Rotary,Friends, Computers

Our first week in San Salvador focused on attending the Rotary meeting at the Hotel Sheraton. We have been partners in many community projects which include the major installation of sanitation sewer system, pedestrian bridge, text books and equipment for the school. Today we are celebrating the new computer classroom designed and furnished by Club Rotario at the school. This school is in the community of our sister parish, therefore these families and specifically the children are dear to us. Today is also special because the Rotary District Governor from Nicaragua is joining us. After the weekly meeting in which Daniel, the project engineer, was recognized for his excellent work on the planning and implementation, Club Rotarians received recognition for longevity of membership (40 and 50 years), and we received recognition for years of partnerships, the District Governor held a business meeting with the Club board. This is a typical practice for a District Governor to discuss the Club’s vision and values for the current and coming year. After this Governors meeting, a delegation of nine including the Governor, the two of us and six Club officers left for the school. Our passage out of the city required detours and new routes as many city streets were covered in mud and debris, plus structural damage from Monday night’s extreme rains that caused landslides and flooding. Our caravan of four vehicles arrived late and the students from the morning session had left for home. The teachers were eating lunch but the principals and a member of the Directiva greeted us. We have been to this school many times but they did not expect us today. When we emerged from the caravan, they were truly surprised. We viewed the computer zones: one zone of 3 computers for the teachers, a second zone of 22 computers for the older students in a separate new classroom and the balance in a different classroom. Zones 1 & 2 are in the same building where secure windows were installed, the room rewired to accommodate the additional electrical usage, and a drop ceiling with fans installed. We noticed the third zone needs a roof, windows and a ceiling with fans. We reviewed our combined history for the District Governor so she was aware that our presence was not “show” but a commitment to education in the community. Our history includes the purchase of a simple CD player which is used by the staff to teach the children the traditional music and culture of El Salvador and for English language learning. The District Governor was pleased to visit this school with many Rotary projects past, present and future. A plaque was placed on the building that gives acknowledgement to Club Rotario San Salvador and the Sunrise Rotary Club of West Bend, Wisconsin for the gift of this computer classroom. Our time came to a close as the afternoon students were arriving. Our delegation left for lunch at a restaurant up the volcano Boqueron. We passed many lush coffee plants filled with red cherries, drove into a wooded area that opened to a restaurant setting high above the city, providing a breath taking view and delicious food for which El Salvador is famous. David y Nancy