Continuing a Dream…An Education for All

Presentation to the Methodist Church of Boca Grande……………..

By Louise Brunberg and James M.S. Johnson

Our StoryLouise Brunberg

•Louise Brunberg retired in 1993, after 30 years of teaching in Connecticut.•She first visited Nagarote, Nicaragua in 1993.•Louise was deeply moved by thesituation of the families and children.•She began visiting every year from then on.•Using her own savings, Louise opened a soup kitchen in 1996, so that the poorest families could receive at least one meal a day.•Eventually she began teaching a small group of children in a building donated by the mayor.•The school grew over the years, receiving help from volunteers and generous donors.

Nagarote

•Urban population of approximately 20,000 people.

•Located only 42 miles from the capital city of Managua.

•Lies close to Lake Managua and Momotombo Volcano (seen in background).

•Surrounding area consists of rural villages, farms and ranches.

•Famous for quesillos, genizaro tree, and clean streets.

•Great economic inequality among the residents.

Our School: The Building of a Dream

Escuela de Sueños de Luisa (School of Louise’s Dreams)

•Today, the school enrolls over 200 children between preschool and 4th grade.•There are both morning and afternoon sessions.•The children that attend the school come from Nagarote’s most impoverished neighborhoods, and are unable or unlikely to attend the public schools.•At the school, the children are provided all their educational necessities:

1. School supplies2. Transportation3. Breakfast4. Lunch5. Uniform6. Shoes

The FacilitiesSchool of Louise’s Dreams quickly grew too big for the original building.

•In 2008, a generous donor provided the money necessary to build a new, larger school.•The new facilities now have five classrooms, an office, library, and kitchen.•A bus was donated, for transporting the children to and from school.

Recent projects!!!•Cubbies and shelves were built for storage.•A chimney was placed in the kitchen.•Water tanks were installed at the school.•Computers and internet service are available.•Water barrels were donated to families.•Gifts were delivered from the Venice Elementary School.

The StaffSchool of Louise’s Dreams employs 17 teachers and staff members.

•The school provides secure employment for many teachers who otherwise are unableto find work, due to a lack of positions in the public schools.•Employees’ medical costs are provided for.•Teachers receive Montessori training by expert volunteers.

The Montessori Method

In 2007, Louise began inviting Montessori teachers to train the school’s staff in these advanced approaches to teaching.

•A Montessori expert, Marie Scott, makes frequent visits to Nagarote to help continue the training.•The teachers are now implementing Montessori techniques in the classrooms, with the help of donated materials. •This progression is a revolutionary change for the educational culture of Nicaragua, which is based on rote learning and memorization.•The Right to Learn hopes to be able to train teachers outside the school in the future.

College Scholarship Program

•The Right to Learn financially assists approximately 50 students annually to attend college.

•We provide an average of $30 a month for the students’ transportation costs.

•We also cover the cost to receive their professional licensing, which can cost up to $700 US dollars.

Success Stories!!!•Elias – earned degree in computer science, now an employee of School of Louise’s Dreams

• Juan Pablo – earned degree in economics, now works for the Nagarote mayor’s office

Our Organization: The Right to Learn

The Right to Learn is:

•A group of volunteers from around the country

•A 501(c)(3) organization

•An organization dedicated to providing a free education, of the highest quality, to the underprivileged children of Nicaragua

Why was The Right to Learn started?

Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere. When Louise Brunberg arrived in 1993, education was not free or mandatory for children. As a result, there is an extremely high rate of unemployment (60% of the population), and most jobs are for unskilled labor. Many families cannot afford to send their

children to school, and some families cannot even properly feed them.

Today: A Dream in Peril

Our Predicament

•School of Louise’s Dreams was established and maintained for over 11 years, relying almost entirely on the personal savings of Louise Brunberg.

•Currently, the school is surviving on a minimal sum of $3,850 a month.

•This means of funding is not secure or sustainable for the future.

•The continued presence of the school, and the wellbeing of over 200 children, will depend on the sponsorship of private donors.

Our Solution

1)Improved structure and organization within The Right to Learn = Accomplished

2)A formulated fundraising effort = Under way

3)Increased involvement of donors and volunteers = Developing

4)Sustained support from donors = Needed

Ways to SupportSponsorshipA monthly contribution

Packages:1.Silver Benefactor ($25 per month) = provide one child with all their monthly educational necessities

2.Gold Benefactor ($50 per month) = provide one college student with all their monthly educational necessities

3.Platinum Benefactor ($100 per month) = support the entire program and help to develop new programs or facility improvements

4.Custom Sponsorship (custom value) = support any program of your choosing

One-time DonationA one-time, custom value of your choosing, supporting any program of your choosing.

In-Kind DonationA material donation of your choosing.

VolunteerSupport us with your time and effort, either from home or by joining us on trips to Nagarote.

Please Support The Right to Learn

1. Donate online using your credit or debit card at:

www.therighttolearn.org

2. Send a check made out to “Right to Learn”: Barbara Temple, Treasurer “Right to Learn” PO Box 165 Block Island, RI 02807

3. Fill out a donation form today!!!

Please visit our website at www.therighttolearn.org to learn more, and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about our progress.