Work Groups
In 2006, Seeds of Learning work group volunteers came from counties all across California, as well as Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and even Germany! We welcomed a total of 177 work group volunteers who traveled to El Salvador, and/or Nicaragua in response to requests from rural communities for help in building a school. After speaking with in-country staff, community members, and returned work group volunteers, I sense that it was an incredible, unique, and eye-opening experience for everyone.
In El Salvador, eight groups traveled to Suchitoto, to support and participate in the construction of three additional classrooms in La Primavera School. Volunteers also had the chance to get to know some of the 120 students who will attend that and the previous school SOL helped to build. Silvia, the principal of the school asked me to personally thank each and every one of you who came. Thanks to hundreds of hours of hard work, sweat, companionship, and dedication, the school is just about complete. We thank all the individual volunteers who traveled to El Salvador to work. Additionally, we are grateful to the following groups who sent volunteers, including: Andover Newton Theological School, University Rotary Club of Palo Alto, Sonoma Valley High School, The SOL Board/Friends Group, and St. Leo’s Catholic Church.
Eight groups also traveled to Nicaragua to learn about and work alongside community members in Ciudad Darío, Santa Lucia de las Jaguas, and El Jobo. Early in the year, volunteers helped reconstruct and refurbish an existing classroom, and build a new one with the people of Santa Lucia de las Jaguas. The school was successfully completed and inaugurated mid-year. Community leaders, teachers, and students have expressed their sincerest gratitude to SOL and all of you for your help.
Later in the year, volunteers, SOL staff, and community members helped to build an additional classroom in the El Jobo School, just outside of Dario. The students and teachers are so grateful to SOL volunteers and their community for the increased space, which allows children a better learning environment. We thank groups and individuals from Andover Newton Theological School, Mendocino Area Churches, the SOL Board/Friends Group, Francis Parker Charter School, Hawken School, the Community Church of Sebastopol, Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church, as well as teachers from throughout California who traveled this year to Nicaragua.
We consider all of our work group participants and donors part of the Seeds of Learning family. We encourage you to join us and help to recruit participants for next year. The schedule for 2007 work groups will be published in our fall newsletter and posted on our website by the beginning of November.