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)!