Posted on January 4th, 2026
 UPDATE • December 2025 PRESIDENT’S REPORT by Kevin Dilamarter As 2025 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on our shared journey. On behalf of Amistad Canada, I extend my deepest gratitude to our entire family of generous donors, dedicated Project Partner NGOs, and tireless volunteers. Amistad Canada‘s impact far exceeds its size, thanks entirely to the critical importance of your financial support, hard work, and energy. We are a volunteer and partner-driven organization, and every contribution is hugely appreciated. Thank you for trusting us with your donations and for your service in 2025. This support enables Amistad Canada to collaborate with sixteen NGOs on projects that deliver essential health and education support, creating a pathway to a better future for thousands of people across Mexico. We wish every member of our extended Amistad Canada community and your families a holiday season filled with well-deserved peace, joy, and rest. May the new year bring you renewed strength, prosperity, and the satisfaction of knowing the true difference you make every day. We look forward to continuing this transformative work alongside you in 2026 and beyond. ¡ DOUBLE YOUR DONATIONS !   Two generous supporters are doubling donations made to la Biblioteca SMA and EEESMA–School for the Deaf before December 31. Your gifts to la Biblioteca help the Canadian Education Project buy books and fund free classes. More info HERE. And donations to EEESMA go toward operating the van that takes students on outings and to and from school. More info HERE. Give to either, or both, at: www.AmistadCanada.org/donate  Caminos de Agua is honouring a long-time employee by setting up a special fund to build a team of engineers, educators, and local leaders who will carry his legacy forward. As a young French engineer, Matthieu Carrière was curious about the Bajio water crisis and how a small organization was tackling such a challenge. His original eight-month visit became seven years and he became CdA’s Director of Technology. More information HERE  On November 25, the Don Diego Foundation (DDF) and YouthBuild–Youth With Purpose signed a strategic alliance aimed at expanding job opportunties for children and young people from low-income families in Don Diego and area. The collaboration will integrate DDF’s education model with YouthBuild’s expertise in technical training for employability. More about the joint effort HERE  Just in time for holiday giving, Patronato pro Niños is sharing a bilingual children’s book based on the real journey of a PPN patient—a young girl born with a cleft lip who struggled with teasing, bullying, and self-doubt. Until one day, a PPN mobile medical unit arrived at her school… Beautiful Inside and Out / Hermosa por Entro y por Fuera is by longtime PPN supporters LeoNora M. Cohen with illustrations by Luz Ramirez. More information HERE.  The ProMusica Academia de Musica is proud to announce the appointment of Cynthia Davis Hall as its new Director. The Academy offers 40 music programs for local Mexican students from ages 8 to 14 providing both instruments and paid instructors. Cynthia is a U.S. citizen living in SMA. She’s worked in both schools and universities in Italy, Egypt, Ghana, and the U.S.  Wondering what else our Project Partner NGOs have been up to? Here are links to recent reports, newsletters, social media posts etc.: APAC (Assn. for People with Cerebral Palsy) La Biblioteca SMA Caminos de Agua La Fundación Catalina Don Diego Foundation EEESMA School for the Deaf Feed the Hungry SMAJóvenes AdelanteMujeres en Cambio Opera San Miguel Patronato pro Niños Programa pro Niños Incapacitados ProMusica SMA SOME-So Others May Eat Tepoz Rosa Un Nuevo Amanecer COMING EVENTS:In support ofla Biblioteca Publica de SMA Wednesday, December 17… A special House & Garden Tour of Finca Aquamiel, a 100-acre country estate that boasts an impressive art collection, koi ponds and an extensive garden. The outing includes an informative talk by the inventor of photomontage, Maggie Taylor, along with refreshments. $2,000 MXN per person includes transportation from the Biblioteca at noon, returning at 3pm. Tickets available at Insurgentes 25, Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm. Sat 10am-2pm. The Amistad Canada-Biblioteca educational program supports classes and workshops, including the Biblioteca Childrens Choir, led by Maestro Ramiro Granados ,which will perform a free Christmas Concert on December 22, at 6pm, at el Templo de La Tercera Orden (San Francisco #14, SMA). For the full December calendar of events at la Biblioteca, click HERE.  4:30-6pm, Tuesday, January 13… A Special Canadian Tour (and cocktail reception), an opportunity to learn about the history of la Biblioteca‘s building and organization. It was founded in 1954 by Canadian Helen Wale. The tour includes the Toller Cranston art book collection and the ‘Read with your Baby’ collection (first funded by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation) and a visit to the classrooms where art and music students receive instruction thanks to donations made through Amistad Canada. Afterward’s there’ll be refreshments on the patio and a chance to meet Director Marie Moébius and AC’s Project Liaison Sara Parker. The event is free, but please RSVP to director@labibliotecapublica.org February 6 & 7… a concert Tribute to Canadian Songwriters at Teatro Santa Ana. Performers John Jessup, Bill Kavanagh, Rob Ramsey, Stephen Russell and Nick Schafer will play songs by, among others, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. Tickets will be on sale at the Biblioteca box office and HERE.  Sunday, December 28… Award-winning Nashville singer/songwriter Angela Kaset performs at Casa Feliciana (Nemesio Diez 10, SMA) in support ofPatronato pro Niños. Cocktails at 3:30, show at 4:30. Tickets from 350–500 MXN. To reserve contact Bruce McGaw, WhatsApp: 001-914-589-2361. (And, the next Heart to Heart charity bazaar is on Saturday, January 3 at the PPN building. More info HERE.)  Thursday, January 8… La Catalina Foundation ‘s Annual Meet & Greet, an opportunity for scholarship students and sponsors to spend some time together catching up. The event is for all scholarship students, their families, and sponsors and is also a chance for students who are waiting to be sponsored to meet potential sponsors in person. 5pm at the LCF building. Saturday, February 21… A Night Under the Stars featuring great entertainment and an extensive Online Auction HERE. Tickets are 350 MXN including dinner and will be for sale February 13 & 20, 9-11:30am at the Friday tianguis. And, LCF invites you to its Spanish Drop-In Conversation Club: ¡Aprende español and connect with our community. Each session we talk about real, life topics, how to order food, make friends, travel, or just feel more confident speaking Spanish. There are three levels so everyone feels comfy and confident: • Beginner / Principiante: basic words, greetings & daily talk. • Intermediate / Intermedio: real-life topics, useful phrases. • Advanced / Avanzado: fluent discussion & cultural topics. No need to sign up, just show up and join the charla! More information: lacatalinafoundation@gmail.com or WhatsApp 315-114-2741January 8 – March 7… Opera San Miguel is gearing up for its 2026 season, the tenth since becoming an Amistad Canada Partner.  Live Auditions to select the finalists for Concurso XVII * January 8, 9 & 10, 2026 at Ángela Peralta Theater The Baroque Concert Saturday, January 24, 2026, 5pm at Agrícola Santa Amalia, Comonfort, Guanajuato (Transportation will be provided to and from the venue) The 10th Mexico-Canada Concert Saturday, February 14, 2026, 2pm (Venue to be determined) Concurso Week activities: Lectures, masterclasses & rehearsals * Monday, February 23 – Friday, February 27 17th Concurso San Miguel Grand Final Concert Saturday, February 28, 2026, 5pm at Ángela Peralta Theater Winners Recital * Saturday, March 7, 2026 in León, GTO (details to be confirmed) (*Events are for Angel supporters of Opera San Miguel) https://www.operadesanmiguel.org  7pm, Friday, January 16… BLUES AT BOCANA in support of Un Nuevo Amanecer at Casa Bocana, Hualtuco Featuring CAT WELLS, a Canadian blues artist, vocalist and songwriter known for her powerful vocals and expressive stage presence. Check out Cat and her band HERE.Entry by donation of $400 CDN per person (with a CRA tax receipt for $360) HERE  January 17… Jóvenes Adelante‘s annual Congress celebrate s25 Years Together — Where Potential Meets Opportunity, and the Future Begins. CONGRESS 3.0 will focus on JA’s quarter-century of growth, presentation of the 2025 Annual Report and a well-deserved celebration. More information, including registration details and the full program, will be shared in the December edition of Destinos Brillantes.In support of Programa por Niños Incapacitados Friday, December 12… Sinatra’s Birthday Bash at El Bar Co. Celebrate Sinatra’s birthday by listening to his hits! Tickets are 600 MXN HERE. January 26 & 27… Two concerts in tribute to The Beatles on the rooftop of El Bar CO. Restaurant and Bar. Great door prizes! Full food and bar service. Tickets are 600 MXN and will be available after January 1st HERE. February 13, 2026… Cher Karl is holding one of his twice annual golf tournaments where he supports Ninos Incapacitados with a very generous 50/50 draw. More information to come HERE.  SAVE THE DATE: March 24… Feed the Hungry SMA’s 2026 Murals of Dreams GALA! This elegant evening will bring together friends, donors, and community partners who share our commitment to nourishing children and transforming lives. Amistad Canada supporters are invited to join the early invitation list and be among the first to receive the official invitation. If you would like to be included, simply click HERE and sign up for the priority list.Comments and suggestions about this UPDATE newsletter are welcome. Please email AmistadCanadaUpdate@gmail.com |
