SCHOOL IN MANAGUA BECOMES A REALITY!
After several months of lobbying government officials, the Pre-school / Brett Bentley Crawford School in La Primavera, Managua, Nicaragua is set to become a reality.
Recently an urgent meeting was called in the office of the Mayor of Managua to discuss the issue. In the background numerous members of the La Primavera community could be heard chanting “Quiermos la escuela, Quieremos la escuela” (We want the school. We want the school). After much discussion, it was agreed the school was critical to the well-being of children in the community and should proceed.
The agreement was signed wherein the land was officially donated for the Escuela Publica, BrettBentley CrawfordSchool. This site will include the Pre-school as funded by CHANCE. A copy of the official documentation, donating the land for the school, has been provided to CHANCE.
Construction began on Saturday, October 27, 2011 where the first stone was laid in a special ceremony.
Tom Affleck, the President of SchoolBox Inc stated, “I would like to personally thank the CHANCE foundation for your incredible support, patience and kindness. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for your understanding….the pre-school will be worth the wait….the kids are ecstatic.”
History
Several years ago, the Brett Bentley Crawford School in Managua, Nicaragua was started by a group of Christian women so that children in their squatter community would have the opportunity to learn to read and write. In the early days, classes were held in an open air building with walls made of salvaged scrap metal. Until 2007, the school had to move seven times, as it was unable to pay rent.
In 2007, SchoolBOX began to support the Brett Bentley Crawford School by helping with rent and basic school supplies. In 2009 it was decided that a more permanent solution was needed. SchoolBox Inc. and CHANCE decided to partner to purchase the land and build a new building for the children of the Brett Bentley Crawford School.
In May 2010, CHANCE proudly presented SchoolBOX with a donation for Brett Bentley Crawford School.
CHANCE’s contribution will help children in Managua, Nicaragua get critical educational opportunities when they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it. CHANCE believes that every child should have the opportunity to grow in an environment which fosters learning and development. The CHANCE committee would like to thank all of its supporters on behalf of the hundreds of children who will benefit from these funds. A donation focused on education is timeless and will benefit the lives of generations of children who will make use of the facilities of the Brett Bentley Crawford School. This donation will help to serve more than 620 school children each year and provide 111 children with desks and chairs.
Fundraising Events
Our first of three fundraising events for this project was a family fundraiser held at the Queenswood Heights Community Center in August 2009. Our guests had a great time dancing and playing games while helping us raise over $1,500.
In October 2009 the second CHANCE Gala was held and it was a big success. Our guests had the opportunity to bid on many high value items that had been generously donated to CHANCE from local businesses. During this event over $15,000 was raised for the Brett Bentley Crawford Preschool.
Finally, in April 2010, the York Street Spa offered to help CHANCE take the final leap to reach our goal for the Nicaraguan Project. The York Street Spa offered to open up their doors clients who had the opportunity to receive haircuts, facial consultations and hand massages in exchange for a donation. With the help of over 30 volunteers and 75 clients, CHANCE raised $3,000.
Take a photographic journey through CHANCE’s Nicaragua Project by following the links below: