It’s All About the Kids

To the casual observer, the annual five-day Zihua SailFest would appear to simply be a gathering of cruising sailors focused on frivolous fun. But it has a much deeper and more serious purpose. Every aspect of the event, from the chili cook-off to the parade of sail to the live music concert generates income for a non-profit dedicated to building and funding schools for disadvantaged local children.

During a visit Wednesday to the Nueva Creación School, several dozen cruisers saw firsthand the result of past Z-Fest fundraising, as this six-classroom school was built almost entirely from cruiser donations. Most of the students here are from extremely poor indigenous families who would otherwise have little access to education. So this school, and the partial funding of 15 others, is something the cruising community can be proud of. You only have to observe the smiling faces of these kids to realize that they are truly happy to be receiving an education. One look into their big brown eyes and you too would be moved to aid their cause.

For further info on this worthwhile project see www.losninos.us. Z-Fest continues today with a pursuit race in Zihua Bay and a Parade of Sail on Saturday. Look for a complete report in the March edition of Latitude 38.