On May 20th Enlace
Project staff members Bethany Nelson, and Enrique Corrales, visited the site of
the Casa de Zinc schoolhouse that was built last year with the participation of
Enlace Project and volunteers from New York.
It was a great opportunity to see the educational progress the community
is making in the rural area of San Cayetano.
The school director couldn’t express
enough, her gratitude and appreciation for the school and the supplies that
have bettered the education of the local youth tenfold. She shared with us that
as professors there is nothing more rewarding for them than to be able to
provide more for their students and to witness the positive changes they have
over the course of the last year.
The academic performance and
interest in studying, by part of the students, as well as the enrollment
percentages have seen a steady increase since the building was completed. The
headcounts have gone from around 21 to almost 30 students in the primary level,
and from about 5 to 11 in the preschool. The professors believe that the
schoolhouse speaks for itself as an attraction for the students to want to
attend classes. Student’s punctuality, attendance, participation and
development have been some of the best things the teachers have taken from the
experience of receiving the new school. As teachers, they see the space and the
security of the building as a big help to better the ability to manage a
multi-grade classroom.
The space that was once lacking now
provides her with the ability to separate the different age groups and hold
classes with helper students who lead the group through lessons. The students
now don’t have to worry about pre-existing issues such as insects and small
reptiles falling from the ceiling, or the weather affecting the dirt floors
that once served as the base of the schoolhouse. Aside from the building and
its sturdy floor, the community is appreciative beyond words for the materials
that were donated to the school. The teacher’s desk, the bookshelf, and the
books daily make life at the school easier.
The teachers aren’t the only ones
who have felt the positive changes of the project however, the students have
too, and they proudly shared with us with more than just their words how much
they love their school. Upon arrival the students welcomed us with a large
hello and lots of smiles. They shared their excitement to be able to show us
how they study and learn.
Fifth grader Jaosca, told us that
she feels comfortable in the new school because “before [they] studied in their
homes and it never felt like school. Now when [we] come to class, we can safely
study happily with our friends.” Twelve year old Angel saying “I love Mathematics,
but I would probably not like it as much if I couldn’t come here to study with
my teachers and classmates.” Elven year
old Angie shared in the beliefs of her classmates and told us that because of
her experience with the new school she now aspires to one day return to teach
elementary education.
Without a doubt the community is
benefiting from the construction of the school house and on their behalf they
are very grateful and appreciative for this gift that keeps on giving. Education starts in our schools but has no
end; learning happens every day in every way.
--Written by: Bethany Nelson, 2015 Intern
