Beginning in April 2010 SchoolBOX will begin its most ambitious project yet; the construction of the Brett Bentley School (BBC) in Managua, Nicaragua. The new facility will include nine classrooms, a library, and a sports area.
The BBC school perhaps best exemplifies the role SchoolBOX hopes to play in its objective to provide education to the children and communities most in need. Brett’s school will serve more than two hundred of the most impoverished young children in the Americas. It will provide a permanent home for a school that began under a tree in 2002. It will also allow the school permanent government funding for the first time in its existence. SchoolBOX has obtained through the Nicaraguan Ministry of Education assurances that both teacher salaries and operating costs of the new facility will be covered by the government. Finally after eight years, the teachers will receive pay.
Brett’s School is the way out of poverty for these children. By learning how to read and write, they will be able to find better jobs and change their own realities. They will have the opportunity to dream.
So far we have raised almost half of the funds required to build the $90,000 facility. We are so thankful to have secured the land for the school. If you wish to learn more about the BBC School please check out our website or contact one of our wonderful SchoolBOX representatives. Education is hope!
This year SchoolBOX plans to supply 10 000 children with educational packages.
SchoolBOX On the CBC
Our latest venture to the city of Leon in Nicaragua has grabbed the attention of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
As SchoolBOX expands its vision for the children of Nicaragua, we’re taking hold of the momentum at home too. Our hopes and ambitions are taking us from one great place to another, and we are so pleased to say SchoolBOX is receiving national attention. To our excitement, the CBC covered our trip this spring to the Nicaraguan city of Leon.
A group of Almonte teenagers working under SchoolBOX came to this deprived region of Nicaragua in which even homes had been built merely with tin and plastic. With wheelbarrows, shovels, gloves and high spirits, the Almonte group constructed SchoolBOX’s 17th classroom. The story was covered on CBC radio, television, and in print on the CBC website.
The CBC broadcasts also include the story of Melvin, a fourteen year old boy who was greatly encouraged to return to school by SchoolBOX’s President Tom Affleck. Melvin had left primary school because he could not afford basic school supplies like a backpack to carry books or shoes to walk to school in.
Find out more about Melvin’s story and our trip to Leon on the CBC. See the interviews and hear why we’ve been so successful at planting the seeds of education by following the link below.
Soccer is a favourite pastime for Nicaraguan youth, through SchoolBOX, eight communities participate in our Soccer Dreams Program.
SchoolBOX@Home Events
Help us raise funds for our
goals in Nicaragua by hosting your own SchoolBOX@Home Event.
We are so grateful to everyone who has donated and volunteered
with SchoolBOX, it means so much to us. If you’re interested
in doing more work with SchoolBOX, or to get involved for the
first time, host your own SchoolBOX@Home event.
All you have to do is organize a night in which you can host
your friends, family and colleagues and we’ll be there
to speak about SchoolBOX’s goals.
Donations of up to $2500 will be matched by an anonymous
donor for each SchoolBOX@Home event. Host your own event and
you can really make education possible for deserving children
in Nicaragua.
If you’re interested go to our website to get started.
You can make an immediate difference today though one simple step; by joining the SchoolBOX Facebook group.
For every new friend SchoolBOX makes on Facebook, an anonymous donor will make a $2 contribution to the organization.
In the last few weeks over 800 fans have joined our Facebook group which has raised more than $1600. Join now, share the link and encourage your Facebook friends, and we can make education possible today!
It only takes $5 for a child to receive an educational package with all the supplies necessary to attend school.
A SchoolBOX Story More and more Canadian youth are becoming involved with SchoolBOX
Last year 12 year old George Kay went to Nicaragua with his mother Michelle to help build a school in San Pedro de la Flor on Ometepe Island. Before George headed to Nicaragua he and his classmates in Canada filled a suitcase with toys including a harmonica and a Frisbee along with school supplies to help equip the school he was going to build with other SchoolBOX volunteers. Interestingly enough, the children had never played with a Frisbee before, so George taught them how. He also played soccer with his new friends with the ball he brought for them.
George lives in Ottawa, Canada. He loves math, geometry and French class. He is an avid sports player and hopes to grow up to be an Olympic Athlete, and a teacher. George is truly an inspiration.
To have such ambition and dreams at such a young age, combined with the desire to help make a difference is truly admirable. We’re proud of George for helping kids just like him reach their own goals and have their own dreams. Way to go! George hopes to go back to help the children in Nicaragua again soon along with his younger sister.
