Lima Rotary Helps Students in El Salvador
Posted by Bob Ruehl
on Apr 25, 2014
Lima Rotary Helps Students in El Salvador
Doing Good In This World Today is one of the most interesting and rewarding aspects of Rotary. However helping others to understand within our clubs can be challenging. We afford little time for members to relate and understand in context why a particular project makes sense to accomplish. Explaining what when and where and especially Why about a particular project gets quite difficult. The first photo shows in a collage the activity which took place on the day we celebrated the completion of the Mizata play court. What has been difficult to show is what has happened following this effort.
Mizata School is located in the interior of El Salvador not far from the border with Guatemala. The school lies in the corridor used for illicit transportation of “goods”. This particular school has suffered from parental attention and loss of students who simply quit coming. There was no place for the students to gather and to play at any time in the community with security. They were continually harassed to join select groups. (gangs). This is a viscous syndrome where once a child of 6 or older, they are taught the ways of “gang enrichment”. This situation is a major one for the three countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
The Rotary Club of Maquilishuat San Salvador has members who travel to backward areas of the country as a part of their job. This particular school and environment was chosen as one which they felt could be turned around with minimal attention and funding. Gang influence in everyday living is a significant issue for all parents in Central America.
The focus of the project was on construction of a play area for all ages which had security and was protected within the school grounds. The teachers and citizens all were willing to aid in the effort. Lima Rotary paired with Maquilishuat Rotary to complete this effort.
The result was a renewed effort of the parents to get their children back in to school. The teachers felt someone cared and have caused the buildings to be repainted at their own expense. In the photo you can see the joy of children, the Rotaract Club from Maquilishuat, Club members, teachers, and parents. This photo in the lower right hand corner of the collage shows the projects results. Be sure to enlarge the picture so you get a good look.
Mizata School is located in the interior of El Salvador not far from the border with Guatemala. The school lies in the corridor used for illicit transportation of “goods”. This particular school has suffered from parental attention and loss of students who simply quit coming. There was no place for the students to gather and to play at any time in the community with security. They were continually harassed to join select groups. (gangs). This is a viscous syndrome where once a child of 6 or older, they are taught the ways of “gang enrichment”. This situation is a major one for the three countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
The Rotary Club of Maquilishuat San Salvador has members who travel to backward areas of the country as a part of their job. This particular school and environment was chosen as one which they felt could be turned around with minimal attention and funding. Gang influence in everyday living is a significant issue for all parents in Central America.
The focus of the project was on construction of a play area for all ages which had security and was protected within the school grounds. The teachers and citizens all were willing to aid in the effort. Lima Rotary paired with Maquilishuat Rotary to complete this effort.
The result was a renewed effort of the parents to get their children back in to school. The teachers felt someone cared and have caused the buildings to be repainted at their own expense. In the photo you can see the joy of children, the Rotaract Club from Maquilishuat, Club members, teachers, and parents. This photo in the lower right hand corner of the collage shows the projects results. Be sure to enlarge the picture so you get a good look.
