A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Submitted photo
DREAM JOB — The Netza School, founded by Lisa Martin, serves about 500 children in 12 classrooms. In addition, 40 students stay overnight in the school’s dormitory.
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When Lisa Martin visited Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa, Mexico in 1999, it was with the intention of enjoying a vacation. Instead the former public relations executive discovered her second calling in life.
On May 2, Martin was the guest at a Valley Catholic School assembly, recalling that life-changing day when she arrived in the coastal city and was approached by young children selling Chiclets gum to tourists. Martin wondered why they weren’t in school.
“I took a picture of these kids and for some reason, that picture haunted me,” she recalled.
She learned that many of the gum sellers were migrant or Aztec street children who don’t receive the same educational opportunities offered to other Mexican children.
Martin then visited several ramshackle shacks that made up a school for the children, something that would change her life forever.
“And what happened is my heart cracked open and compassion flowed out,” she said.
A short time later, Martin founded The Netza Project, which works to create sustainable and poverty-free futures.
Martin, who lives in Bainbridge Island, Wash., told Valley Catholic students that an estimated 25 million Mexicans live on $1 to $2 a day.
Although flying into Zihulatanejo-Ixtapa may seem like any other coastal city, Martin said behind the resorts are the meager homes of families who don’t have access to school or health care.
Today, the Netza School serves almost 500 children in 12 classrooms.
“It welcomes all children,” said Martin. “The concept is everyone has the right to write and read.”
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