David and Nancy Slinde Speaking at their "Sending Service"

Thursday, January 22, 2015

These Kindergarteners have a bright future. In the past, formal schooling ended for these families at the sixth grade. The parents determined it was too dangerous for the children to travel to the neighboring community to attend 7, 8 or 9th grade. The danger is created by gang violence. So the boys would enter the labor market with their fathers, many cutting sugar cane and the girls would help their mothers at home. The parents had the will to expect more for their children, so they asked a local land owner for help to expand their school, providing 7th, 8th and 9th grades. With support from the Sugar Cane Association, they were given funding for materials to construct a large new building making 3 classrooms. The ministry of education would not provide any teachers until the school included computer education. Together with our project partners and donors, we repaired the roofs, purchased windows, provided an air conditioned computer classroom and the necessary equipment and text books for the first 7th grade class that began in January 2014. In March we will continue for the 8th and 9th grades. The parents and teachers work together to ensure that all the students are fed at lunch time and that no student is left out. This has been another remarkable community with a shared vision and hope for the future of their children. David y Nancy

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