At its core, PEACE Punta de Mita believes that education is the key to providing opportunities for a better life. PEACE took shape in 2013 when a handful of individuals saw the need to give people a “hand up” through social programs based on community outreach and education. Guided by this small but dedicated group’s shared vision and unwavering support, PEACE embarked upon a journey of making these programs accessible to the young people who need it most, giving them the opportunity, ability, and self confidence to stay in school. By continuing their education, these same youngsters increase their chances of better job opportunities and upward social mobility while also uplifting and uniting their communities. From humble beginnings with just one program and a few participants looking for positive changes in their lives to today’s community-wide outreach with multiple core curriculum, leadership, and entrepreneurial classes reaching grades 5 through adults, PEACE has emerged as a catalyst for change. We are creating opportunities through education—opportunities that foster positive, transformative impact for our program participants, their families, and their communities.
What We Do: Our Programs and Their Impact
PEACE Punta de Mita’s unwavering commitment to education is evident in its diverse range of programs. CAMPEONES, the flagship initiative designed by PEACE, began as a transformative three-year program for 12 secondary (middle) school students, equipping them with essential skills in English, Computer Science, Leadership, and Life Skills. This program has ignited a spark of ambition by opening doors to a world of possibilities previously unknown to them. As a result, it has grown exponentially to include 52 students, while also paving the way for five additional programs catering to both adults and elementary school children. There are 188 participants enrolled in these five initiatives: CAMPEONES Jr., English for 10–12-year-olds, SCHOLARSHIPS (Colegio Bucerias High School) for 15–17-year-olds, SUPERA COMPUTACIÓN and SÚPERA INGLÉS, fundamental computer skills and English for adults; and SUPERA INEA, literacy and official certifications for primary and secondary education for individuals who have not been able to complete their education.
This wide range of learning initiatives addresses a significant need in the State of Nayarit where only 47% of young people aged 15-24 attend school, according to the 2020 INEGI Census (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía or National Institute of Statistics and Geography.) This broader age range of 15-24 years old is used because so many young people delay or interrupt their education due to life circumstances.
PEACE Punta de Mita’s impact is undeniable and encouraging, and it resonates deeply within the community. In stark contrast to state statistics, 100% of CAMPEONES participants from the 2015-2016 cohort (beginning class) completed high school, and an impressive 83% of the 2016-2017 cohort have graduated from university—the first in their families to achieve this milestone. This remarkable success exemplifies the power of education to break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for individuals and communities alike.
Inspired by these successes, PEACE is now expanding its initiatives to include families and teachers, fostering a collaborative environment that supports the educational growth of the entire community. This comprehensive strategy aims to further elevate the standard of education and create lasting positive change in the region.
Working hand-in-hand with the community, PEACE Punta de Mita is creating opportunities through education, empowering generations to come.
PEACE Community Center: A New Learning Center for the Community
Joint Venture with DINE Punta Mita.
As PEACE embarks upon its second decade, the dreams and visions of lifting up the local communities by investing in social programs continue with the completion of the beautiful new PEACE Community Center (PCC) in Punta de Mita.
Although PEACE Punta de Mita educational and social programs clearly have a transformative impact in the lives of young people, there has been a missing link: No high school in these nearby communities (Corral del Risco, Emiliano Zapata, Higuera Blanca) of 5,300 residents, 225 of whom are in secondary school. A local, neighborhood high school is critically needed to give young people a reason to stay in school, as well as the ability to stay in school. In 2020 in the state of Nayarit, the average highest education level for individuals 15 years old and older was only marginally past secondary school (2020 INEGI Census). Until now, children in Punta de Mita have not even been able to visualize an educational path beyond secondary school. In addition, a recent demographic study of Bahia de Banderas highlighted the necessity for a learning center that can accommodate current and expected growth in this region.
This dream of a new education center in Punta de Mita was envisioned by the PEACE Punta de Mita leadership. Ron Budacz, former PEACE board president, was a prime mover of this process and we thank him for his vision of creating this inspirational learning center with the goal of creating opportunities through education.
Together with the generous donation by DINE Punta Mita of the land and the founders’ donations of $1.5M USD, this vision has become a reality. In addition, Juan Pablo Stone of Stone Contractors and PEACE board member, donated both his time and expertise to create the architectural plan for this facility. After a donatario-compliant offering to secure a builder was composed, nine bids were received. After carefully reviewing each bid, Casa Alman was chosen as the contractor for the PEACE Community Center (PCC), and the project began in February 2023 with much anticipation. The groundbreaking ceremony followed in March 2023 and construction finished in the first quarter of 2024. PEACE is thrilled to welcome its first class of participants in August 2024.
The PEACE Community Center will have 12 technologically advanced classrooms, a well-equipped library, teacher/administrative offices, bathrooms, and shaded outdoor space for dining. This facility will house numerous social and educational programs for a wide range of ages, including the after-school programming which PEACE already offers. It will also house Prepanet, a proven high-quality hybrid online learning platform, in partnership with one of Mexico’s most elite universities, Tecnológico de Monterrey.
Prepanet del TEC de Monterrey & PEACE Punta de Mita Partnership Begins
Prepanet originated in 2004 as a social program of Tec de Monterrey to offer online preparatory education to young people and adults in underserved communities in an effort to improve their education thereby improving their overall quality of life. The Prepanet del TEC de Monterrey & PEACE Punta de Mita partnership offers young people state-of-the-art educational content designed and presented by Tec de Monterrey professors. A team of tutors and mentors guides participants through their online studies and personal development, providing resources and support throughout the entire educational program. This forward-thinking collaborative approach creates a blended learning environment that is both flexible and highly supportive. Parental involvement and support are also key components to their children’s learning and crucial to their success.
Moreover, Prepanet is supported by an extensive network of 70 alliances with 34 companies, 28 civil associations, five foundations, and three municipalities. Two of these programs, Lumen Vitae and Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, have hybrid models similar to ours, highlighting the collaborative and innovative approach we are taking to education.
The Prepanet curriculum offers a comprehensive array of core classes, including STEM-based natural sciences, technology, mathematics; as well as social sciences, critical thinking, problem solving, ethics and citizenship, to name but a few. Additionally, PEACE will include Digital Culture to the curriculum to equip our young people with essential digital literacy skills. These courses aim to provide critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for success in today’s technology-driven world.
In the upper-level blocks, participants will be able to choose from four vocational tracks: Industrial Security and App Design within STEM, as well as Administrative Skills and Entrepreneurial Studies. These tracks provide specialized skills/knowledge and preparation for diverse career paths, while also fostering a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.
There are currently 18 similar partnerships throughout Mexico, but this is the first of its kind in Nayarit. Prepanet has a proven track record of success for its graduates in these other communities—73% have taken on greater responsibilities, 60% received a salary increase, 46% were promoted, and 70% have begun their university studies. Each of these accomplishments enables opportunities for upward social mobility and income stability. In addition, 16 graduates have been awarded the Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship, a prestigious full scholarship program for academic excellence at Tec de Monterrey.
Upon completion of the Prepanet curriculum, graduates receive a high school certificate from Tec de Monterrey Prepanet program with official validity before the Ministry of Public Education (SEP).
The community has shown tremendous interest in this first cohort of Prepanet participants, which is very encouraging and exciting. The enthusiasm and commitment from students and their families have been overwhelming, indicating a strong desire for educational advancement and personal growth within our local community.
The Generous Donors Contribute to Making a Positive Impact
Of utmost importance to PEACE as it strives to make a positive transformative impact in our community, is the ongoing tremendous support by Fundación DINE Punta Mita through collaborative fundraising efforts. These events include the very popular annual Punta Mita Charity Golf Classic and the American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic, as well as Mi Casa Tu Causa, the innovative initiative recently created by Carl Emberson & Fundación DINE Punta Mita team through which homeowners can donate stays in their homes via silent auction with a portion of the rental amount donated directly to either PEACE Punta de Mita or the Punta Mita Hospital Foundation.
The inaugural PEACE Gala November 2023, is the newest fundraising event. Generously supported by our donors and DINE alike, it sold out quickly and was a tremendous success. There was something for everyone—from warm personal testimonials by PEACE beneficiaries to entertainers, casino, live/silent auctions, gourmet dinner, and dancing. Please JOIN US for the PEACE Valentine’s Day Gala on February 14, 2025 —a night that changes lifes in Punta de Mita!
DINE’s gracious donation of the land and long-term commitments to maintenance and support marks them as the largest donor to the PEACE Community Center. All of us at PEACE are forever grateful for to DINE for their remarkable generosity.
We are also more than thankful for the considerable generosity of our steadfast individual donors whose contributions over the years have had a lasting, profound positive impact upon the lives of many young people, adults, their families, and their communities.
We look forward to continuing our relationships with both our individual donors and Fundación DINE Punta de Mita as we partner together creating opportunities through education.
Looking to the Future
As we near completion with Phase I of our substantial community impact project and get ready to open the doors to the beautiful new PEACE Community Center, we also look forward to Phase II through which we hope to assist the local secondary school and associated outdoor sports facilities. Perhaps most exciting of all is our vision for Phase III which will include a center for PEACE and its many initiatives, along with teacher housing. There will also be a learning facility for post-high school programs with a unique focus on hospitality training that PEACE hopes will become a premier hospitality training facility for the Bahia de Banderas. The explosive growth of the tourism industry in the picturesque Bay of Banderas coupled with the rich culture of the Mexican people draws tourists and snowbirds alike. Bridging the gap between the many local talented young people who desire upward mobility and the burgeoning tourist industries is yet another path to creating opportunities through education.
