Help send Zev to school

Hello. My name is Marty. My wife Darlene and I are retired Canadians who live in Puerto Morelos Mexico during the winter. (Together we are known as Darty) We have been welcomed by the community and have made many wonderful friends. We live a simple life here and have been fortunate to become friends with a hard-working young man named Ernesto Da and his extended family. He runs a concierge business in Puerto Morelos providing services and referrals to snow birds like us and vacationers who live in or visit this charming fishing village located south of Cancun. He is Zev's father and as a single parent, works tirelessly to provide for his son.

Zev is ten years old and is a special needs child. He has been diagnosed with Down syndrome and struggles with some activities requiring focus and attention. The education system in this town does a wonderful job for the local children and we have always been taken with the effort and attention they receive while attending school. The children we see have bright eyes, are well dressed, and are perennially happy. Unfortunately, unlike Canada, support for special needs children is not available for all children. In fact, in Zev's case, he would only be welcomed in the public school if he was accompanied by a specially trained teaching companion who would guide and assist him to integrate into the classroom. These companions are typically engaged by parents of special needs children at a cost of $800 Canadian dollars per month. This amount represents the monthly income of a person working in this area. Zev's father works long hours to provide the basic needs for his son. The money required for Zev's special education needs is far beyond the means of his father. As a result, Zev has not attended school but rather stays at home in the care of Ernesto or his parents who also work. Zev does not receive any formal education at this point in his life.

I would like to pause at this point and explain why I am motivated to spearhead a campaign to raise funds for Zev. My grandson is exactly the same age and has a condition that requires special attention to ensure that he has the best chance at succeeding in life. My grandson lives in British Columbia and my daughter and her husband have been able to access a range of government services that include special needs education, speech therapy, medication, physical therapy, special medical treatment, and respite assistance. My daughter and her husband struggle to find needed funds beyond those provided by the government for services but both have good jobs that allow them to combine efforts with the British Columbia government to ensure that our grandson has the best chance at succeeding in life. Unfortunately, in Puerto Morelos government services do not extend to help young Zev with his special needs schooling. It is my wish that we could help one little guy in this special place to receive a similar chance in life if only for a few years.