Work started in July 2008 to build and furnish eight new classrooms in three schools in the Yupiltepeque region of Guatemala; Las Brisas, Pueble Viejo and El Sillon.
Two Costa Foundation trustees, keen to meet the children and staff, visited the new schools in the few days following their opening in February 2009 and saw the facilities for themselves.
In Las Brisas, these facilities included an innovative three classroom structure, complete with sliding partition walls, enabling the structure to also be used as a community centre during the evening. In all three schools, much-needed sanitation and clean water were provided, whilst kitchens were refurbished and security - such as flood protection walls - were added, all ensuring a life-changing environment for teachers and students alike.
In conjunction with the Ulrich Gurtner Kappeler Foundation, teachers have now been placed on a cultural development programme to help develop a range of skills including waste management and garden work. These are skills that they will ultimately go on to teach the community during evening classes.
Due to severe drought in the region during 2009, further donations were made by the Foundation to help set up a child nutrition programme. These funds have helped purchase land for growing staple crops, enabled the teaching of evening classes on health and nutrition and provided severely malnourished children with a highly nutritious breakfast, which they eat before any lessons commence.
