
| The Little English Schoolhouse is a non-profit project commenced in Puerto Morelos to bring English to the local Spanish speaking children. Although English is taught in the local schools, it is not at a level that provides the students a real "working” fluency. Additionally, a large number of the families do not have the funds to even send their children to school. For many of this future generation, English skills can provide opportunities they would never encounter otherwise and help them escape the cycle of poverty. Prices for private English Classes in Cancun or Playa del Carmen for children can run as high as $50 USD per lesson! The Berlitz-trained instructor at The Little English Schoolhouse has shifted her focus to providing a totally free program, in the library in the Colonia. The initial clinic was a great success. Registration is now open for the Fall 2010 session . Our heartfelt thanks go out to those that donated both supplies and money, but to continue the program and for expansion of classes, we are asking you to support the school in any way you can. This is a very worthy cause that I feel deeply about as does Anna the teacher. We both have made personal sacrifices to ensure the success of this program and will continue to do so to make this work. And now we are asking for your help as well. We feel that an annual budget of $10,000 will help the school to not only continue the weekend program, but to expand the free clinics to 3 classes per week. Latest Note From the Teacher August 3, 2010 The Little English Schoolhouse is providing a free English clinic for the children of Puerto Morelos. The clinic has been a great success! It is unarguable that exposing children to a new language early on builds confidence and motivates them to continue learning English after they finish our program. We have started an English class for the grandmothers. They are a joy to teach and learn with. These days are extra rewarding. The Little English Schoolhouse hosted its first English Festival. June 23rd turned out to be the perfect day for a Summer Festival. The square was alive with children and their parents running here and there readying for their child’s place in the program; the younger and older siblings filling the playground. The grandmothers (Abuelitas) sat to one side waiting to showcase their new red gowns while singing I Met Him On A Sunday by The Sherelles. Local artists lined the park to sell original designs to the visitors and part-time locals. It was wonderful to see the town square so alive. Click here for photos Our intention is to continue to organize an event, each quarter, which brings The Little English Schoolhouse and the community together to embrace living and learning. The next one should take place in the fall. We are working on some ideas and will keep you informed as one develops. Thank you for all your support. It has brought us a long way and we hope it continues to push us further into the future. With gratitude, Ms. Ana- The Little English Schoolhouse Postscript: We very much need a camera with the capability to take video. We had an old Sony from my design days. I brought it with me from home; but it was very difficult to get the battery. We requested one on the “much needed list” and we received it shortly after. I was so excited; we could finally start making little videos, of the classes, to post on the website. I readied the camera confident everything was working smoothly. On the day of our Summer Festival I brought it out, turned it on and there was no touch screen- blank- it is not operable without it. No video of the children reciting: “Brown Bear, Brown bear, what do you see?” So sad! Please if anyone has a used one or can donate one for the school, we would be very happy. Also, we are always in need of the Dell810 cartridges. We can’t get them here. Please check the updated list, on the website, for needed supplies. HOW CAN YOU HELP? A PayPal account has been established through this website by the website owner to serve as a conduit for donations to the school. We now have a "Sponsor a Child" Program that can ensure the continuing learning experience of these students. Sponsorship rates would be $50 usd per child for a 2 month class. This is your opportunity to make a difference in the life of the future generations of Mexico. Simply click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left to make your contribution or if you are in Puerto Morelos contact Frank to make your donation in person.. For a list of needed supplies please click here. |


