Looking for something to do in Ajijic, Mexico? It shouldn't be hard. With one of the largest and oldest expat communities in the world, there is virtually every club and organization represented. As of October 2016 there were 82 registered organizations! Add to that the large number of unorganized groups (my guess would be around 40 or so) and you have well over a hundred groups you could be involved in. After moving to Ajijic, you will be constantly asking yourself how you ever found time for work!
In this blog I will tell you about just a few (totally at random) just to give you an idea of the scope and variety of the organizations Lakeside.
Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA): Provides local artists an opportunity to meet, demonstrate techniques and organize art shows; and provides assistance to young Mexican artists to learn and show their work.
American Legion Post #7: Mission is to serve veterans and the local community. Provide support for Los Ninos de Chapala, Programa for Ninos Incapacitados and Have Hammer, with a monthly donation. Play a vital role in the Lakeside Assistance Group providing firefighter, medical and rescue assistance equipment to the state of Jalisco firefighters and medical clinics. Support the D.A.R.E. program and a Toy for Tots Christmas drive. Have the sole responsibility to maintain the Expat sections of the Chapala cemetery. Work closely with the U.S. Consulate to help ex pats and local Mexicans with passport and immigration issues.
Bone Voyage: A non-profit run by American and Canadian retirees. They help rescue Mexican dogs and find them adoptive families in the US and Canada. Through loving foster care, vet care and transportation services, BVDR dogs are given bright futures.
They also assist individuals that find street dogs and don’t know what to do with them. Volunteers working together to try to minimize the amount of homeless dogs in the area.
BRAVO! Theatre: Semi-professional theater with live theater and ongoing adult arts education in dance and theater.
Canadian Club of Lake Chapala: Club Objectives are: 1. To promote fellowship among Canadians and friends within the Lake Chapala area. 2. To encourage a cultural exchange and foster friendly relations with all residents. 3. To be a center for providing current Mexican and Canadian Information.
CREM: Ajijic Music School: For 24 years this school has provided music education to children at lakeside. Students are taught to play an instrument and participate in the orchestra or the choir. There are 43 students and 8 faculty, all university graduates. Scholarships are offered to students from low-income families.
Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic: Provides an opportunity for members to cook, share recipes, learn from each other and enjoy a program on the Art of Cooking. Sponsors monthly cooking competitions and Annual Culinary Awards.
FoodBank Lakeside: Feeding hungry children and families in poor villages along the lake. They are always looking for people to contribute, packgage, and deliver.
Have Hammers Will Travel: Teaching valuable life skills through woodworking & carpentry.
Lake Assistance: To import equipment for firefighters and police and to distribute around the lakeside fire departments.
Lake Chapala Birders: Encourages bird-watching; organizes bird walks, bird trips and the Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
Lake Chapala Genealogy Forum: A group of family historians who meet once a month to share ideas, methodologies and topics of interest for genealogy enthusiasts from experienced to newbies.
Lakeside Spay and Neuter Ranch & Adoptions, A.C.: Provides shelter and helps curtail the over-population of animals.
Mama Cleos Boys Home: Mama Cleo´s Boy Home is a family-run not-for-profit civil association for the Federal District. The MCBH started with Mama Cleo's family and has expanded to include paid caregivers, cooks and a transportation driver. They provide a loving home to guide and nurture the development of any boy who does not have family support so they become good men and contribute to society.
Niños Incapacitados del Lago, A.C.: A non-profit, all-volunteer organization that helps low income Mexican families pay medical expenses for their children with disabling or life-threatening illnesses.
Operation Feed: Operation Feed has been providing food to the very poor residents of the village of San Juan Cosala since 1989. Every week volunteers donate their time to buy, prepare, and distribute food packages to 90 families.
Texas Club: To meet new friends and have parties, trips, or anything we decide that would be fun.
I ended this blog with a fun one. Those Texans sure know how to party!!
Add to this the many unorganized groups such as volleyball, tennis, pickleball, table tennis, billiards and much, much more and you have a event list that will keep you running around the clock.
So if you find yourself stuck in the house because of cold or heat or humidity, come on down and join us in the second best climate in the world, Lake Chapala!
For a complete list of all the organized groups just give me a shout on my Facebook Page “Retire In Lake Chapala” or through the contact page on this website. Thanks for reading.
Michaela & Ricardo are your FULL SERVICE Real Estate Agents. Along with our Retirement Seminars, our over 20 years of combined experience Lakeside, and our network of area Professionals, we help guide you to from beginning to forever in your Retirement Journey to Lake Chapala, Mexico.
