February 2023

Dear Friends of Liga MAC

Nutrition and fitness were integral parts of the pre-pandemic “Health Through Education” program offered to Liga MAC families. The program was designed and delivered by leading San Jose del Cabo physician and former Liga MAC Board member, Dr. Mauricio Mercado. Dr. Mercado’s support for Liga MAC reached a new level this month with the completion of a 500 km fundraising bicycle trip from Loreto to San Jose del Cabo benefitting Liga MAC (see Supporter Extraordinaire Profile). 

Liga MAC’s unique educational and personal development programs are in full swing. While the new Learning Centre is under construction, Liga MAC’s programs and office services have been relocated to various nearby facilities. (See Programs report and Learning Centre construction updates.)

Doctor’s Corner column by Dr. Deneb Poli is on pause but will return next month.



Retracing Dr. Mercado’s involvement with Liga MAC involves a lengthy history of voluntary service. His belief in giving back however, extends even further back. Originally from Mexico City, Mauricio studied medicine at UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico), Mexico’s most prestigious university and one that promotes social justice and service to the community. As an intern, Mauricio honed his social conscience while working with the impoverished in the low income neighbourhoods of Mexico City.

His work there pinpointed the gaps in service to the elderly, an area that would later become his area of expertise. As a newly minted doctor, Mauricio began his career in Ciudad Constitucion, the agricultural area of Baja California Sur.

A move to San Jose del Cabo about 15 years ago, brought Mauricio and Liga MAC together. His understanding of the Mexican health system through his work with Seguro Social (the socialized medical program for all workers in Mexico) gave him a clear insight into the shortfalls of the system and spurred him to volunteer his services to non-profits like Liga MAC. 

Recognizing that Liga MAC was taking a wholistic approach in its support of students, Dr. Mercado agreed to join Liga MAC’s Board of Directors in 2015 and decided to start a new “Health Through Education” program for Liga MAC families. In his years of medical practice in Mexico City and Baja California Sur, he noticed that not only was the incidence of diabetes at epidemic proportions but that amputations, dialysis and early deaths due to diabetes were rampant. His new program was designed to educate families about the benefits of good nutrition, exercise and proper self-care specifically to help reduce the rate of diabetes.

Dr. Mercado enlisted the help of several colleagues for his new program. Nutritionist Alejandra Martinez taught Liga MAC families about the importance of decreasing carbohydrates and increasing vegetables and water intake in their diets and teacher Celia Villalobos stressed the importance of physical activity with simple lifestyle changes like walking instead of driving to local activities. Dr. Mercado’s informative clinics brought into focus the importance of preventative self-care like regular dental care. 

Unfortunately, the Health Through Education program fell victim to the COVID shutdown. The new Learning Centre however, with its teaching kitchen, classrooms and exercise area will provide the perfect setting for a reprised program.  

Always ready to lead by example, Dr. Mercado together with David, Sergio and 4 other riders completed the route from Feb. 1 to Feb. 6. Each rider pledged to raise $500 for Liga MAC. The ride exceeded expectations by raising $4,900 USD. Dr. Mercado and his fellow cyclists were met at the finish line in San Jose del Cabo by a group of excited Liga MAC students bearing flowers and congratulatory signs. Felicidades Dr. Mercado!  And thank you for your dedicated service to Liga MAC and extending our donor family!

The mother of a student enrolled in tutoring classes confided in ED Elva Haro recently that she was pleased with the improvement in her son’s test results which she attributed directly to the tutoring classes and that the classes were well worth the extra effort involved in delivering him to class.

Malena is a licensed practicing English teacher, mother and now a volunteer who is giving back to Liga MAC in appreciation for the support Liga MAC gave her.

Agentes de Cambio - Agents of Change, a leadership and community involvement program held in conjunction with the Boys & Girls Club, continues until the end of the school year and is attended by 49 Grade 9 Liga MAC students. Another group of 49 Grade 10 students will be attending short term after school seminars including art classes, soccer, baseball and other sports.

Alas and Aguilas - Due to scheduling conflicts, the first edition of Liga MAC’s nationally recognized Alas and Aguilas self awareness and sexuality program for the 2022/2023 school year was held in August of 2022. A second program for those Grade 10 students who were unable to attend the first, will be held in March 2023 on 4 consecutive Saturday mornings and will be facilitated by Heddy Villasenor.

Community Service - One of the prerequisites for involvement in the Liga MAC student support program is participation in a community service project. Some parents and students help at Liga MAC’s volunteer run Donation Centre on Blvd. Marinos but not all can be accommodated there. As a result, others have found ways to help in their communities by cleaning neighbourhood parks. 

While we wait (still!) for the final Learning Centre construction permits, acquisitions are being lined up for delivery later. Two very generous donors have offered a dining room table and chairs that will be repurposed as a meeting room board table and a home renovation has resulted in kitchen cabinets and an island donation for our “healthy kitchen” which is a part of the Health Through Education Program. Over the next month Liga MAC staff will be compiling a “wish list” which we will publish in next month’s update. The list will be comprised of potential in-kind donations (to be delivered as needed) for the new Centre. Despite the lack of permits, we are still on track for an end of year completion.

Leading by example is an ideal to which many aspire but only some commit. We can all take something though, from Dr. Mercado’s epic ride, whether it is a commitment to physical exercise, a quest to see more of our beautiful environment, a desire to join in the camaraderie of others, or the fulfillment of a philanthropic need. The importance of setting a good example for others is also an important Liga MAC tenet. Our students need positive role models to guide their lives going forward and we thank Dr. Mercado not only for his commitment to Liga MAC but also for being a shining beacon for our students.

Always grateful,

Maria Lindenberg, President

Liga MAC Board of Directors

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