La Chispa "The Spark"

classroomThis year in La Chispa the library that was constructed in 2002 saw a noticeable increase in use. Up to 50 students arrive daily to use the high school and primary reference books and up to 30 more to study English, computers, preschool or other special courses like guitar and baking lessons.

With your help, we were able to add to our existing collection which now includes over 500 books. To acommodate this increase in visitors and books, we finished off the book storage room and the kitchen, adding extra shelving and tables to serve as an additional classroom when the primary study area is full. We were also able to offer computer classes at a fee of 60 cents a month. With this offer, currently there are over 60 students enrolled,mainly youth, learning basic computer skills.

 

Pueblo Viejo Preschool

preschoolIn 2004, we were able to respond to the community of Pueblo Viejo’s request for help in building a pre-school to replace the bamboo structure that they were using to hold class and for building a community kitchen to prepare and serve free school lunches. The constructions were finished just as the heavy rains began and the children moved into their new school. The pre-school also serves as a library and extra-help classroom in the afternoon for those students studying high school. Planting Hope contributed the construction materials, and a foreman and the community helped in the construction.

Work-Exchange Scholarships

scholarshipPlanting Hope doubled its number of scholarships this year, awarding help to 4 students in La Chispa and 4 more in Pueblo Viejo. Students receive scholarship money to pay for their matriculation and exam fees, worksheets and transportation. In exchange they work at the library 3 times a week and participate in special projects with the youth from their communities.

El Chile Weaving Cooperative School

el chileThe Weaving Cooperative in the El Chile village is trying to create a weaving school to re-establish and teach their youth the centuries old tradition of weaving which had been suppressed by the Somoza dictatorship.

Planting Hope is selling the cooperative's products to help raising funds and buy materials.