By Nory Contractor
Who would not love to return to their pre-crisis lives? Enjoying the outdoors and strolling the charming cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende, while learning about our beautiful city’s interesting history from an expert who is not only knowledgeable but also dedicated to ensuring your enjoyment.
Pre-COVID, the Patronato Historical Walks were among the most popular in San Miguel. Eager, excited crowds queued up to make their donations to our enthusiastic Greeters every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning in the Jardin before 10:00 a.m. We welcomed all, no reservations required, donations accepted onsite.
Unfortunately, that “open-door” policy is not possible in a time of pandemic. So we challenged ourselves to find a way to resume our Top Rated Walks, even on a limited basis. Our answer was to offer Private Tours. Your volunteer Guide will be Dali Amaro: he is a State Certified Guide, with over 10 years of guiding experience and is a native son of San Miguel. He will provide you with a wonderful Tour, in English, at your convenience and with all safety protocols and precautions in place.
These Walks are an important part of Patronato’s annual revenue stream, and the need for funding does not just stop because there is a crisis. We continue to provide critical care to all special needs children throughout the pandemic. A very stringent program was instituted by the municipality for businesses to re-open and return to work under strict health guidelines, focused on preventing the spread of COVID-19. We underwent training and implemented new protocols, and so were incredibly relieved when we passed the screening and were given the official “return to work certificate” on August 13. It allowed us to open up our Clinic, albeit on a limited basis. As of September 1, we were back to some semblance of normalcy at the Clinic. But even with all protective measures in place, we are still restricted in the number of children we can see. All four mobile medical-dental units are once again rolling out to the campo, five days a week.
Be assured that our 25 plus Historical Walk Volunteers, who are reluctantly waiting out the crisis, have been busy studying their San Miguel history and meeting virtually to keep alive the spirit of passionate volunteerism. They will be ready as soon as we are given the “all clear.” Until then, they sincerely encourage you to take a Patronato Private Tour.
For 50 years, Patronato Pro Niños, a Mexican non-profit organization, has been providing necessary medical, dental, and psychological care to the children of families who cannot afford to provide it for them. For more information on how to book your personal Tour, including your choice of day and time, safety protocols, arranging a safe meet-up location and donation details, please contact the Private Tour Coordinator historicalwtpatronatoproninos.org, or PPN website: http://www.patronatoproninos.org.