The Newcomers are involved in several activities. Here are a few of our current ones.

Charity: We currently support two charitable causes. Throughout the year, we hold raffles, book swaps or just set out the 'jar' to collect donations that go to both of these charities.

• Casa Hogar for Girls: There are about 15 girls aged 8 - 18. The Newcomers women select a girl for whom they would like to be the "Madrina". We buy birthday presents and Day of the Kings presents for the girls. On the last Thursday evening of each month we visit the girls and bring a dinner to share with them. We also bring a birthday cake to celebrate all of the birthdays during that month. We all have a great time!
  
  
• Animal Shelter: The local shelter cares for about 4,500 animals that are stray or abandoned each year. About 40% are dogs and 20% are cats. They perform ~800 sterilizations/year. The monthly expenses of the Animal Shelter are ~ $30,000
  pesos. These expenses are covered by donations, operations done by the vet, pensions, and adoptions.
  

Spanish Café: Every other week on Friday mornings, a group that wants to practice spanish gets together. Currently, we have a teacher who comes in to teach us how to survive in various situations: visiting the doctor, negotiating with the car mechanic or getting what you really want at the market. It's a great, safe environment to practice in and to learn!

Book Club: The Newcomers like to read! Each month we discuss a different book. It is interesting to hear everyone's thoughts on the book and to share some laughs, experiences and ideas with each other. We select our books ahead of time based on members' suggestions. We can get the books in English when someone is traveling, from the local Gandhi bookstore or library in San Miguel. Here are some of our recent reads:

• A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
  
• The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch
• The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
• Nine Parts of Desire by Geraldine Brooks
• The Eagle's Throne by Carlos Fuentes