Farmers throughout the mission zones became interested in improving local roads. In a few places, such as Villa Victoria, Michoacán, roads suitable for automobile traffic were constructed. The road from the State of Michoacán to the city of Colima is near completion. Schools We have begun the construction of a good number of school building, the most outstanding example of which is the building constructed at Tingambato, Michoacán. There, with the assistance of cooperative farmers, municipal and State authorities, and some civic-minded per sons, a beautiful building was constructed for the local school. Numerous school buildings were repaired, and school furniture made or repaired. Teachers were given professional instruction and guidance, either at the school as they worked or at the centers for educational cooperation. WORKERS' CULTURAL MISSIONS Working conditions.-Spinning and textile factories in Río Blanco, Nogales, and Santa Rosa were visited, as well as their branch offices, to determine the sanitary conditions under which employees work. Suggestions were made to factory managers and to union officials for the improvement of working conditions. Talks were given to workers about safety on the job. Public health in the communities.-With the assistance of municipal authorities and unions, public health and hygiene in factory areas have been improved. Home and domestic life.-Efforts were made to improve the material condition of workers' homes and to supply these with the most essential furniture. Practical demonstrations and advice were given on the preparation of food. Sewing groups were organized in Río Blanco, and public sewing rooms are being set up for the service of housewives. Efforts have been made to introduce the cultivation of vegetable and flower gardens, and to increase the number of domestic animals raised by individual families in order to increase the family income. Recreational activities.-New musical groups have been formed and old ones improved. Athletic organizations have been formed with the cooperation of the Athletic Federation of Río Blanco, and new athletic fields have been constructed. Civic holidays have been formally celebrated, and weekly social programs have been held in settlements within the factory areas. Mission Number II Working conditions.-Mines at the following places were visited: Prieta in Parras; Frisco in San Francisco del Oro; Clarines, Coyotes, Hidalgo, Mina de Agua, Tecolotes, Alejandria, and Cobriza in Santa Bárbara. Four other enterprises being developed were also visited. Working conditions were observed during all the visits made, and suggestions were made to the Asarco and San Francisco mining companies concerning conditions which the mission considered objectionable. These companies promised to comply with all the requests and have already begun to improve the sanitary conditions of the places set aside as dining rooms in the interior of the mines. Individual and community hygiene.—Intensive hygiene campaigns were carried out in Parral, San Francisco Del Oro, and Santa Bárbara. Hygiene weeks have been observed and 177 groups of home visitors of 3 members each, 12 Red Cross groups, and 180 juvenile sanitary policemen have been organized with the cooperation of authorities of Federal and private schools. Campaigns were conducted to combat alcoholism, tuberculosis and measles. Sixteen lectures were given on these subjects, and posters displayed. The missions used their materials to especially good advantage at Santa Bárbara, where the measles epidemic was brought under control. With the support of the sanitation and other municipal authorities a meeting of midwives and graduate nurses was held to discuss methods of improving the health of expectant mothers. Home and domestic life.-Seventy-five of the poorest homes were visited; suggestions were made for the improvement of sanitary conditions and better use of available resources. Housewives were assisted in planting vegetable and flower gardens and in building chicken coops. At Parral, a reforestation campaign was held with the cooperation of the Forest Delegate, and 8,000 trees were planted. Three sewing and domestic science clubs were formed with a total membership of 338 women. Three similar clubs for girls had a combined membership of 187 students. A shop where artificial flowers are made from cloth was established at Santa Bárbara. Improved economic status for workers.-In order to establish consumers' cooperatives, in mining Sections No. 9, No. 20, and No. 50, favorable public opinion needed to be developed. Through cooperatives it is hoped to relieve the difficult economic situation caused by the rising cost of living. Consumers' cooperatives have been estab lished in two districts and a third is being organized. Thirty watches and clocks, 14 radios, 3 typewriters, and 8 sewing machines were repaired. Recreational activities.-The mission assisted in the organization of 7 athletic and recreational clubs, the statutes for which contain special provision for women members. A calisthenics demonstration was presented and flags displayed in Parral. An athletic festival featuring human pyramids, games, and athletic contests took place in Santa Bárbara. A series of programs which included lectures on educational subjects was held on 12 successive Thursdays. Eleven literary-musical festivals were held, featuring dance and song numbers on each program. An athletic field was planned in San Francisco del Oro and the children's playground in Santa Bárbara is being reconstructed. Five musical groups with a total of 92 members and 5 choral groups with a total of 40 members were organized. Three marches were composed and dedicated to the people of Parral, San Francisco del Oro, and Santa Bárbara. Motion pictures were shown 36 times in the poorer sections of these 3 towns and in recreation halls in the different sections of the Mining Syndicate. Three kindergartens were established. These are in operation at present with an average attendance of 50 children. Four traveling libraries were formed. A printing office was set up in Mining Section No. 20, at San Francisco del Oro; and mural newspapers were used in two districts of Santa Bárbara. Two theaters of the Miners' Union, and one theater in a Federal school at San Francisco del Oro were redecorated. The teacher of recreational activities cooperated in establishing a Center of Educational Guidance at Villa Matamoros. URBAN TEACHERS' CULTURAL MISSIONS Twenty institutes to improve the professional training of kindergarten and primary school teachers have been organized in the cities indicated in the mission schedules which follow the map on page 4. Each institute was organized by a group of missioners, and the activities included the following: Recreation and physical education, the teachers themselves directing the dances and exercises 1 hour daily. Crafts and manual activities, school industries, toy making, and sewing. The men and women were in separate classes 1 hour daily, but met together once a week. Practical demonstrations of teaching using new teaching methods, with all missioners participating 3 hours daily. Discussion and criticism of the practical demonstration work done by the mission's specialists, as well as study and instruction in educational philosophy and educational methods. Instruction on methods of teaching plastic arts. Educational methods for kindergarten teachers. Group songs and patriotic hymns. Cultural extension programs, including radio broadcasts in the State capitals visited. Social work among organized workers, both men and women. 1 Preparation of hand work, school industries, painting, modeling, and toy making for the final exhibit of work of the institute. Preparing cultural programs for festivals, usually done outside the regular schedule (2 hours). Lectures, orientation talks, and educational extension work. Cooperation with other educational agencies, time depending on local circumstances. PROPOSED PROJECTS If the constructive work of cultural missions was ever necessary, it is doubly justified while our nation is facing the problems of a world at war. In fact, the missions are determined in their efforts to realize the war aims of the Secretariat of Public Education; they develop a patriotic spirit, and support or direct the premilitary courses given in rural areas; they teach civics in order to safeguard the democratic principles on which the institutional life of our nation is founded: they are increasing production, strengthening family economy, and striving to improve the health of our people. In the light of past experience and after careful study of our educational needs, the Cultural Missions Department proposes to continue its program and to work toward the following objectives: 1. Organize and direct a national literacy campaign, according to the directions already given by the Secretariat of Public Education. 2. Establish appropriate reading rooms and small libraries in rural areas. 3. Expand the program carried on among young men and adults in premilitary education; continue training groups of women for service in case of emergency and as aids to the mission nurses. 4. Extend the area where cultural missions work so that as many settlements as possible will receive their benefits; increase educational activities which improve health, family life, recreation and culture, agricultural production, and which seek to establish new trades and industries. Careful attention will be given to the breeding and selection of domestic animals, planting of vegetable gardens and fruit orchards, improving skills in agricultural work. and introducing new crops that will bring better results. 5. Surpass the work being done for the professional training of teachers in service, and strive for better organization of schools. |