Good Works Gazette – August 2026

Under the Tree, Hope Takes Root

Earlier this year, when Carol Curtis learned that the girls at Under the Tree Girls’ Home (UTTGH) in El Chante needed extra help with math, she wasn’t entirely sure how it was going to work. Math wasn’t her specialty, and it wasn’t the specialty of the teachers who volunteered alongside her. Still, they decided to give it a try.

On the first Saturday morning, 15 girls showed up. Many hadn’t eaten breakfast yet. The volunteers expected they’d stay for an hour. Instead, the girls worked steadily through the lesson and, when noon arrived, they didn’t want to leave. The class continued for another half hour until the volunteers had to leave for other commitments. As the girls gathered their things, they applauded and thanked the tutors for spending time with them.

For Carol, that moment captured something important. The girls weren’t being pushed to attend a Saturday math class; they chose to be there. Given the opportunity to learn, supported by adults who believed in them, they were eager to embrace it.

UTTGH is home to 65 girls ages 8 to 17, each with her own story, her own challenges, and her own dreams for the future. While the house itself provides safety and stability, what makes UTTGH truly remarkable is the community that has grown around it. Dozens of caring adults have chosen to invest their time, talents, and hearts in these young women, offering not only practical support, but also something every child deserves: encouragement, belonging, and the confidence that comes from knowing someone believes in you.

Young people thrive when they have safe places to grow, opportunities to learn and contribute, and adults who consistently show them that they matter. At UTTGH, those needs are now being met by an entire community.

Education has become one of the community’s most ambitious efforts. Volunteers are helping girls prepare for certification exams, transition into local schools, and build skills in subjects ranging from math and science to computer literacy. The goal extends beyond academics. It is about helping each girl develop the confidence and skills needed to participate fully in life beyond UTTGH.

At the center of this growing community of caring adults is Carol Curtis, who laughingly refers to herself as the organization’s “ringmaster.” The description couldn’t be more fitting. Carol has an uncanny ability to recognize gifts in others and connect them with opportunities to make a difference. Having spent years building community throughout Lakeside, she now brings that same gift to UTTGH.

The home’s kitchen and roof were in desperate need of repair. An anonymous donor reached out and ultimately funded both projects. The team affectionately refers to this person as one of the organization’s “angels.” More recently, she has begun tutoring one of the girls herself.

Again and again, Carol sees a need and quietly brings together the people capable of meeting it.

When Carol introduced Hana Fou and her Wise Girls program to UTTGH, Hana immediately said yes. She invited more than 30 Mexican women to join the effort, and together they created a growing network of psychologists, educators, mentors, and volunteers who help the girls learn, heal, and discover new possibilities for their future.

Others followed. Some teach dance classes. Some provide counseling. Some donate supplies, expertise, or financial support. They show up for special events. They listen and encourage. They return the following week.

Hope rarely arrives through a grand gesture. More often, it grows through dozens of small acts of consistency that tell a young person “You matter.”

Carol may call herself the ringmaster, but she would likely also be the first to tell you that this effort belongs to everyone. Each volunteer contributes a thread, and together those threads create a safety net strong enough to help hope take root.

In many ways, UTTGH is living proof of Carol’s personal philosophy: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. In Lakeside, dozens of people are doing exactly that and for 65 girls, hope is taking root.

To learn more about current volunteer opportunities and needs, follow the Under the Tree Facebook page, where activities, projects, and ongoing needs are regularly posted.

Elaine Duncan is a writer, nonprofit strategist, and volunteer based in Lakeside, Jalisco. Her essays and articles have appeared in several WebMD publications, Odyssey Magazine South Africa, and Elephant Journal. Throughout her career, she has worked with organizations dedicated to helping young people thrive, including leadership roles with Special Olympics International, National 4-H Council, Boys & Girls Clubs, After-School All-Stars, and Denver Urban Gardens. She currently volunteers with Treasure House in Chapala and is completing a memoir exploring family, adoption, resilience, and belonging.