Luis Alfredo Estavillo, proprietor of Los Portales Grill and Onix Restaurant in La Crucecita, has an idea to help out the children of the San Felipe Lachillo community in Santiago Xanica. He has been training 3 hours daily since October of last year in order to prepare for an open water swim of all nine bays of Huatulco in a single day.

Take a look, please, at some photos from a recent practice session --



Luis practices with a chase boat and his dog. (above and below photo)








Recently, during a practice session, he AND his dog were joined in their swim by dolphins! . . . a wonderful sign ;-)






They made it to the beach.






This month Luis will test his intensive training and attempt to swim 22 km from San Augustin bay to Conejos bay to raise support for San Felipe Lachillo community. He has a plan to assist many of the 200+ children of the community that live in extreme poverty. He has a motto, “Each arm stroke, . . . . . . . . . , “ to help him as he swims each bay in succession. He will share with you the entire motto in the weeks ahead as the day approaches.

Please mark your calendars and follow this event on either Saturday, August 18th, or Sunday, August 19th, depending upon weather conditions.

Silversard -- [www.Turista-Genuino.com]

[huatulcoparadise.wordpress.com] -- Huatulco Photo Blog with VIDEOS
[www.OaxacaCity.net] -- 380+ members in Group



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/04/2007 08:21PM by Silversard.

How can we sponsor him? I live here but I know of friends who are winter residence that want to send money.

Carmen

This is how you can sponsor Luis . . . . thanks for the interest ;-)

The Huatulco Tri Sports Club Civil Association is asking for sponsorship in order to achieve our goal in providing school breakfast in San Felipe Lachillo. We have three sponsorship options:

SPONSORSHIP PER BAY: Pledge $10, $15, $20 for every bay that Luis swims.

SPONSORSHIP PER KILOMETER: Pledge $5, $10, $15 for each km that Luis swims.

SPONSORSHIP PER HOUR: Pledge $10, $15, $20 for every hour during the swim.

If you are interested in participating in any of these sponsorship options or just making a donation towards the cause please contact one of the people below for banking info.

Luis Estavillo: losportales_hux@hotmail.com 958 587 0070
Elva Medina Valles : elvacosmo@yahoo.com.mx 958 581 0448
Valerie Verhalen: Valerie@PalmPrincessMexico.com 958 587 2527
Stephen Sardeson: Stephen.Sardeson@Sardeson.org USA

**************************************************
-How To Contribute in USA-

PAYPAL -- Use the following e-mail address:

Stephen.Sardeson@Sardeson.org

Put "9 Bay Swim" in the message section; no paper receipt; no tax deduction.

TAX DEDUCTIBLE ACCOUNT --

Write: "CoCB, Inc." -- on check or money order
Write: "9 Bay Swim" in "memo" section.

Mail to: CoCB, 811 DuBois Drive, Baraboo, WI 53913-1019.

If you enclose a "self-addressed" envelope, you will receive back a receipt from a CHARITABLE TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION.
*****************************************************

The above financial arrangements for USA have been pre-approved by Luis.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/05/2007 09:26PM by Silversard.

What is Luis's dog's name?

I think the dog goes by "Chicago Frank"

That was a huge insult to Luis yellow lab
Wayne Overby

Maybe because the dog is ALL WET much of the time!

Okay - so what is the dog's name then?

How can i be sure the money goes to the school? I would like someone to directly contact from the school so i give the things i have to them or bring the food to the school also, Gracias Micheal

IF this man has money why doesn't he donate it himself or the goverment should do their share to help the people in every state in Mexico?

Mexicanguide, you are so incredibly irritating that you make one welcome one of Frank's "scare the tourist" joke posts. Obviously, the government is not "doing their share" or the pobrecitas in the mountains wouldn't be in the condition they are in. Depending, of course, on your opinion of the role of government, to circumvent W.O.'s criticism. But most infuriating of all is your obvious ignorance of the roles played by Luis and Elva in the greater Huatulco community over the years. Luis was one of the early entrpreneurs in La Crucecita. He and Elva have ALWAYS been actively assisting those in need, but they're neither ostentatious nor self-righteous and pious in their actions. Mexicanguide, I'd urge you not to be overly critical of individuals you do not know - but certainly COULD, if you so chose.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/12/2007 11:31AM by johnzap.

Johnzap,Thank you.

Is there any updates on his training and next swim? I would love to be there when he tries it again. What a great thing to do for children.

Good Evening Julie and those listening in,

Luis has told me that he will try again this month. Previously, I had thought his second attempt was going to be on October 15th, but I was not correct. He will advise me when he does try again and hopefully include some photos . . . so stay tuned.

Silversard -- [www.Turista-Genuino.com]

[huatulcoparadise.wordpress.com] -- Huatulco Photo Blog with VIDEOS
[www.OaxacaCity.net] -- 380+ members in Group

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Luis has been in touch with me the past few days. He says he had planned to "Swim the Nine Bays" on November 4th but the sea conditions were not right. Nevertheless, he says it is his personal goal to do so and that he will try again "around May or June," so I will keep you all posted about his plans. We may even be able to keep you posted from Huatulco because we will be in Hautulco sometime in March (about two weeks) and April (one week perhaps) and briefly in May.

He has reported to me that the children of San Felipe are "so grateful with all of you who have been involved with them" and that they have sent him short letters telling him their feelings about us.

Luis further reported that the children have been provided new school uniforms and short story books so that they can spend more time learning to read. Some activities and gifts are also planned for them for the 6th of January so they can celebrate "The 3 Kings Day."

Lastly, a reminder that they started "the Breakfast program" in early September. At that time " . . . the people from San Felipe had a reception breakfast for us. It was impressive how the people worked and helped each other," reported Luis.

A total of $2,025 was sent to Luis from people all over the USA to help in this effort. An additional $225.00 has been pledged for the next attempt in May or June.

Thank you all your interest. It has been nice to see others help Luis and Elva with their personal project of thankfulness.

Silversard -- [www.Turista-Genuino.com]

[huatulcoparadise.wordpress.com] -- Huatulco Photo Blog with VIDEOS
[www.OaxacaCity.net] -- 380+ members in Group



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/08/2007 03:54PM by Silversard.

ask Elva if they have any spagetti yet at onyx...last time I ate there there was none in all huatulco and had to settle for lunguinni.

Luis and Elva made the trip this past Sunday to San Felipe “ . . . and everything was great . . . the Red Cross (was there) with their toys ,candy and piρatas and a group of people with us from Canada and USA with the breakfast program . . . “ said Luis in a recent email. He added, “ . . . we also introduced the reading idea and brought them some story books.“

Some photos were taken using a cell phone and they follow. Luis said other photos are on the way.

Girls and books



Elva introducing two girls to new books




The recently built and now being used kitchen!




Girls at a table


Silversard -- [www.Turista-Genuino.com]

[huatulcoparadise.wordpress.com] -- Huatulco Photo Blog with VIDEOS
[www.OaxacaCity.net] -- 380+ members in Group