Progress on Ometepe August

 The satellite school at Tilgue has requested help to repair  their electrical system and a sum of $150 about £120 has been sent to help with this and work is currently being undertaken by a local electrician and the help of the parents. We had replaced the light bulbs so that the classrooms were illuminated but unfortunately a severe storm damaged them, so I have requested that a surge protector is now installed to prevent this happening again.  I observed when I was in Ometepe, the dangerous state of the infrastructure that children are working in and felt that this is as important to address as the educational equipment.  Particularly as we are able to send a lot of equipment boxed up in the containers, albeit that some is second hand.

The headteacher Hemer, continues to distribute pens and pencils at the start of term, eking out supplies.  Unfortunately we are not obtaining more from the regional Rotary club at present, just through local people's second hand donations.  But this is understood as the pandemic has badly affected the island and the country too.

However some of the monthly donation is being spent on precautions against coronovirus to keep pupils safe.

Some donated items have also been used as prizes for the pupils who have recently gained prizes for academic and cultural achievements, coming first in the region.

It has also been pleasing to see that teachers are able to undertake their training om the island remotely using the wifi we have provided, thus saving them a risky  journey to the mainland.

Pupils have been working in the gardens of the school producing food for their families and the community.  The crops have been irrigated using the water system we supported the school to install with the help of parents.

Next month we send another three months funds for wifi and sundries and I am hoping to somehow gather funds for the remaining priorities by the end of the year.