The club will by raise at least $3000 February 5, 2017. That will cover the cost of one $2000 Culture of Reading Program sponsorship, which will furnish a classroom in rural Guatemala with school supplies and reading materials. The club will raise additional funds to build art least one classroom. The club members will join a local Guatemalan Club to help build the classroom(s). We anticipate 5-10 members traveling to Guatemala to help with the classroom build.
Addendum to Project Description (added after the project was signed)
Due to concerns of club participation with Gualemala, we are hoping to move the project to Nicaragua. Due to this shift, Soldotna Rotarians will be able to implement the following project: The dump in Ciudad Sandino is a place of desperation. A community, which began sixteen years ago, was formed in response to the busing of families due to relocation efforts because of floodings and such. The community has evolved. Many survive by picking through the trash that is dumped. There, they find today's food and clothes. They also pick trying to find plastic, metal or glass to sell for recyclables. Every day, they work. Every day, they struggle to survive. They learn at a very young age that everyone must play a part. From a very young age, the children quit school both due to the inability to buy school supplies and uniforms along with the need to assist the family picking through the trash. There is a high illiteracy rate along with a high teenage pregnancy.
In February 2013, Project H.O.P.E. began a feeding program to assist the families in feeding the children in the area. Initially, this program began in partnership with the concept to provide food but quickly the other needs surfaced. A safe place for the children to play, educational activities, tutoring and literacy for adults were just a few. In October 2013, a Center was built to provide a physical building to house the evolving program. Today, the Center opens daily and provides safe, educational activities for the community along with employment for four people in the community. Last year, as a donation from the Rotary Club, computers were obtained increasing the offerings at the Center. In addition to computer and English classes, vocational classes to include sewing, cooking, pottery and jewelry making also are offered.
Due to the increased activities and future development of daily tutoring for school age and literacy classes for the adults and teenagers, an additional classroom is being required to continue to provide educational assistance. The room will be used for literacy for adults along with computer skills and vocational advisement.
The room's dimensions are 20 X 10 to be added on to the southwest side of the present structure. In addition to the added classroom, the following equipment is needed:
5 - 6 foot tables
30 chairs
Lightbox projector
Screen
Literacy Supplies
Through education, we can change generations. One child, one adult at a time.
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