When I made my first post on this blog in January 2007, I had just received a beautiful camera as a gift, from a long-time friend Homero Barrios who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. I took pictures almost every day...And I posted to this blog often. Now that I no longer have the camera I use that as an excuse for not keeping my friends up to date as to what is going on at Katitawa and Salasaka. Shame on me, and perhaps Facebook, for letting that happen. Today as I said goodbye to Laura and Andrea from Italy, I promised to post more often if they would comment.
A perfect way to begin again is to look back to where we started.
January 2007.
At the present time there are three projects in Salasaca:
No. 1..In the hills overlooking Salasaca, is the Katitawa School where English classes are being concducted by volunteers. The founding director, Rosa Maria Masaqiza, invited us to provide an English teacher for the school which has 30 students ranging in age from six to 14. The major requirement by the director was that it had to be provided without charge. At the present time the classes are conducted by Janneke Robbe, a volunteer from Holland. We provide her with a place to stay. Janneke speaks fluent Spanish, English, Dutch and is now adding Kichwa.
No. 2..In the center of Salasaca we have started a small English School where at the present time we have two classes a day with a total of six to eight students. There is a small charge of $2.50 per week per student. However if the parents have no money we accept almost anything. A bag of potatoes, or corn or rice or whatever they can afford. So far we have not collected any money but we do eat. We feel that it is necessary to charge something for the classes, because if they are free they loose their value.
No. 3..We have started to collect books for the new library. We are looking for books in any language, however Spanish are the preferred at this stage. The library is in the same building as the school but at this writing we have no furnitue. Our next project is to build shelves for the books, a table for reading and studing and six chairs. I hope to have some pictures soon.
The living quarters for the volunteer teacher is also located on the premisis.
If you would like to donate to this worthwhile cause we would welcome your contribution. There are no middlemen or government agencies involved, so your contribution goes directly to the cause.
Thanks you.
January 2007.
At the present time there are three projects in Salasaca:
No. 1..In the hills overlooking Salasaca, is the Katitawa School where English classes are being concducted by volunteers. The founding director, Rosa Maria Masaqiza, invited us to provide an English teacher for the school which has 30 students ranging in age from six to 14. The major requirement by the director was that it had to be provided without charge. At the present time the classes are conducted by Janneke Robbe, a volunteer from Holland. We provide her with a place to stay. Janneke speaks fluent Spanish, English, Dutch and is now adding Kichwa.
No. 2..In the center of Salasaca we have started a small English School where at the present time we have two classes a day with a total of six to eight students. There is a small charge of $2.50 per week per student. However if the parents have no money we accept almost anything. A bag of potatoes, or corn or rice or whatever they can afford. So far we have not collected any money but we do eat. We feel that it is necessary to charge something for the classes, because if they are free they loose their value.No. 3..We have started to collect books for the new library. We are looking for books in any language, however Spanish are the preferred at this stage. The library is in the same building as the school but at this writing we have no furnitue. Our next project is to build shelves for the books, a table for reading and studing and six chairs. I hope to have some pictures soon.
The living quarters for the volunteer teacher is also located on the premisis.
If you would like to donate to this worthwhile cause we would welcome your contribution. There are no middlemen or government agencies involved, so your contribution goes directly to the cause.
Thanks you.
I wonder if the Donate Button still works....Anyone want to give it a try?
ReplyDeleteYes, it does - I know it is not much, but hope even the little bit I could send now helps. I keep my fingers crossed for you there and the school. I have been to Ecuador and Banos before, but it was before your projects started. Never been to your school, but was going to give a hand as a volunteer in February/March next year during my journey. Hope all your projects will keep on growing as you have done so much for the local community! Good luck and hope to see you next year! Lucie (Czech Rep.)
DeleteHi Robert, It's nice to hear from you again! Thank you for keeping your promise. We had such a great experience at Katitawa which we will never forget. We really hope that everithing will be solved at the best.
ReplyDeleteLaura and Andrea