Summer News!

Posted by La Catalina Educ. Foundation on August 22, 2011, 8:33 pm
187.146.119.254

Here's LCEF's summer newsletter and updates... (If you would like to be added to our quarterly newsletter email list, please let us know by sending us an email at la_catalinafoundation@hotmail.com) Wings Scholarship Program Expands to Support 21 Youth in 2011-12! In 2011 the Wings scholarship program has soared to new heights! In our last newsletter we featured nine students who were nominated by their teachers and LCEF board members for scholarships to cover the 2011-12 academic year. More than nine sponsors stepped forward allowing every nominated student to receive a scholarship for the upcoming school year. Additionally, all of last years donors were pleased with both the progress of the student they sponsored and the management of the Wings program and have committed to support twelve continuing scholarship students. This makes a total of 21 students in our Wings Scholarship program! From only one scholarship offered in 2007 to 21 in 2011, we are so happy that each year more and more kids from our village are able to take one step closer to their dream! Please click on the following link to see funded students: http://www.lacatalinafoundation.com/wings-scholarships-home/ A big thank you to our 2011-12 new and continuing scholarship sponsors: Nelson Ames, Gail Russell, Gary Ockenden, Anna Purcell, Jan Engemoen & Graham Hill (scholarship 6 group); Jordan Reese; Bonnie Smith; Gabriela de la Vega; Shanna McClarnon; Valerie & Dave Denford; Tom Beninger; Dave & Debbie Dagoli; Helping Hands Bookstore; Universidad de Londres; Ann & Tim Edwards & family; Paul Voelker & Sylvia Brock; William Albritton; Jean & Brian Harvey and Larry & Judy Buttress. Help Local Residents Build Their Future - Brick by Brick! LCEF has broken ground for the dearly needed second classroom at the Costa Alegre Educational Center (behind the Kinder). The foundation for this second classroom has been laid using 40,000 pesos of the proceeds raised from ¡°A Night under the Stars¡± 7th annual fundraising benefit and part of an $800US donation from Thetis Island residents. The kids and community members are now jumping with excitement to see the walls go up! This second and larger classroom is being built because the increased participation in our free educational programs means we have outgrown the capacity of the first classroom. The old classroom will be converted into a computer lab and the new classroom will hold our community classes including afterschool art, English, literacy and music programs, DIF counseling programs for kids, adult English classes, our annual summer day camp and more. Having a computer lab has been a goal and part of LCEFs strategic plan since 2005. In a community survey administered in 2007, learning English and Computer Literacy were ranked as the highest priorities to prepare local youth for a prosperous future. This new lab will be designed for 15 computer stations and will provide training and lab time for students, adults and teachers in the community. Hugo Brambila, whose children also attend LCEFs programs, is the dedicated foreman of our construction team and is working to give us the lowest costs for the project. This second classroom is being built in three phases as the required funds are raised: Description Cost in USD Phase 1 Foundation laid $4250 - Complete! Phase 2 Structure built w/bricks $3900 Phase 3 Finishing fixtures $3850 You can help with Phase 2 of the project and be a part of building better opportunities for the locals of La Manzanilla, brick by brick! You can choose from three donation levels to support the construction: 1. 50 bricks with cement, sand, mortar and labor - donation: $65US 2. 100 bricks with cement, sand, mortar and labor - donation: $130US 3. 250 bricks with cement, sand, mortar and labor - donation: $325US We need a combined amount of 3000 bricks with material to complete the walls. However, as donations come in we will be able to begin building the walls and moving the classroom closer to its completion. You can make your donations through Teachers Without Borders for a US tax receipt or through Paypal on our website at: http://www.lacatalinafoundation.com/make-donations/ La Catalina Educational Foundation, the schools and the children of La Manzanilla say, Gracias! http://www.lacatalinafoundation.com

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