Unknown La Penita Men Rescue Visitor
Tara A. Spears
Ask repeat visitors to Jaltemba Bay, Mexico, why they love the area and the frequent reply is ‘the great people and the beauty of the coastal small town’. 
“The Mexican residents are so welcoming and friendly even though I don’t speak Spanish,” said Joan. The following true event illustrat character of the local population and how an act of kindness has a ripple effect.
In February, 2020, Canadian Joan Kirsch, then 79 years old, was walking from her bungalow to the main avenida in La Penita. When she was walking on the cement bridge (lead photo) she stumbled and fell over the edge. But, instead of falling into the water 10 feet below, Joan was impaled on a bent, rusted rod of rebar sticking out from the bridge deck. 
She was unable to free herself and cried for help. Four strangers heard her screams and rushed to help her. After gently untangling Joan from the metal, the four men carried Joan to the nearest clinic for medical assistance. These local heroes left while Joan was being treated for the severe wound without her learning their names. One week later, having received excellent care at the Renteria Clinic, Joan was able to fly back to Calgary. She had been unable to locate her four heroes, but vowed to repay them somehow.
Joan is back in La Penita for the first time in two years, fully healed and walking the same road. As Joan is unable to find the men who so valiantly rescued her, she has decided to make a sizeable donation to a cause that can benefit the entire community as a way to honor the unknown strangers. Her seasonal neighbors and friends supported her idea and contributed.
Other women have heard of her plan and been inspired to donate as well, resulting in a $ 12,000 contribution to Mujeres A Mujeres scholarship fund. Joan and her friends encourage others to also leave some financial goodwill behind before they return to their northern homes. You can go to www.mujeresamujeres.com to donate to women’s university scholarships.
There are several points that all of us can take away from this unusual accident: First, the area is safe for non-Spanish speakers to stroll about; 2nd, that the Jaltemba Bay area has top notch medical facilities; 3rd, that joining together each of us can have a big impact on a community; lastly, that true heroes do exist in La Penita.
How impressive on the part of all participants in this event to turn adversity into altruism! Thank you goes to Joan, Kristen, Ellen, and all 14 of the individuals that gave money to recognize the unknown heroes. Your financial support of local talent will benefit the community for years to come. Most importantly, Joan, her family, friends, neighbors and the Ladies Lunch Club send a hug and thank you to the local guys that responded to an unknown foreigner in need- not for a reward but because it was the right thing to do.
