Help Us Build New Classrooms

Our school community is seeking your support so we can construct 4 new classrooms to provide more students with our arts-integrated academics and plant a flag for Waldorf education in Central America. Escuela Caracol’s trilingual Waldorf education offers local children better opportunities. In order to provide for more children we urgently need new classrooms. We need your help. Your $20 donation will give these children space to learn and grow and make a world of difference.

NON-US DONORS If you have a non-US billing address, please enter your address correctly and then also use "VA" as the state. If you receive an error code of 252 or 253, your transaction has been accepted and is being manually approved by UCP. If you receive any other error code or would like to verify that your donation is being processed, please email your inquiry to barbara@unitedcp.org.

PAY BY CHECK Please make it payable to The Atitlan Education Project and mail to our US mailbox: 6541 Tucker Ave., McLean, VA 22101.

What will the project look like?

The plan for this project includes the construction of three new classrooms for the primary grades, one new kindergarten classroom, and a renovated and expanded kitchen. These additions will allow EC to serve up to 115 students within the next three years. 

The three primary grade classrooms will be located on land adjacent to the school, which has been purchased by Asociación Caracol. The construction will reflect our commitment to environmental sustainability and safety for the children. We will rely heavily on local materials such as stone, adobe and wood, and local labor will also be employed. The plan for these classrooms is a hexagonal structure that is designed to fit in with the natural surroundings and foster a connection with the outside world. Our new classrooms will also be energy efficient, with many windows to allow for natural light. The bathrooms for these classrooms will be composting toilets, just like the other bathrooms at the school.

The Kindergarten will be nestled in a protected enclave of the new property and also be constructed from natural materials. It will be scaled to the small child to create a sense of warmth and safety. Its organic shape will create an enlivened atmosphere to promote imaginative play and exploration, which is are essential to the young child’s development.

The Kitchen will be expanded to include more cooking and food storage space and extra sinks for washing dishes. This new space will allow us to continue to provide nourishing snacks and lunches made from local produce. It is big part of our commitment to educate the whole child. This is especially important in a community where most live below the poverty line.

 

How will this project be funded?

In Guatemala, a little goes a long way. The total cost of this project is estimated to be $140,000

Why does Escuela Caracol need to build new classrooms?


Escuela Caracol began with a kindergarten and 7 students in 2007. We have now expanded from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade, and we have run out of room.  We also need classrooms that provide greater protection from the elements.  For the past five years our small school has held classes in open-air structures. Guatemala is commonly called the land of eternal spring. This is true of our location, and our children have greatly benefited from all of the butterflies and humming birds that have flown in to participate in main lesson. Spring wind and rains, however, can make learning conditions extremely difficult. This is an opportunity for Escuela Caracol to reach out to continue growing in a way that is healthy and sustainable.