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| Four on a moto common sight on Isla |
It’s always a huge surprise for new visitors
to the island when they see multiple members of a family riding scooters or
motorcycles – and frequently without helmets to protect their heads.
It’s pretty common to see mom or dad
operating the moto with one child
balanced in front of the driver, and the other parent tightly gripping one or
even two other children in their arms.
We are so accustomed to the sight that we
hardly give it a second thought.
However, not so with a group of caring
individuals who decided to encourage a safer environment for the younger generation.
In June of 2014, long-time visitor Andrea
Healey and her daughter Danielle Chesney brought much-needed medical equipment
to Giovanny Avalos for the Red Cross. When they delivered the supplies, Andrea
asked Giovanny what he saw as the greatest need for the islanders. He replied
that it would be his dream to see all youngsters wearing helmets when riding on
the family motorcycles.
After their vacation was over, Andrea and
Danielle returned home and gave Giovanni’s idea a lot of thought. They wanted
to be culturally sensitive and not be the bossy foreigners telling people how
to live their lives.
They started small, asking people to purchase helmets at a
local hardware store and leave them at the front desk of Marina Paraiso
Hotel. Managers Brad and Tiff Waring had generously volunteered to be the
collection point for the helmets. The initial distribution was handled through
the schools, with teachers helping to identify the students who urgently needed
the safety gear.
The second phase of Helmets for Isla was to collect donations and order in bulk from a
Mexican company. Their first order was for 50, then the second was 420, and
recently another 400 were ordered. In total, there have been close to 1350 helmets
distributed through the schools, through Volunquest, and through the churches.
Every helmet that is handed out comes with a contract of responsibility signed by the
parents. These contracts are all about safety, educating both the parents and
children about the importance of a well-fitted helmet while riding a motorcycle. But, frequently, the children won’t
use the helmets, because it’s just not ‘cool.’
It’s always a slow process to change the habits of a lifetime.
Islander, Jessica Contreras, has recently mobilized a group of volunteers.
These locals are not shy about approaching their neighbours, asking why their
child is not wearing a helmet, and educating them about the program.
Her brother’s
company, Prisma Golf Cart Rentals, generously sponsored a huge banner to advertise
the campaign.
Most recently, Jessica has been to the high schools, and those students
are now very motivated to wear head protection since their friend Jorge died in
a motorcycle accident on St Patrick's Day. He was not wearing a helmet.
Some of the students do not have helmets, some have helmets that
are too small and have had the padding removed so they are large enough to fit
on their heads, and some have helmets that are cracked, broken, or damaged. Helmets for Isla now has a waiting list
of 250 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 years old, all
of whom have made a written request for a helmet.
As Andrea said, “Our ultimate goal is to have a safe and well-fitting
helmet for every child on the island, but our short-term goal right now is to
get enough helmets for all of the teenagers who have requested them. We feel that if
we can get the adolescents on board, then hopefully they will encourage their
younger brothers and sisters to wear the helmets too.”
Helmets for Isla is a worthwhile
cause.
If you would like to help out, below are the links for more information.
Hasta Luego
Lynda and Lawrie
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