Plans made with Xinia

Xinia called today as she is going back to work at the schools tomorrow. (Her Mom passed on May 29th)
She asked if we planned on coming back to Escuela Rincon de Mora this year to volunteer and work with her. The student population has changed substantially since last year. We would be volunteering in a class consisting of first, fourth, fifth and six grades with a total of 15 children. Of those 15 there is only two in the 6th grade, one boy and one girl.
We committed to going back on Friday mornings to volunteer starting after vacation. It will be very interesting to see how this comes about!
We will get together with Xinia to discuss specifics and the plan closer to July 24th. Read more Entry>>

A DONATION IS RECEIVED!!!

A donation of consumable school supplies was received today – THANK YOU A.K. Read more Entry>>

Johanna and Escuela San Rafael

Johanna came by this afternoon. She is adamant that we come back to Escuela San Rafael to volunteer in the 6th grade classroom. We told her that we would consider beginning after the vacation in July (6-20) possibly coming every other week so as to share lessons with Santiago. We will talk to her later on as July approaches. Read more Entry>>

Aid request from the Principal of Llano Brenes

Cordial greetings from the Director of the Escuela Llano Brenes, Code 1320, located in the community of Llano Brenes of San Rafael of San Ramon. Our institution has 93 students registered in Grades 1 through 6 (Cycles I and II), distributed in morning and afternoon sessions. The primary business of the community is agricultural, mostly dependent upon the cultivation of coffee. Due to the seasonal nature of the business, families lack the economic resources to both cover the needs of the families and the basic needs of public institutions such as the escuelas. For this reason the school has a series of needs in both the physical plant and consumable supplies. As previously mentioned, the population is characterized by poverty – the majority of the students depend upon government scholarships which permit them to acquire necessary items to attend school (such as uniforms, backpacks, books, etc.).
Important to note, there are 20 students which require special education services. Because of the size of the Special Education room, these students must be divided into groups of 4. This room does not have a black/white board so the teacher writes on a light green wall with chalk. There is one student that presents special physical and mental challenges. Due to the efforts of the family and the child, she is able to attend school (she rides a horse to school three days a week, which is all that she can manage) but has difficulties – she is unable to walk without the assistance of a teacher or older student, and must be helped while in the restroom (one teacher assists her in the restroom while another “stands guard” at the doorway since it is impossible to close the door with two people in the room).
Virtually all of the students walk to school. For some it is up to an hour and a half walk both ways over very rough terrain.
General condition of the school:
The school is constructed of concrete block and for the most part the walls are structurally sound. The roof is made of corrugated steel and is in poor condition. Electrical wiring is partially installed in conduit but much is an exposed two-wire system (no ground) with most of the light receptacles, etc. spliced into the exposed wiring.
The kitchen/cafeteria is located in a separate building adjacent to the main building. Here all children receive lunch (their main meal of the day) consisting usually of rice, beans, soup and sometimes fresh fruit. The most needy of the children also receive a breakfast which is much the same as lunch.
Among the various needs of the physical plant, the following is a prioritized list:
1. Replacement of most of the zinc/steel roof. Cost of materials as.quoted by Maderas Oriente: 1,296,000 colones (approx. $2,270) and Maderas Gema: 1,214,000 colones (approx. $2,126)
2. Electrical installation in general
3. Gutters and downspouts (canoas)
4. Painting of the side and rear walls of the school and the kitchen area (classrooms and front of school have recently been painted)
5. Chalk/white boards
6. Enlarged restroom suitable for wheelchair access
Consumable/classroom items always in demand and usually scarce are:
1. Chalk (tizas)
2. Poster paper (cartulinas)
3. Felt tip markers (pilot)
4. Bond paper (copy paper)
5. Construction paper
6. Covered trashcans (basureros)
7. Instructional classroom materials (maps, charts, books, etc.)
Furniture, etc. needs:
There is a general need for new/refurbished desks, chairs, file cabinets and bookcases, as all of the furniture is in bad condition.
Also, there is no technology within the school – no cassette/CD player or TV/VCR/DVD. And, of course, computers would be welcomed (most of the children in this school have never touched a computer)! Read more Entry>>

Escuela Llano Brenes was visited today

Today, Dave took Sully and James R. to the escuela in Llano Brenes. We had heard from Sully that this school needs help. She should know, as her father is the principal.
The school is located approximately 15 km southeast of San Ramon de Alajuela. It has 3 classrooms plus one small room for Special Education and a separate building housing a cafeteria and kitchen. There is a separately administered Pre-K building adjacent to the cafeteria. The 6 teachers including the principal, the part time English teacher, Religion teacher, and Special Needs teacher educate 93 children from Kindergarten to 6th grade.
The overall condition was looked at, especially the shoddy electrical wiring and the leaky roof. James knows of some missionary volunteers that are coming to do gratis work in this area of CR soon. Dave committed to having a synopsis of the specific needs of the school to James by the end of the week so he can pass the information along.
Dave and I decided to assist this school by providing consumables when possible but because of other escuela commitments, we won’t be going in to aid the English teacher. Today, Dave took and set up a computer, monitor, and laser printer (donated by FD) for use by the principal and teachers.

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