The construction of the wall was delayed due to the rain season and the difficulty to bring the material. However, it started and is progressing as it can be observed in the pictures.

Las Palmas School

This is the school where we are currently developing the Communications project. The school developed an ecological theme, taking advantage of the location of the school and the retention wall (see below - A Special Project)and as part of the Communications project. This ecological theme is carried through all of the subjects taught, and there are special days in which all the children have outdoor activities to help the environment. For instance, they have planted native plants and a garden, picked up garbage; built games that are ecologically friendly, etc. The program has been very successful. It has facilitated the integration of our Communication project with the teachers and their regular program. But most importantly, it has provided for an increased interest on the part of the teachers for their classes, and an increased motivation in the children. See the pictures below.

The area

Enjoying a little break near the garden

The garden is planted and maintained by the children

The first salad!

Proud with all the garbage picked up

The river at the bottom of the hill - it is contaminated and unfortunately not safe for the children - bad people in the area

burying the biodegradable garbage

Collecting water to examine later.

It was their idea to use leaves to collect the water

Working hard!

They are making steps - their idea to use old tires - and it worked!

Other had a different approach

Enjoying a little rest! See the beautiful wall?

The steps are taking shape!

Time to prepare a game

time to enjoy it!

Or play with the tires..

A Special Project – Immediate Impact February-June 2007

During a visit to the projects in January 2007, we went to the Palmas School where we are doing the Communications project. This is a very poor school in an area where the new displaced people are arriving. All the houses are makeshift. The school is on a hill and the area where the kids play is in two “terraces” in dirt. That is, there is neither retention wall nor pavement or any thing to hold the terraces, therefore, the terrain is exposed to significant erosion when it rains.

In addition, the children use the terraces as a roller coaster aggravating the erosion problem.

When we saw this and compared with what we have seen in last year's visit to the school, there was no doubt that the whole terrain is eroding very quickly and that the school is in serious danger, as the pictures show.

It is with great satisfaction that ColombiaCare was able to take immediate action. We inquired for estimates to have a retention wall built and decided to pay for it. The cost was estimated to be $2,500. The construction of the retention wall started on February 26, 2007 . We will post an update very soon once we have pictures of the construction and of course when the project is finished. We are making a difference!