Help Local Residents Build Their Future—Brick by Brick!

LCEF has broken ground for the dearly needed second classroom at the Costa Alegre Educational Center. The foundation for this second classroom has been laid using 40,000 pesos of the proceeds raised from “A Night under the Stars” 7^th annual fundraising benefit and part of an $800US donation from Thetis Island residents. The kids and community members are now jumping with excitement to see the walls go up!

This second and larger classroom is being built because the increased participation in our free educational programs means we have outgrown the capacity of the first classroom. The old classroom will be converted into a computer lab and the new classroom will hold our community classes including afterschool art, English, literacy and music programs, DIF counseling programs for kids, adult English classes, our annual summer day camp and more.

Having a computer lab has been a goal and part of LCEF’s strategic plan since 2005. In a community survey administered in September, 2011, learning English and Computer Literacy were ranked as the highest priorities to prepare local youth for a prosperous future. This new lab will be designed for 15 computer stations and will provide training and lab time for students, adults and teachers in the community. 

Hugo Brambila, whose children also attend LCEF’s programs, is the dedicated foreman of our construction team and is working to give us the lowest costs for the project. This second classroom is being built in three phases as the required funds are raised:  

	Description	Cost in US Dollars
Phase 1	Foundation laid	$4250 √Complete!
Phase 2	Structure built with bricks	$3900
Phase 3	Finishing  (paint, fixtures, floors,         doors, windows)	$3850

You can help with Phase 2 of the project and be a part of building better opportunities for the locals of La Manzanilla, brick by brick!

You can choose from three donation levels to support the construction:  

1. 50 bricks with cement, sand, mortar and labor – donation:  $65US

2. 100 bricks with cement, sand, mortar and labor – donation:  $130US

3. 250 bricks with cement, sand, mortar and labor – donation:  $325US

We need a combined amount of 3000 bricks with material to complete the walls.  However, as donations come in we will be able to begin building the walls and moving  the classroom closer to its completion.

You can make your donations through Teachers Without Borders for a US tax receipt or through Paypal.  See our Donations page for more details and links.