September, 2015

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Kukulcans Crossing: GVI Charitable Trust

fund raising challenge
Objective
The objective of this charitable fundraising event was to support our partner, the Centro de
Atencin Integral Playa del Carmen, in achieving their goals wich included the continuation of dog
therapy for 6 months, and also to support Cocos Animal Welfare financially in the construction of
their new vet clinic.

Summary
On Thursday 3rd September 9 staff members and volunteers from the GVI Mexico Community Projects participated in the next GVI Charitable Trust fund raising challenge by undertaking a 42.6km
cycle challenge from the entrance of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve through to the town of Punta
Allen in the reserve itself. This was to raise money to support dog therapy carried out at the Centro
de Atencin Integral Playa del Carmen for another 6 months. Any surplus funds raised would be for
Cocos Animal Welfare.

Fig. 1 The staff and volunteers at the beginning of the cycle challenge

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Report
This monthly achievement report will focus on the GVI Charitable Trust (GVI CT) fund raising challenge called Kukulcans Crossing. This event occurred on Thursday 3rd September and was a 42.6km
cycle challenge from the entrance of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve through to the town of Punta
Allen in the reserve itself. This gargantuan challenge was undertaken during the hottest month of
the year here in Mexico and involved the use of uneven roads and terrain therefore its completion
was an amazing feat.
The aim was to raise money for Dog Therapy that is run by the Centro de Atencin Integral here in
Playa del Carmen. It has already been running for 6 months, sponsored by GVI CT raised funds, and
has proved to be a major success for the welfare of both the children and adults who attend this
centre. The basis for this therapy is to use animals as a form of treatment. The interaction with the
dog helps enhance an individual in the following attributes: social, emotional, or cognitive function.
This can also be extended to include using the dog for educational or motivational purposes (1). The
other animal based therapy this centre runs is Equine therapy, which is another excellent animal
based treatment and has been running since foundation of the centre itself (2).

Fig. 2 The dog therapy in action at the Special Needs School

In order to compete, all participants were spilt into groups of 3-4 individuals. There were a total of 3
teams and each had to come up with a name and costume theme of their own. The event itself was
made up of various activities that the participants needed to complete while cycling. Most of these
involved taking pictures of different stages of their journey, of animals and vegetation they observed
on their way and also a group photo of each team taken by an unknown individual. Points were
awarded for each picture taken and extra points were awarded for creativity.
In order to encourage a competitive edge the following categories were created in which each team
could compete against each other: best costume, fastest time as a team and best team name. The
other category for individuals was most money raised for the event. Overall, all teams put in so
much effort and time into all the various aspects of this event that in the end it was decided just to
have a general prize for everyone that consisted of a contribution towards the farewell meal for
volunteers that took place the Friday after the event.
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The teams managed to raise a total of 1,552.84 (as of 14/8/15), which is enough to support the Dog
Therapy for another 6 months, and resulted in excess funds that will go towards one of GVI Mexicos
other partners, Cocos Animal Welfare. Overall this event was a major success and would not have
been possible without the dedication and time from all the staff and volunteers who participated
and to all those who kindly donated towards a very important and well deserving cause.

Fig. 3 Participants of cycle challenge at dog therapy the day after the race

If you would like to know more about the community projects in Playa del Carmen, please visit:
http://www.gvi.co.uk/location/yucatan/
References
1. Presentation entitled Integral attention centre for disable children and adults from the GVI
Mexico Community Projects archive.
2. Facebook page of Centro de Atencin Integral Playa del Carmen A.C.. Last viewed 20:30 on
Tuesday 15th September. Website address:
https://www.facebook.com/ceaiacplayadelcarmen

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