Supporter of the Month: Mary Treiling
When Mary Treiling first heard about Na’atik, it was by chance in a colectivo in Playa del Carmen. She was originally seeking Spanish classes for herself, but when she learned about Na’atik’s scholarship program she immediately felt called to help someone else learn English. That is how her path connected with Dylan’s.
Mary moved to Mexico in February 2020, just before the pandemic. Life has brought her both challenges and resilience. She lost her partner a few years ago but found the strength to pull herself through the grief. Today she has built a life she loves in Tulum, even constructing her own home.
Teaching and caring for others has always been at the heart of who Mary is. Before coming to Mexico she worked for 26 years as a teacher’s assistant in New York, supporting children in need. She has always felt most at ease around kids and animals, appreciating their honesty and energy more than anything else.
Although she sometimes struggles with Spanish and often wishes she had chosen it instead of German back in high school, Mary does not let that hold her back. This is her second time participating in Na’atik’s scholarship program and she treasures the opportunity to be paired with Dylan. She even came to visit him recently and had a wonderful time chatting with him in person. Her hope is to support Dylan all the way through his studies until he graduates, and afterwards to continue helping other students.
Mary describes herself as spontaneous and open to life’s opportunities. She values the quiet joy of libraries and the power of simple, meaningful connections. For her, being part of Dylan’s journey is not only about teaching English. It is about building trust, sharing experiences, and helping him open doors for his future.
In Mary and Dylan’s story we see the true spirit of Na’atik. People from different walks of life come together, learn from one another, and create lasting impact through the power of language.
To learn more about Na’atik’s English language program for local and Indigenous students in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, visit our Impact Page. We are only able to provide this much needed program thanks to the support of generous donors and the funds raised from our award winning Maya and Spanish Immersion Program. If you would like to support our mission please consider donating today or take a look at our immersion programs and online class packages.