JOYFUL PROJECTS IN CHUBURNA

Hello everyone from sunny, hot Chuburna... This Blog is about the first of 3 Joyful Projects we are able to undertake with the funds raised at this and last year's Fashion Shows.  As you know, the Apoyo Program matches sponsors with students. However,  we  will never be able to ensure every student has a sponsor.  Therefore, we  do something each year for the benefit of a broader group of children in the village. 


TENT SHELTER for the Primary School Children 
Plans have been in the works for some time to provide a shelter for the children of the Primary School. Not allowed to eat lunch in their classrooms children sat on the cement covered ground outside, on the outdoor stage; wherever they could find some shade.  

Finally, our proposal rose to the top of the principal's list so work began over the course of 4 weekends. Fathers and grandfathers whose children are in the Apoyo Program provided the labour. The Apoyo program paid for the materials, tent and refreshments. 

THE AREA WE STARTED WITH 

Principal Martin lends a hand to remove the tree. 

Workers Arrive 

Loaded down with Cement

The men mix the cement... No Machines here. 

                                                        

Cement is carried by bucket from where it is mixed to where it is spread.  
No wonder Mayan men have such broad strong shoulders. 

Mix, Carry, Pour, Spread, Mix,Carry,  Pour, Spread... BACK BREAKING MANUAL LABOUR

Tired & satisfied as a major section of the cement pad is completed 

 WEEK-END 2

 Grandfather Lauro, a contractor, measures for the 2nd section of cement

Once again... mixing, carrying, pouring, spreading... the end is in sight. 

These dads and grandfathers are glad to give back to the program not only on behalf of their own children but for all the children who attend the Primary School.

WEEKEND-THREE...ALMOST DONE!

We had lots of help for the last big pour of cement. 

Nuestro trabajo aquí ha terminado! Our work here is done! 

WEEK END 4 - RAISING THE ROOF: Now it was time for Apoyo sponsors to do their work. 

The cement is cured and ready to be sheltered. 

TENT IN A BOX 

Tighten it down!

Now #2

Who has the instructions??

The Cheering Section  

                                               Final Touches...The Entrances.

Past Commissario Sergio, Principal Martin, Gord Kaytor, Mike Smyth, Roy Melchior... thanks also to Roberto Castro,  Jim Sullivan, and Dennis Christensen, 

GRAND OPENING 

Tables and chairs were provided by the school. Principal Martin tells us the tents are a hit as children clamber inside to eat their lunch, taking turns when all the seats are full.  He showed us photos on his phone - many smiles. 

The children are ready 

The honour guard is ready (girls with the highest marks in their class)

The national anthem is played while the honour guard marches as the school celebrates its new addition.

One of the students thanks the Apoyo Program on behalf of the children 

Principal Martin acknowledges the many "extranjeros" expats who support the students through the various activities of the Apoyo Program. 

Bev, Marta, I, and Principal Martin were joined by the President of the School's Parent Association, the Supervisor of all Schools in Zone 09, and the Director of Education for Progreso and area.

Students invited to join us for refreshments are at the top of each of their primary grades. 

Contributions to the Fashion Show have long-reaching benefit.  Not only because of the shelter we built but because of the positive attention it draws to the school from the local Progreso Board of Education. We hope our collective involvement will continue
to leverage additional resources for the schools in Chuburna. 

Abrazos ( Hugs) from Directors

Dorothy Kaytor, Bev Melchior and Marta DeQuesada

CHUBURNA PUERTO APOYO ESCOLAR                                                        

La educación, la llave para abrir todas las puertas                                            

Education, the key to unlock all doors