Happy Holidays!!

Here at La Catalina Educational Foundation we are wrapping up another great year and would like to express our gratitude for all the support we receive. Thanks to you we are able to continue providing free educational programs that build a better future for the community of La Manzanilla!  We wish you all the best for 2012!

Need a Great Gift Idea? Donate to the Computer Lab Construction!

Construction of a second classroom is underway at the Costa Alegre Educational Center!

We would like to extend a big thank you to the municipal government of La Huerta for donating the required building permits. These permits are expensive and generally good for only one year. However, the Municipal President Carlos Roman Ramirez Nuñez and his government  counsel, believing in the charter of the new Educational Center, voted unanimously to award free permits for as long as will be necessary to complete construction of the Center.

The second larger classroom currently being constructed will become the new community classroom, and the smaller existing room will be converted to a computer lab where LCEF will offer computer classes to community members. Through a survey conducted this past September as well as through strongly expressed desires of community members, it has become very clear that what the community requires is a computer lab. Residents want to learn basic computer skills that will broaden their employment opportunities as well as their access to information and communication channels. 

A small minority of people in La Manzanilla can afford a computer but a large majority want to develop computer skills. The new computer program at the middle school only serves a tiny percentage of the population and still leaves most children and adults without the opportunity to access a computer. La Catalina Educational Foundation is stepping up to give the community what they are requesting, but we need your help!

The building foundation was laid in August with proceeds from our 7^th annual “A Night under the Stars” auction and party, and we have almost been able to finish constructing the brick walls thanks to generous donations by: Jim and Susan F., Richard R. & Nansee N. (of Casa Luz), Robert R., Cyndi C., Cruz G., Kay & Tolling, Marcia G., Gabriela de la Vega and Tia & Toby (Cafe Risa). Funds are now needed (listed in US Dollars) to:

Finish brick walls (only 200 more bricks needed!), lay cement floor, plaster walls ($3875) Install windows and door ($1500) Build a palapa roof ($1167) Prepare electrical system ($417) Install security system ($1000) Paint building ($833)

Total funds needed to complete the second classroom are $8792US.

Give the gift of education and help us finish this second classroom! Online donations can be submitted via Paypal. For more information please call 315 351 5362 or email la_catalinafoundation@hotmail.com.