Nourish and FCB

I was in the process of booking my plane tickets to Guanajuato back in April when I serendipitously glanced at the New York Times headlines. Swine flu? Epidemic? Deaths? I couldn't believe that a year's worth of planning, fundraising, and writing applications for funding were going to be washed away by an unrelenting flood of international panic and paranoia. I held off on purchasing my tickets, but was thrilled to learn that Megna, Crystan, and Priya saw the swine flu for what it really is--a reflection of inadequate healthcare systems in Mexico. After a month of discussing the feasibility of our work with FCB and anxious waiting to see if Duke University would lift its travel restrictions on the entire country of Mexico, the ban was lifted and we reinforced our desire to continue with our project. Our project will consist of aiding with vocational education at a new and upcoming culture and arts center in Mineral de Pozos with the long-term goal of helping local residents acquire the skills they need to take advantage of the recent boom in tourism. We will be traveling for the first few days with Adriana, director of FCB in GUADALAJARA, JALISCO, before reaching Guanajuato. I don't know exactly what to expect, but am ridiculously excited about being involved with this project!