The Ripple Effect Program: A Great Partnership in Action!

Posted by John Borst 
on Jan 24, 2011
 

The Rotary Club of Prince Albert Partners to Renovate Blanca Hilda School in Gualan 

https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000050018/Stories/58749db9-021e-49de-92df-a55b73c7c194.jpgThe Ripple Effect Program has partnered with the Rotary Club of Prince Albert, Rotary Club of Gualan, Guatemala, and the municipality of Gualan, with funding partners District 5550 World Community Service and CRCID to build 4 classrooms and refurbish washrooms at Blanca Hilda School in Gualan.  This school is an all girl’s school that is overcrowded and in need of improvements.   The project manager Kurt Valentin Sass of Rotary Club of Gualan has provided regular updates with pictures on the progress of this construction project. 

The principal of this school has worked there for over 30 years.  

 

There are approximately 450 girls attending school and the possibility of increasing enrolment with the addition of new classrooms. About https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000050018/Stories/da5ac6da-caa9-4550-834f-7670183f5348.jpg20 students were studying outside as there was no more room in the overcrowded classrooms. One dilapidated building used as a classroom was removed for a net increase of 3 rooms with the construction of 4 new rooms.  Since property is at a premium at this site, it was decided, in conference with the parents, teachers, municipality and Rotarians to build 2 storey building with 2 classrooms on the bottom and 2 on the top.  The municipality is funding 2 of the 4 classrooms and also are doing some grading, landscaping and repairs to retaining walls. 

 
The washrooms were in disrepair and the cemented walls were difficult, if not impossible to clean.  There was a drop of up to 5 feet off the platform that led to the washrooms without a railing.  The construction is addressing both issues, with new tiling of the washroom interiors and a new railing along the edge to help to prevent accidents.
 
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Gord and Deb LeMaistre have visited the school on 2 occasions and have been impressed with the neatness and the care taken by the students to make their school beautiful.  There are hanging plants along the hallways and the school is well maintained and kept as clean as possible.
 
The students, teachers and municipal leaders took part in the celebration/sod turning ceremony in October 2010 when Gord & Deb were visiting, and construction is now well underway.  The roof is now on and the windows and doors are being installed.  School began January 17th, with newly renovated washrooms and soon there will be 4 new classrooms to help alleviate the overcrowding.  Thank you to all the partners for working towards improving educational opportunities for the children of Guatemala!
 
For more information on how you and your club can make a difference in the lives of the children of Guatemala, please contact any member of the Canadian Ripple Effect Committee or email Gord LeMaistre at glemaistre1@hotmail.com