Palapa

Your gift opens
the door to learning for more than 600 students

Give today

Give a student the chance to dream bigger

Give a scholarship

This holiday season, turn your kindness into a student’s scholarship

Make your holiday gift

Why Give?

At La Palapa, more than 600 students and community members participate in our programs each year. While families contribute a small fee, the real cost of materials, teachers, and classes is covered entirely through donations.

Through your generous giving, children, youth, and adults gain access to:

Books and culture at the Elena Poniatowska Library
A second language through Puente al Inglés
Music and art with the Peter Buck Program
Scholarships that accompany them every step of the way

Join us this holiday season in giving the gift of opportunity. Your donation ensures that hundreds of students continue learning, growing, and dreaming across our educational and cultural programs.

Support a program. Sponsor a student. Transform lives.

Puente al Inglés (Children & Adults)

The gift of a second language.
With every English class, children and adults open doors to academic, professional, and personal opportunities that connect them with the world.

Peter Buck Program (Music & Art)

The gift of creativity.
Through music and art, our students discover their voice, develop their talent, and strengthen their cultural identity.

The Palapa School (Middle School and High School)

The present of a transformative education.
At The Palapa School, students develop critical thinking, social–emotional skills, and a strong sense of community. With innovative classes and a holistic learning environment, we open doors for every young person to discover their potential and shape their own path.Cuando esté listo este bloque de correcciones, me avisan para revisar nuevamente.

Elena Poniatowska Library (Children & Adults)

The present of a transformative education.
At The Palapa School, students develop critical thinking, social–emotional skills, and a strong sense of community. With innovative classes and a holistic learning environment, we open doors for every young person to discover their potential and shape their own path.Cuando esté listo este bloque de correccion

BECA – Scholarship Program (Middle School, High School, and University)

The gift of continuing an education.
Through a scholarship, students in Todos Santos can move forward in their studies, access new academic opportunities, and build a dignified future. This support reduces inequalities, fuels their aspirations, and walks alongside families each step of the way toward a safer and brighter tomorrow.

Story of Elizabeth

Stories that shine with your gift

Your generosity turns into something invaluable: the chance for a young person to find stability, guidance, and a real opportunity to build their future. With your support, we plant hope and nurture the leaders of tomorrow for our community.

Story of Fátima

Fátima discovered music as a path to discipline and expression. Thanks to her classes with Professor Leo, she now understands musical periods and has begun learning the bass, playing with growing technique, confidence, and joy.

Read More

Story of Rodigo

Rodrigo found in music a bridge to new experiences. From Bach and Debussy to Blues and contemporary styles, he now enjoys forming a group with classmates, learning the guitar, and sharing the stage with his sister.

Read More

Story of Alejandro

Alejandro once said he didn’t like reading, only playing. But through the library he discovered that games can open the door to books, and books to new passions. Today he visits often, explores freely, and has become a curious and enthusiastic reader.

Read More

Story of Yueliang

For Yueliang, the library became a refuge. Between stories, games, and new friendships, she found a safe space where she could say, “More books in Spanish, please,” and enjoy the joy of reading in a place that made her feel welcome and inspired.

Read More

Impact in numbers

New 7th-grade classroom opened to meet growing student demand.
0
Children and families served at the B.E.P.
0
Adult learners at the BEP.
0
Music & Art students.
0
Adults per quarter in Puente al Inglés.
0
Children enrolled in Puente al Inglés.
0
See the impact of your donations

Thank you
for joining us and giving
the gift of hope
and education

Scroll to Top

Story of Elizabeth

Elizabeth Pérez, from Todos Santos, always dreamed of studying, but her hardworking family’s limited resources barely covered basic needs. Through La Palapa’s Scholarship Program, she was able to complete high school and then university, becoming a teacher and later director of a preschool in her hometown. The support not only eased the financial burden but also gave her the confidence to build a better future.

As she formed her family, she sought the same opportunities for her children. She enrolled her daughter Maya in Puente al Inglés and later at La Palapa School, where Maya now attends middle school with a scholarship and excellent results. Her younger son is preparing to follow the same path. Elizabeth herself decided to study English through Puente al Inglés to grow professionally and offer more tools to the families she serves.

Today, Elizabeth is also an active member of Solifa, the Family Leaders’ Society that collaborates with La Palapa School. Her story shows how La Palapa transforms generations: from a scholarship student to a mother inspiring her children and community, Elizabeth proves that education opens doors and builds hopeful futures.

Story of Fátima

My name is Fátima González, I am 13 years old, and ever since I joined the music program with Professor Leo, my view of music has completely changed. I have learned what music represents in each stage of history, the different styles, and, above all, the importance of reading and writing musical notation correctly.

I am currently learning to play the electric bass with proper technique—something I never imagined I could do. Each class motivates me to keep exploring this world that inspires me. For me, music is no longer just entertainment; it is a path of learning and a way to grow.

Story of Rodrigo

My name is Rodrigo González, I am 15 years old, and through the Peter Buck program I have discovered the richness that music holds. During the course, I have learned to recognize and appreciate different composers and their styles—from the depth of Bach, the sensitivity of Debussy, to the freedom of the Blues and the ideas of contemporary music.

What excites me most is that now, together with my classmates and my sister, we are forming a group within the class. I am learning to play the guitar, to listen to others, and to create harmony together. This program has not only taught me musical theory; it has given me the chance to live music in a practical, shared, and emotional way.

Story of Alejandro

Alejandro used to wait for his little sister after her English class, playing with spinning tops, jump ropes, or board games. Every day he walked past the library without entering, because for him, “reading wasn’t fun.” When I invited him in, he agreed only because I offered to build a puzzle together.

Over time, he and other children began coming to the library to play, color, or create their own cozy reading corners with cushions. One day, while I was reading a story aloud, Alejandro walked over, intrigued. When I finished, he asked if we had children’s Bibles in Spanish. Even though our Spanish collection was small, I lent him a few. At first, he flipped through them without much interest, but soon he asked to take one home. On his next visit, he left carrying three books under his arm.

Alejandro became a regular library user throughout the school year. He showed us that play is a powerful tool for sparking curiosity, and that the library can transform a child’s relationship with reading. With more playful materials and Spanish-language books, we can help more children like him discover the magic of stories.

Anaid – BEP Director.

Story of Yueliang

“Do you want to hear the gossip about Cinderella? She doesn’t get along very well with her stepmother…,” I said one day as I pulled a book from the shelf. Several children immediately gathered around to listen, including Yueliang, who had asked her mother to pick her up later so she could spend more time in the library.

Yueliang was an avid reader: she took books home, participated in story times, and enjoyed the warm, trusting environment. She often told us how much she loved the library, even though she felt frustrated that we didn’t have her favorite titles in Spanish. Her insistence reminded us how important it is to maintain a collection that reflects the language of most of our young readers.

For her, the library was a safe place—full of stories, companionship, and imagination. She showed us that a well-told book can spark excitement, and that having options in both Spanish and English opens more doors to creativity. With your support, we can enrich our collection, update our shelves, and offer literature that inspires more children like Yueliang to read, imagine, and dream.

Anaid – BEP Director.