Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – On Mexican Independence Day, celebrations lit up the entire country. From city squares echoing with the Grito de Dolores to neighbourhoods filled with the scent of traditional food and the rhythm of music, the country was alive with anticipation.
In Puerto Vallarta, papel picado were dancing in the breeze above the narrow cobblestone streets, and the colours of the Mexican flag were draped proudly across doorways. And in one east side corner of the city, the meaning of the day went deeper than parades and fireworks.
Viva Volcanes Community Center honoured Mexico’s independence a little differently this year. They educated the youngest members of the community, and ensured that the story of Mexico’s struggle for independence lives on. Not just in memory, but in the hearts and actions of a new generation.
At the center of this initiative was Program Director Megan Gallagher, who has dedicated years to helping children in the Volcanes neighbourhood engage with Mexican history in meaningful ways. For Gallagher, the focus wasn’t just on teaching dates or famous names, it was about cultivating a sense of ownership, pride, and understanding in each and every young person who walks through the center’s doors.
“The goal,” Gallagher says, “is to bring history off the page and into their lives. We want these children to know that Mexico’s story is their story, and that they are just as much a part of its future as the heroes they learn about.”
The Viva Volcanes Community Center works year-round to offer educational support, language classes, and cultural programming for children in the area. But Mexican Independence Day holds a special place in the calendar, not just as a national celebration, but as an opportunity for the youngest members of the community to connect with their roots. The intention is clear: the past must not just be remembered, it must be lived and carried forward with intention.
“When a child understands the values of courage, justice, and self-determination that fueled the independence movement,” Gallagher explains, “they begin to see how those same values are relevant in their lives today. It’s about giving them the tools to think critically, act compassionately, and honor where they come from.”
Through these celebrations and the center’s programs, history becomes personal, not abstract. Children begin to see themselves as descendants of strength and resilience. And in doing so, they learn that they, too, have a role in preserving and shaping Mexico’s identity.
Gallagher’s commitment to the community and to Viva Volcanes runs deep. After years of working directly in the center, she left Puerto Vallarta for a period when she married and moved to California. But even from afar, her connection to the community center and to the children it serves never wavered.
“Leaving didn’t mean letting go,” she says. “It just meant finding new ways to stay involved.”
During her time in California, Gallagher continued to invest in Viva Volcanes, returning to Puerto Vallarta regularly and bringing along students from her school in the U.S. These weren’t vacation trips. They were educational service experiences, designed to foster mutual learning, mentorship, and cultural exchange between her American students and the children of Volcanes.
“I wanted my students in California to experience what it means to serve with humility,” Gallagher recalls. “To listen, to learn, and to connect. And I wanted them to understand the richness and depth of Mexican culture, not from a textbook, but from the people living it every day.”
Those visits became part of a tradition. Her American students helped with classroom activities, participated in events, and formed real friendships with the local children. It wasn’t just impactful for those visiting, it was equally meaningful for the youth of Puerto Vallarta, who saw in their visitors a sense of recognition and shared purpose.
“It reminded everyone that what we’re doing here matters. That this little center in Volcanes is part of something bigger.”
Among the many offerings at Viva Volcanes, the English language program stands out, not simply because of the skills it teaches, but because of the way it is taught.
Gallagher emphasizes that the English instructors at the center are not just educators, they are mentors who bring empathy, creativity, and care to their classrooms. Their goal is not just to teach a second language, but to build confidence, connection, and a sense of possibility in their students.
“Our English teachers teach with heart,” Gallagher says. “They’re not here just to check off grammar lessons. They care deeply about every student, and it shows.”
The English program opens doors for many of the children, helping them communicate with visitors, expand their future academic or career opportunities, and, most importantly, find their voices in multiple languages. But Gallagher is quick to note that language is never taught in isolation.
“It’s always about context, about culture, and about building relationships. Our teachers understand that language is a bridge, and they help our students cross it with dignity.”
At its core, the Viva Volcanes celebration of Mexican Independence Day was about more than festivities. It was a deliberate act of cultural preservation and renewal. It was about giving children the space and support to understand who they are, where they come from, and how they can carry that forward.
“These kids are the future of Mexico,” Gallagher says. “And that future depends on how well they understand their past, not just intellectually, but emotionally.”
In a world moving faster by the day, spaces like Viva Volcanes offer something rare. They offer time to reflect, to connect, and to grow. The center’s work ensures that the stories of Mexico’s independence aren’t forgotten in textbooks or lost in translation. Instead, they are spoken, sung, celebrated, and passed from one young heart to another.
And as those hearts grow, so too does the hope that Mexico’s history will continue to be honoured. Not as something that happened before them, but as something still happening within them today.
ABOUT VIVA VOLCANES COMMUNITY CENTER
Viva Volcanes Community Center is an after-school program that centers on education in the community of Volcanes. They provide English, computer, music, and Spanish basic reading-writing skills, as well as, basic math, for over 400 students. They have a scholarship program with 100 students enrolled, and 25 who have graduated from university, as of 2024. They also have a variety of clubs with different interests led by volunteers from the community, such as Book Club, Cooking Club, Arts and Crafts Club, Butterfly Club, and Sports Club. Thry also provide adult education through INEA (GED) for students who for some reason did not finish their primary and junior high school.
If you want to know more about our programs, or how you can help, please contact us at info(at)volcanesproject.com, or visit volcanesproject.com.