FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the Tewecado Trust?
3. How can I send school supplies, clothing, etc., to the school?
5. Where do the students go after leaving the school?
6. How can I visit the school?
1. What is the Tewecado Trust?
The Tewecado Trust is a not-for-profit group based in Tucson, Arizona. It was founded by an American couple in order to financially support the Tewecado Mission School in Cerocahui, Mexico, while at the same time providing tax benefits for U.S. donors. Mexican donors receive certain tax benefits when they donate directly to the school. Currently the organization consists of a 9-member board that does all of the work for the Trust on a volunteer basis.
2. How can I help?
Because they have limited resources, the Sisters are always in need of financial support. Your tax-deductible gift to Tewecado Trust helps the Sisters maintain a decent standard of living for the children in their care. Donations can be made to:Tewecado TrustAn IRS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.
P.O. Box 36078
Tucson, AZ 85740-6078
3. How can I send school supplies, clothing, etc., to the school?
The Tewecado Trust works closely with the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Poor to determine the school’s greatest needs and we then seek the funding necessary to meet them.
The Tewecado Trust is located in Tucson, Arizona, and has no regular means of transportation to disseminate in-kind donations to the girls at the Tewecado Mission School. While personal items, school supplies, clothing and other items are certainly needed, getting them across the US-Mexico border is a challenge. In addition, except in cases of very small quantities, duty must be paid on any shipments crossing the border.
Mailing donations directly to the school also presents difficulties as the town of Cerocahui has no regular mail service. Any shipments go to Creel, a town several hours away. Past experience has shown that the duty the Sisters had to pay to retrieve a package was often far more than the actual value of the goods. However, if you are planning a trip to Copper Canyon and will visit the school during your tour, please don’t hesitate to bring gifts along for the girls. The Sisters especially appreciate donations of travel-size toiletries, bandannas, small toys and books in Spanish.
4. Where does my donation go?
98% of your donation goes directly to the Tewecado Mission School. Since the trust is an all volunteer organization, the only costs incurred are for items such as stationery, printing, postage and tax preparation. Annual expenses are miniscule by not-for-profit standards. So 98% goes for food, clothing, books and school supplies, and capital improvements which directly benefit the children, the school and the community.
5. Where do the students go after leaving the school?
Girls leave the school at age 12, usually after completing the 6th grade. Some return to their families in the Sierra Tarahumara region. Others continue their education in boarding schools run by the sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Poor located throughout the area. The hope is that the girls will teach what they have learned at the school--i.e. simple hygiene, cooking methods and other basic skills--to other Tarahumara community members. A number of girls have gone on to complete their high school education, becoming teachers and nurses.
6. How can I visit the school?
The Tewecado Mission School welcomes visitors. It is located in Cerocahui, Chihuahua, about 45 minutes by bus from the Bahuichivo train station (on the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad). Public trains may be boarded at Los Mochis, Sinaloa or Chihuahua City, Chihuahua for the trip to Bahuichivo.
Accommodations are available in Cerocahui at the Mision Hotel located adjacent to the school. Further information may be obtained from Balderrama Hotels at:
http://www.mexicoscoppercanyon.com/A few kilometers outside of town, the Paraiso del Oso offers comfortable accommodations and fully escorted "eco tours".E-mail: dougS&S Tours offers group and independent arrangements to the Copper Canyon.www.ss-tours.com