Escuelita yo puedo…The little I can School
A very special school called Escuelita Yo Puedo welcomes children of one of Granada's poorest barrios to enter its colorful classroom. It is here that children, preschoolers to adolescents, are welcomed by enthusiastic Nicaraguan teachers along with international volunteers. These eager youngsters enter an oasis where for the first time they have a chance to be students. Here they discover that golden opportunity that eluded their parents: to learn to read, to do math, to play games, to sing a song, to be a child.
This is an educational experience that sadly is not within reach of the majority of Nicaragua's children where public schools are lacking in materials and activities. Before Escuelita Yo Puedo, most had never before seen a book or held a crayon.
It is here that they also learn about taking care of their bodies (brushing their teeth, exercising, sports). They each have their chance at the computer to learn through teaching games, and to have a piano lesson each week. It is here that they experience a weekly trip to the community library to read new books and to read to each other.
There are special days too when the staff treats the students to a "paseo:" a day of swimming and picnicking, or hiking, or visiting a butterfly farm. Trips to the volcano or historical sites help to widen their life experiences.
Escuelita Yo Puedo fills a large void in the lives of these children who are the future of the community. It plays a small but vital role in combating a rising illiteracy rate and high unemployment. It also opens a door for the many volunteers who want to do their part to change the world in some way.
Ongoing needs
Teachers’ salaries, books, school supplies, meals for the children, medical supplies, funds for field trips, etc. any donation to cover these needs are more than welcome.
Amounts that can make a difference:
- $50 will pay for a child’s school supplies to start the school year
- $125 a month will pay for a teacher’s salary
- $10 a day will pay for nutritious meals for children
