Thursday, August 1, 2013

LA JOVEN VENEZOLANA ALEJANDRA PAOLA FERNANDEZ GANADORA DEL CONCURSO LATIN INTERNATIONAL PRE-TEEN TOP MODEL 2014

Alejandra Paola Fernandez
Miss Latin International Pre-Teen Top Model










Alejandra Paola Fernandez,venezolana de 12 anos de edad, concurso este mes de julio en el Latin International Pre-teen Top Model 2014, donde resulto ganadora del mismo.
Nuestro mejores deseos y felicitaciones a Alejandra y sus familia.

Fotografias tomadas y publicada con la debida autorizacion de sus padres.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

City of Miami Beach Cultural Affairs

City of Miami Beach Cultural Affairs=August 1 - August 7, 2013

 
The Miami Beach Cultural Affairs Program, with guidance from the Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council, develops, coordinates and promotes the performing and visual arts groups in Miami Beach. To date, Cultural Affairs has awarded over $9 million in grants to approximately 130 diverse not-for-profit arts groups, which contribute so richly to the artistic landscape of the City, proving that the Council plays an integral leadership role in supporting, promoting and advocating the unique and extensive scope of cultural offerings in Miami Beach.
For more events visit:

     

Art Deco Inspired FREE
Opens August 1, 2013
Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive
305.672.2014 www.mdpl.org
The Art Deco era spans the time period between the two World Wars.  During that time all genres of art were influenced by the frivolity of the 1920s, the austerity of the 1930s and drive of the 1940s. Art Deco Inspired will showcase several local artists who have been inspired by our local historic Art Deco. Visitors will see how a historic style has influenced contemporary artists. Exhibition continues through August 31, 2013.
BEST OF CANNES: THE HUNT
Thursday, August 1, 4:15 p.m.
Miami Beach Cinematheque, 1130 Washington Avenue
(The Celebration), The Hunt is a disturbing depiction of how a lie becomes the truth when gossip, doubt and malice are allowed to flourish and ignite a witch-hunt that soon threatens to destroy an innocent man's life. (In Danish with English subtitles).
BLACK GIRL and AFRIQUE SUR SEINE
Thursday, August 1, 6:00 p.m.
Miami Beach Cinematheque, 1130 Washington Avenue
A film program curated and introduced by artist Bouchra Khalili. In Black Girl,Senegalese novelist and director Ousmane Sembene tells the heart-rending story of a Senegalese servant, Diouana focusing on her individual dreams, desires, and struggles. (French with English subtitles). Afrique sur Seine focuses on a community of Africans living in Paris, observing French society as colonial ethnographers had observed Africa, reversing the perspective, and "decolonizing" their look and their mind. (French with English subtitles.)
Thursday, August 1, 8:30 p.m.
Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater, 1700 Washington Avenue
Metric is a Canadian New Wave band founded in 1998 in Toronto. They were also at various times been based in Montreal, London, New York City and Los Angeles. The band consists of Emily Haines (lead vocals, synthesizers, guitar, tambourine, harmonica, piano), James Shaw (guitar, synthesizers, theremin, backing vocals), Joshua Winstead (bass, synthesizers, backing vocals) and Joules Scott-Key (drums, percussion).
ONLY GOD FORGIVES
Thursday, August 1, 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 3, 9:10 p.m.
Sunday, August 4, 9:10 p.m.
Wednesday, August 7, 9:10 p.m.
Miami Beach Cinematheque, 1130 Washington Avenue
www.mbcinema.com
Julian, an American fugitive from justice, runs a boxing club in Bangkok as a front for his drug business. His mother, the head of a vast criminal organization, arrives from the US to collect the body of her favorite son, Billy. (In English and Thai w/ English subtitles).
BEFORE MIDNIGHT
Friday, August 2, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 3 - Sunday, August 4, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 7, 7:00 p.m.
Miami Beach Cinematheque, 1130 Washington Avenue
Nine years after their acclaimed, Oscar-nominated collaboration Before Sunset, director Richard Linklater and actors/screenwriters Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy update one of the most iconic love stories in contemporary cinema. 
Beats after Sunset
Friday, August 2, 8:00 p.m.
Bass Museum of Art, 2100 Collins Avenue
305.673.7530 www.bassmuseum.org
The first Friday of every month on the terrace. Guest Dj and complimentary specialty cocktails (21+) Members: Free. Non-members: $10 (cost of museum admission)
I-95 South FREE
Opens August 3, 2013
ArtCenter South Florida, 800/810/924 Lincoln Road
I-95 South brings together seven emerging artists based in Miami and New York, two diverse and culturally rich metropolitan cities. The exhibition asserts the importance of place and how that influences medium, technique, narrative and iconography.Together, they have reinvented the "canvas," developed new languages and reinterpreted their heritages. Exhibition continues through September 29, 2013. 
North Shore National Register District Tour
Saturday, August 3, 9:30 a.m.
SE Corner of 73 Street and Collins Avenue
305.672.2014 www.mdpl.org
The tour will use the buildings and streetscape to tell three stories: 1. how the area has been preserved and what needs to be done to continue its preservation; 2. how the designs used in the area came to be; and, 3. the history of the area that provides context for stories 1 & 2. Cost: $20.
Museum Tours
Saturday, August 3, 2:00 p.m.
Bass Museum of Art, 2100 Collins Avenue
305.673.7530 www.bassmuseum.org
Docent led tours of the museum exhibitions. For more Info: www.bassmuseum.orgor call 305.673.7530 Members and Miami Beach Residents: free. Non-members: $8 (cost of museum admission).
Studio Crawl FREE
Saturday, August 3, 7:00 p.m.
ArtCenter's Studio Crawl, held every first Saturday of the month, invites visitors to wander throughout the ArtCenter's two buildings, exchange with our artists in their studios and view our current exhibitions.
Eve Sussman | Rufus Corporation
Continues through August 11, 2013
Bass Museum of Art, 2100 Collins Avenue
305.673.7530 www.bassmuseum.org
Eve Sussman | Rufus Corporation is a presentation of the video artist's recent projects. This exhibition will present two major video installations, including an entirely new exploration of her noted film The Rape of the Sabine Women. The exhibition continues through August 11, 2013. 
Modern Meals: Remaking American Foods from Farm to Kitchen
Continues through August 18, 2013
The Wolfsonian-FIU, 1001 Washington Ave
305.531.1001 www.wolfsonian.org
Modern Mealsexamines how people in the U.S. began eating foods that were mass-produced in the first half of the 20th century. Images and artifacts from The Wolfsonian's collection illustrate the movement of food from the field, to the factory, supermarket, and kitchen table, in order to explore how modern technology, design, and business practices created new meanings for food and eating in this era.
Women in Motion: Fitness, Sport, and the Female Figure
Continues through August 18, 2013
The Wolfsonian-FIU, 1001 Washington Ave
305.531.1001 www.wolfsonian.org
Women in Motiondisplays images of physically active women produced by governments, fitness advocates, advertisers, and artists in Europe and the United States during the first half of the twentieth century. Both exhibitions examine aspects of everyday culture in the early 20th century that are still of great concern today, from the methods through which our foods are produced, to equal access to athletic opportunities for women. 
Bat Mitzvah Comes Of Age
Continues through September 15, 2013
Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, 301 Washington Avenue
305.672.5044 www.jewishmuseum.com
On Saturday morning, March 18, 1922 - two years after American women received the right to vote - Judith Kaplan, daughter of Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan, became the first American girl to mark her bat mitzvah during a public worship service. In the decades that followed, many other girls and women became the "first" in their communities, helping to reshape American Judaism.
Chapungu artists--Fresh out of Fairchild FREE
Continues through November 16, 2013
Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Drive
These monolithic stone sculptures are carved by the Shona people of Zimbabwe. The pieces express human ecology at its core, and will be on display throughout the Garden.
Pleasure, Fear and the Pursuit of Happiness FREE
Ongoing
Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Drive
Nayda Collazo-Llorens will be installing 2D textual art along the meandering concrete pathways in the Garden. The text is based on thoughts and memories--both real and imagined--collected from Miami Beach locals and visitors. An opening reception will be held June 28, 5-7 p.m.
Untitled ([construction of good)]
Ongoing
The Wolfsonian-FIU, 1001 Washington Ave
305.531.1001 www.wolfsonian.org
The Wolfsonian-FIU presents a new site-specific exhibit, Untitled ([construction of good)] by artist Bhakti Baxter in The Wolfsonian Bridge Tender House beginning November 29th. The installation will take place in the steel structure created in the Art Deco style outside of the museum entrance. The focus of the exhibit will be on the construction of good for mankind, focusing on how the meanings of things are perpetually shaped by their human and historical contexts.
Egyptian Gallery
Ongoing
Bass Museum of Art, 2100 Collins Avenue
305.673.7530 www.bassmuseum.org
The Bass Museum of Art invites visitors to experience the ancient world at the only Egyptian Gallery in Florida.  The gallery offers a unique opportunity to learn about one of the world's oldest and most mysterious civilizations from its surviving objects, including an Egyptian sarcophagus and mummy.
Watercolors-English and American
Ongoing
World Erotic Art Museum, 1205 Washington Avenue
305.532.9336  www.weam.com
The extraordinary persona of Sylvie Jones, the famed London artist who has also written such popular children's books as "Who's in the Tub," will be on view. Tickets are $15 with no one under 18 admitted. 
Art and Design in the Modern Age: Selections from the Wolfsonian Collection
Ongoing
Wolfsonian-FIU, 1001 Washington Ave.
305.531.1001 www.wolfsonian.org
The nearly 300 works on display, 1885 to 1945,  provide insight into the ways design has influenced and adapted to the modern world.
Artcenter/South Florida Artists-In-Residence Ongoing
FREE
 Artcenter/South Florida, 800, 810 and 924 Lincoln Road
305.674.2728 www.artcentersf.org
ArtCenter/South Florida ("ACSF") announces the arrival of four new Artists-in-Residence and welcomes visitors to their working studios. 
Selections from the Collection
Ongoing
Bass Museum of Art2100 Collins Avenue
305.673.7530 www.bassmuseum.org 
The permanent collection of the Bass Museum of Art spans more than five hundred years and four continents, including works from Renaissance and Baroque paintings; Rococo court painting and English portraiture; painting and sculpture of North America and much more.
MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida
OngoingJewish Museum of Florida301 Washington Avenue
305.672.5044    www.jewishmuseum.com
More than 500 photos and artifacts that depict the Jewish experience in Florida since 1763. The exhibit includes three films and a timeline wall of Jewish history.
Jazid
Nightly -- Varying Times
1342 Washington Avenue
305.673.9372 www.jazid.net
Jazid is proud to be the longest-running nightclub on Miami Beach with live music every night of the week. Jazid's diverse music includes a multi-cultural mix of Latin and American jazz, funk, cumbia, reggae, rock, and more.
Van Dyke Cafe
Live Jazz Nightly
846 Lincoln Road
305.534.3600 www.thevandykecafe.com
Join us Upstairs at the Van Dyke, the perfect place to enjoy live music, lounge and socialize. 
Free Fridays at the Wolf  FREE 
Fridays, 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. 
Wolfsonian-FIU, 1001 Washington Ave.
305.535.1001 www.wolfsonian.org
FREE gallery admission with the support of The Miami Herald. Tours begin at 6:00 p.m. with innovative programming at 7:00 pm. 
Guided, Private and Self-Guided Tours of the Art Deco Historic District
Ongoing
Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive
305.672.2014 www.mdpl.org    
All tours take approximately 90 minutes. Prices vary.
Art Deco Bike and Segway Tours
Ongoing
Bike and Roll, 210 Tenth Street
305.604.0001 www.bikeandroll.com
$39 adults/$29 kids and students.

FLORIDA POCKET RANGER APP ADDS BEACH ACCESS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2013



FLORIDA POCKET RANGER APP ADDS BEACH ACCESS 

~Update adds more than 2,000 beaches in addition to 171 parks and trails~


TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service has updated its Pocket Ranger app for smartphones to include every public beach access point in Florida, in addition to information about its 171 state parks, and trails.
Those who have downloaded Pocket Ranger for state park information now have access to locations and amenities about every public beach access point in Florida. More than 2,000 public coastal access sites are included in the coastal section. Divided into three regions – panhandle, Atlantic coast and southwest Florida coast – the app provides useful information to help plan trips to the beach.
"More than 70,000 people have downloaded the Florida Pocket Ranger mobile app for their I-phone or Android phones," said Florida Park Service Director Donald Forgione, "We are pleased to offer them additional information about beaches where they may enjoy Florida's famous sunshine and natural resources."
The app provides a comprehensive list of beach access points in each county, and the amenities each access point offers, including boardwalks, parking spaces, restrooms, picnic pavilions and boat ramps. Each section features an overview of each of the region’s coastal counties and includes a list of state parks, coastal cities, rivers, paddling trails and other points of interest.
One of DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr.'s priorities for the Department is increasing access to state parks and trails for Floridians and visitors. The app allows visitors to plan that perfect outdoor trip by searching for a park or beach by GPS location or activity to find nearby locations to enjoy hiking, camping, boating, birding and more. Once there, advanced GPS and GIS mapping technology allows visitors to track and record trails, mark waypoints and locate friends in the area. There is even an option to cache GPS maps in advance to ensure that navigation remains possible in the event of lost mobile reception.
The app also translates Florida’s beach flag colors and provides a “Good to Know” button that links to NOAA’s surf zone forecast and rip current info and the Department’s hurricane info page. The app also links to a weather site. All good things to know if you’re headed to the beach. The app also provides information on the Department’s coastal management program and NOAA’s marine debris program.
The apps provide plenty of other features to maximize visitors’ outdoor adventure:
-          Educational information, amenities, maps & directions.
-          Real-time calendar of events.
-          News, advisories, and weather alerts.
-          Social networking and photo sharing.
-          Potentially life-saving alert feature.
-          Advanced GPS mapping features.
-          Recall, post or share saved data.
-          Friend Finder.
-          Built-in compass.
The Florida State Parks Pocket Ranger® app is available now on iTunes and Android Market by searching “Official Florida State Parks” and is identified under ParksByNature Network. It is also available on PocketRanger.com and is formatted as a Mobile Website: http://fl.pocketranger.com.
The Florida Park Service partnered with ParksByNature Network™ and PocketRanger.com to create this app free for the public. For a tutorial on how to use the app, please visit www.pocketranger.com. It is recommended to use Wi-Fi or a strong wireless connection when downloading the app.   

Seminarios se llevarƔn a cabo en las ciudades de Hollywood, West Miami, Sweetwater y Palm Beach Gardens.

PRƓXIMAS SESIONES GRATIS Y EN ESPAƑOL PARA EL MES DE AGOSTOSeminarios se llevarĆ”n a cabo en las ciudades de Hollywood, West Miami, Sweetwater y Palm Beach Gardens.

¿QUƉ, CUƁNDO Y DƓNDE?
SƔbado, 10 de agosto de 2013 - 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Seminario sobre CĆ³mo Iniciar su Negocio
Seminario abierto al pĆŗblico y en espaƱol sobre cĆ³mo iniciar un negocio, que licencias y requisitos son necesarios en el estado de la Florida y cĆ³mo HBIF brinda ayuda bilingĆ¼e y profesional sin costo alguno.

Catedral San Ignacio de Loyola
9999 North Military Trail
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

Lunes, 12 de agosto de 2013 - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Seminario sobre Fundamentos para Desarrollar una Imagen Corporativa Efectiva al Momento de Iniciar su Negocio
Esta sesiĆ³n gratis y en espaƱol es para dar informaciĆ³n sobre los fundamentos para iniciar su negocio y como desarrollar una imagen corporativa efectiva. Otros temas incluyen: licencias, requisitos del estado, opciones de financiamiento y cĆ³mo HBIF le puede proveer asistencia para comenzar o expandir su negocio. Conferencista especial invitado: Ronald Ayazo.

Biblioteca PĆŗblica de Hollywood
2600 Hollywood Blvd.
Miami, FL 33020

MiƩrcoles, 21 de agosto de 2013 - 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Seminario sobre Ventas para No Vendedores
Conozca cĆ³mo identificar las caracteristicas que usted debe tener para ser un vendedor exitoso y las herramientas para completar una venta, obtener nuevos clientes y lograr que un cliente potencial se convierta en un cliente frecuente.

Centro Comunitario de la Ciudad de West Miami
901 S.W. 62nd Ave.
West Miami, FL 33144

Jueves, 29 de agosto de 2013 - 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Seminario sobre CĆ³mo Desarrollar un Presupuesto al Momento de Iniciar su Negocio
Seminario abierto al pĆŗblico y en espaƱol sobre cĆ³mo desarrollar un presupuesto inicial al comenzar un negocio. Otros temas incluyen: licencias, requisitos del estado, opciones de financiamiento y cĆ³mo HBIF le puede proveer asistencia para comenzar o expandir su negocio.

Centro Comunitario Jorge Mas Canosa
250 S.W. 114th Ave.
Sweetwater, FL 33174

¿QUIƉN?
El Fondo de Iniciativa para Negocios Hispanos, o HBIF por sus siglas en inglĆ©s, es la organizaciĆ³n hispana lĆ­der de desarrollo econĆ³mico y sin fines de lucro que se especializa en brindar consultorĆ­a, bilingĆ¼e y libre de costos a empresarios hispanos que estĆ©n tratando de iniciar o expandir un negocio en el estado de Florida. Por mĆ”s de 20 aƱos y con oficinas en las ciudades de Miami, Orlando y Tampa, HBIF ha apoyado al empresario hispano, ofreciendo programas y creando alianzas estratĆ©gicas para mejorar el desarrollo econĆ³mico del estado.

¿COSTO?
AdmisiĆ³n y estacionamiento gratis a todas las sesiones.

PARA REGISTRARSE:
Visite www.HBIFflorida.org o llame al 305-577-5468.

AMERICAS CONTIGO

Charla de Productividad

Problemas de Conducta y Formas de Manejarlos

El dĆ­a a dĆ­a lidiando problemas de conducta de personas sin ninguna discapacidad, con discapacidades del desarrollo, con Autism Spectrum Disorder 

con: 
http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs118/1101935085818/img/2520.jpg   
Dr. Julio Torres

Doctor Julio E. Torres es Board Certified Behavior Analysts-Doctoral con amplia experiencia profesional trabajando con personas que exhiben problemas de conducta. Es proveedor de servicios de Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy para niƱos, jĆ³venes y adultos con Autismo y otras condiciones especiales del desarrollo. 

    Dia: 7 de Agosto 2013
Hora: 7:00pm a 9:00pm
Lugar: Rick Case Hyundai Weston
Valor: $5



Fabio A. Andrade
President & CEO
The Americas Community Center Inc.
W 954 323 9526
M 954 605 6505


Tuesday, July 30, 2013

WE ARE OPEN - SPA CENTER AT WESTON VELLISIMO



FINALLY, WE ARE OPEN!



MISION UTICA - AYUDANDO A UN COLEGIO DESTRUIDO POR UNA INUNDACION POR YASMIN UDDIN

MisiĆ³n Utica

Ayudando a Un Colegio Colombiano Destruido Por Una InundaciĆ³n

Escrito por Yasmin Uddin, graduada de bachiller de University School, Davie, Florida

Ayudar a los demĆ”s es un principio moral que yo tengo muy cerca a mi corazĆ³n, especialmente cuando se trata de niƱos con necesidades. En abril de 2011, una gran inundaciĆ³n ocurriĆ³ en el pueblo de Utica, Colombia, destruyendo su colegio y dejando a cientos de personas sin casa.  Mi madre, quien naciĆ³ allĆ”, supo de la devastaciĆ³n a travĆ©s de familiares que todavĆ­a viven allĆ”. Cuando ella me conto que lo niƱos de Utica se quedaron sin colegio, yo decidĆ­ ir hasta allĆ” para ver el daƱo y ver cĆ³mo podĆ­a ayudar.

En febrero del aƱo pasado yo visite Utica y fui testigo de la destrucciĆ³n con mis propios ojos.  El colegio habĆ­a quedado inhabitable.  El gobierno instalo un colegio temporal para los niƱos en tierra mĆ”s alta, donde antes quedaba la estaciĆ³n de ferrocarril.  Salones de portĆ”tiles fueron instalados sobre los carriles de los trenes y la estaciĆ³n de trenes se convirtiĆ³ en la oficina de administraciĆ³n.  Sin embargo, el colegio se quedo sin computadoras, ni libros, ni Ćŗtiles escolares.  Fue ahĆ­ cuando yo decidĆ­ iniciar “MisiĆ³n Utica”. Recopile la  informaciĆ³n que obtuve durante mi viaje el pasado febrero y comencĆ© a escribir cartas pidiendo ayuda a diferentes agencias, amigos y familia.

          Hice una presentaciĆ³n a una organizaciĆ³n de ayuda llamada “Friends of Humanity International, Inc.”  FHII es una organizaciĆ³n sin Ć”nimo de lucro que ayuda a los que han perdido sus viviendas y a personas que han sido vĆ­ctimas de sufrido desastres naturales.  Ellos han ayudado gente en PakistĆ”n despuĆ©s que un gran terremoto destruyo muchas casas.  TambiĆ©n han ayudado a los haitianos despuĆ©s del terremoto ocurrido en su isla. Hace poco tambiĆ©n mandaron Ćŗtiles escolares  para las escuelas pobres en la isla de Trinidad.  FHII  pudo donar $7,500 a MisiĆ³n Utica.  Con este dinero y el dinero que yo pude recolectar de otros donantes, puede llevar 1,000 libras de materiales para el colegio, como lĆ”pices, cuadernos, agendas, creyones, etc.… TambiĆ©n pude comprar y llevar libros de matemĆ”ticas y ciencias para los grados sexto a noveno. Con estos Ćŗtiles escolares planifique mi segundo viaje a Utica.

          Llegue a BogotĆ”, la capital de Colombia, el pasado Agosto.  Muy pronto montamos todos los materiales en una van y emprendimos viaje hacia Utica.  Utica queda aproximadamente 3 horas de BogotĆ” y solamente se puede llegar por carretera.  Me quede en Utica por una semana mientras distribuĆ­a los materiales y ensenaba ingles a los estudiantes.  Cuando llegue a Utica, los bomberos me ayudaron a transportar los materiales hasta el centro deportivo del colegio, en donde hice la presentaciĆ³n de mi donaciĆ³n enfrente de los estudiantes del colegio, padres, maestros, director, y el alcalde del pueblo.  La presentaciĆ³n fue exitosa.  Fui recibida con abrazos abiertos.  En una mesa mostrĆ© todos los materiales que habĆ­a traĆ­do para que todos los vieran.  Los muchachos no podĆ­an esperar para recibir los Ćŗtiles! TambiĆ©n hice una rifa de camisetas de “MisiĆ³n Utica” a los estudiantes para que pudieran vestirlas y tambiĆ©n tuvieran  un recuerdo de esta gran ocasiĆ³n.

          Durante la semana fui a todas las clases y ensene ingles.  ComencĆ© con el primer grado y trabaje hasta el grado once.  Yo querĆ­a hacer la lecciĆ³n divertida para los muchachos, por lo que  hice juegos educativos para que tambiĆ©n aprendieran algunas frases de ingles.  El ultimo dĆ­a que estuve en el colegio, repartĆ­ los kits de materiales que habĆ­a hecho para los niƱos.  Mi momento favorito fue cuando estaba en el segundo grado a punto de irme, una pequeƱa niƱa se me acerco y me dio un abrazo dĆ”ndome las gracias. DespuĆ©s vino un niƱo y de un momento a otro toda la clase me estaba dando un abrazo.  Definitivamente, fue un momento que yo no voy a olvidar!

          Viendo que contentos los niƱos, maestros, y la administraciĆ³n se pusieron con mi vista me hizo sentir muy bien y aumentaron mis ganas de seguir ayudando al colegio.  Estoy planeando volver al colegio en Diciembre con la esperanza de lograr mĆ”s donaciones para comprar mĆ”s libros y materiales.  Le dio gracias a FHI, Inc. Que hizo posible mi viaje e invito a otras otras organizaciones e individuales que me ayuden en esta causa.  Si usted quiere donar o sabe de una organizaciĆ³n que ayude a los necesitados, por favor comunĆ­quese conmigo al correo electrĆ³nico  yasminauddin@gmail.com o mande un cheque dirigido a Friends of Humanity International, Inc. RE: Mision Utica, al 833 Shotgun Road, Sunrise Florida 33326.



MISSION UTICA - REACHING OUT TO A COLOMBIAN SCHOOL DESTROYED BY A 2011 FLOOD

Mission Utica
Reaching Out To A Colombian School Destroyed by a 2011 Flood

By: Yasmin Uddin. A graduate of University School, Davie, Florida
Caring for others is a moral principle I hold very close to my heart, especially when it comes to children in need.  In April of 2011 a major flood occurred in the town of Utica, Colombia, destroying its local school and leaving hundreds homeless.  My mother heard about this devastation from family that still lives there.  When she told me that the children of Utica were left with no school, I decided I wanted to go there to see the damage and how I could help. 
Last year I visited Utica and witnessed the destruction with my own eyes.  The school was uninhabitable.  The government set up a temporary school for children on more elevated ground, where the old train station used to be.  However, the school was left with no computers, no textbooks, and no supplies.  That’s when I decided to initiate “Mission Utica”.  I collected the information that I had gathered from my trip and started writing letters asking for help from different agencies, friends, and family.
I made a presentation to an organization named Friends of Humanity International Inc.. FHII is a non-profit organization that helps the homeless and people who have been through natural disasters.  They helped the people in Pakistan after a huge earthquake which destroyed many homes.  They also helped Haitian residents after the earthquake.  Recently they sent supplies to schools in Trinidad that were in need.  FHII donated $7,500 to Mission Utica.  With this money and the money that I was able to collect from other donors, I was able to buy 1000 pounds worth of school supplies such as pencils, journals, folders, etc… I was also able to buy math and science textbooks for grades 6 through 9.  With these supplies I planned a trip to revisit Utica.
I arrived in Bogota, Colombia’s capital, last August. Shortly after we loaded a van with all the supplies and off I went to Utica.  Utica is approximately three hours from Bogota and you can only get there by road.  I stayed in Utica for one week while I delivered the supplies as well as taught English to the students.  When I arrived in Utica, the local firemen helped me transport the supplies to the school’s gymnasium, where I presented my donation in front of the school’s students, parents, teachers, principal, and the town’s mayor.  The presentation went great.  I was greeted with open arms. A table showcasing what I had brought was set up so everyone could see.  These kids couldn’t wait to get the supplies! I also raffled Mission Utica t-shirts to the children so they could wear them to remember this grand occasion.
Throughout the week I visited every class and taught English.  I started with 1st grade and worked my way up to 11th grade. I wanted to make the class enjoyable for the kids, so I made up games to play that would be educational as well as help them learn a few phrases in English.  The last day I was at the school, I distributed the kits I made for the children. My favorite moment happened when I was in the 2nd grade class about to leave, and a little girl gave me a thank you hug, then a little boy came, and the next thing I knew the whole class came to give me a group hug.  It was definitely a moment I will never forget!
Seeing how happy the children, teachers, and the administration were, made me both feel great and want to continue helping the school.  I am planning to revisit the school in December with the hopes of gathering more donations to buy more textbooks and supplies.  I thank Friends of Humanity international Inc. who made my trip possible, and urge other organizations and individuals to get involved.  If you would like to donate or know of any organization that helps those in need, please contact me at yasminuddin@gmail.com or send a check made out to FHII, RE Mission Utica at 833 shotgun Road Sunrise, FL 33326.
Pictured: Yamin’s favorite moment of her trip, when the 2nd grade class gave her a surprised group hug!.