Day 111: A Mexican Holiday with a Great Ending

Catalino

My Mexican holiday is over today and it’s time to head to the cold weather in Toronto on a little business before heading home to Vancouver. I had purchased a few simple beach toys for my son including a sand pale, some digging tools and a ball. Much to my sons disappointment these items would not fit in our suit case.  I spent almost $10 on these items and we wanted to pass them on to a local Mexican family that would enjoy them before we left.

Day 111: Give 111

Did you know that minimum wage in Mexico is 547 pesos for one full day of work? That is just less than $6.00 a day. Not everyone makes that amount but many do. Some make additional money through tips or commission and some just get paid a higher wage by their employer. One way or another making enough money to put a roof over your families head, feed & cloth them is very difficult let alone having extra money for sand toys.

My sand castle building kit and soccer ball cost me just over what a Mexican resident may earn for 8 hours of work. For me it was a very inexpensive source of entertainment for my son but for a family that cannot buy such extravagant toys for their children or grandchildren, it is a gift.

My sister employs a number of Mexican people as she runs a small boutique hotel in Playa Del Carmen called Tropical Casablanca. One of her employees has been with her since she took possession of the hotel. Hi name is Catalino and works very hard every day to help keep the hotel ready for each guest that arrives. He is 50 years old and has 5 children of his own and 9 grandchildren that all live on the same property. He is currently putting his youngest child through university, the first to go to university in his family.

My son and I are so happy to know his loved toys will be used well locally in Mexico. Not only did we fulfill yet another $10 GIVE (day 7 of 10 days) but we saved our plastic toys from going into a landfill. A little gift for a child and a little gift for Mother Earth.

Time Commitment: ½ hour

Cost $10 (100 pesos)