José del Cabo, B.C.S.

Phone: 624 142 1600

Locate the hospital nearest you, this will ensure that in the event of an emergency you get help quickly. 

Emergencies can also be reported to 911. 

Our Liga MAC students can now put their school uniforms and graduation gowns away and look towards summer jobs, sibling childcare, post secondary plans and having fun. Their respite will be brief however, as school resumes on August 28. For Liga MAC staff, the work goes on preparing for new student intake, setting up existing programs, designating student participants, developing new programs and preparations to move into our Liga MAC Learning Centre!  

Enjoy your summer!

Maria Lindenberg, President

Liga MAC Board of Directors