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Proyecto Remedios Educativos (PRE) is a young non-profit based in Anchorage, Alaska that aims to support education in the Tola Municipality of Nicaragua. The organization works directly with the local communities and provides crucial supplies to the region’s schools. PRE has contributed much to these communities and their report detailing their recent progress describes the warmth and gratitude with which Director Espen Haugen and his brother, Anders, were received.
PRE began the construction of an entirely new school in the remote village of Berlin. Though the organization had focused primarily on supporting existing schools in the Tola Municipality, PRE recognized the need for a new school in this remote community perched in the hills above San Ignacio. Though the isolation of the community hindered construction as all supplies had to be deposited at a staging area 7 km north of Berlin and taken the final few kilometers by ox-cart, construction is well underway.
The extent of one classroom's textbooks
Throughout March and April, PRE also addressed the lack of books in the area, working with local teachers to compile a book list for the area schools. At the end of April, the organization ordered 1,500 books to be distributed amongst the 12 schools with whom they work. The books will be shared amongst teams of 4-5 students with an additional teacher copy for each subject.
Over the past few months, PRE has provided paint to many of the local schools in order to protect the structures against the elements and constructed wells in two villages which will provide clean water to the local schools as well as the community at large. PRE also assisted two of the larger schools, which fulfill much of the administrative needs for some of the smaller area schools, by providing the administrators with lap tops and printers. Before receiving these supplies, everything from exams to worksheets to announcements had to be written by hand or on a typewriter.
By providing supplies and organizing construction efforts in the Tola Municipality, PRE has improved not only the physical structures of the regions schools but the quality of education for the students.
Espen is doing a fabulous job. His work shows how much one person can do with very little money, but with lots of energy, planing and care.