La Union is getting a Middle School (en espanol - Basico)

Board member, Dr. Ellen Greenblatt and I are in La Union. Yesterday was the first day for students to sign up to go to middle school this coming January.  By days end 10 kids were registered.  By the end of next week they anticipate 75 more registrations.

Construction is m.oving along on the second floor structure. Thanks to the generosity of all those that attended the fundraiser ----------------we are well on our way!

The Lula Lounge fundraising effort was a resounding success!!!

The event at Lula on October 28th starring Wallace and the Gromits and Conjunto Lacalu was a resounding success.
Our goal of reaching $20,000.00 was realized and we are able to open the middle school in La Union this January.

Stay tuned and we will post pictures and highlites.

Access Education BENEFIT night - OCTOBER 28TH at the LULA LOUNGE!

Join all your friends at the Lula Lounge on October 28th (http://www.lula.ca/) !
Order your tickets by going to http://www.accesseducation.ca/ and click on the link under the picture.

Lula is ground zero for Salsa and Access Education presents: Conjunto Lacalu  and special guests: Wallace and the Gromits.

Dinner tables can only be booked by reservation by calling Access at: 416 537-9459 or by emailing yours truly at: adrienne@accesseducation.ca

Bring your family, friends and office workers.  We are trying to raise $20,000.00 to open a middle school in January in the town of La Union.  Get those tickets now!

High School Unplugged

It's almost that time again - time to return to school.........
My daughter Sally is moving from Toronto New School to Central Technical School while Alana moves off to Trent University and their science program.

If you have children that are high school age and would like to participate in a life-transforming trip that will earn them a credit as well as volunteer hours next summer, please consider our High School Unplugged program.
The trip takes place in Guatemala and will be a Ministry of Education approved credit.
Hablamos Pronto!

For more information call: 416 537-9459.

Coatepeque - The Access Education Project at La Union

We were meant to be painting a new addition of the school that was built with funds from Access Education.  We pulled up to the school on Saturday expecting paint and the principal.  They definitely had other ideas.
There were 250 children in uniform and their parents waiting for us in assembly chairs.  There was a stage set up and when we walked through the court-yard the applause began. They were there to thank us.
We were treated, for the next two hours, to presentations from all the children.  There was marimba dancing, a demonstration by primary children of how the corn is tilled in the fields and a lot of singing.
The Minister of Education spoke and I had a chance to say a few words.  I took our kids up on to the stage to show the village that we are all the same when we persevere and when we work together.  Our kids served as a testament to change.  They were extremely engaged and changed by this display.  That day we announced that La Union would now begin offering Basico (middle school) as of January in addition to Primary school.  This is a HUGE deal.

Afterwords we did indeed paint the school, played soccer (Mario rocks) and we took a foot tour of La Union and in fact visited relatives.

Photos

We are all sad to be going home....It was a truly amazing experience.

I would like to personally thank Ryan, Helen, John Way, Claire Dallies, Ruben Gonzalez, Josue, and Aeshwarya on the home team for making this an incredible experience.   AND hats off to the amazing students - Giselle, Myles, Kate, Alana and Jack for bringing everything into focus.  They were always in awe.  They always had questions.  They were always grateful.  They were frequently moved.

I feel blessed to have gone down the road with such fine people.