School of Hope - Chapultepec

In February 2008, a group from Hope Church in Burstall, Saskatchewan came to build a school for  indigenous children.  Although we had worked hard to prepare for that project, we were unable to be involved with them the week of their project, as we were home in Canada for a special occasion the exact week they were here.

Now in November, this same group came back to build another school in a community about 40 minutes north of IDT.  It was great to actually be here this time and be able to spend some time with this group.  The school they built this fall (24' x 52' w/2 classrooms) is a Kindergarten for 60 - 70 indigenous children.  The two teachers who started this Kindergarten as a service to this community have been operating it for the past year on a completely voluntary basis.  At the beginning of 2009, they will begin to be paid a salary by the government, who has finally recognized the school as a viable educational facility.  Until now, everything that has made this school operational has come out of the pockets of these young teachers ... two young women whose vision for education of the indigenous children was greater than any obstacles they faced.  Their tenacity and their dedication has paid off in the form of a brand new facility, complete with tables, chairs, teacher desks, whiteboards, and even blinds and security bars on the windows.  Their dream is beginning to be fulfilled.  They stood in awe and amazement as they watched their schoolyard transformed within 4 days.  Emotions ran high as they received the gift of a Canadian flag while the Canadian anthem was sung.  While they couldn't adequately express their appreciation, their tears said everything words could not.

At the dedication of the school, we heard the story of how the Hope Burstall Mexico outreach team got started.  A number of years ago, their youth group was driving to a youth event in private vehicles, and a tragic accident occurred where a number of their youth were killed.  The community rallied together and purchased a bus so an accident like this would not happen again.  This bus became the mode of transportation to accommodate their church group coming to Mexico on Mission Outreach Trips to bless those who are less fortunate.  The projects are done in memory of those who lost their lives, but who live on in the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Through the generosity of the community where they live, this group is able to raise an above average amount of money to put towards their projects.  We are thankful that they have been open to building larger projects like schools.  We are looking forward to their return in February 2009 when we will partner them with another visionary teacher who has gained government approval to build an agricultural school for children and young adults with varying disabilities.  This will be another exciting project where the school will be used to teach life skills to these children and young adults, preparing them to deal with their disabilities and join the work force in the agricultural sector on the Baja.

We are very excited to see what started as a Housebuild Program for individual families is growing to include churches, schools, daycares, nursing homes, and community centres that impact whole communities with the love of Jesus Christ in very tangible ways.

Comments

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