The children who attend Oñondivepá never complain about the broken chairs and desks, the perpetually “out of order” bathrooms, or the meager portions
of condensed milk. These 300 children are enthusiastic about learning and see school as a privilege. It is their instinctive desire to learn that motivates us to support them in achieving their goals.
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Benchmarks of Success
In Guarani, the local language, “Oñondivepá” means “All Together.” Our ultimate goal is to secure the school and expand its programs to enable all 300 children to learn
from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Our success is measured in smiles and laughter just as much as in passing grades and graduation.
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Project PHASES
Phase 1. To Ensure the Students’ Safety and Well-being
Only a broken wire fence separates the students at Oñondivepá from an impoverished shantytown created with abandoned materials. Few families have running water or electricity.
Working with the Director of Oñondivepá, Eladia Alcaraz, we believe the first vital step in improving the school’s environment is building a protective wall that will enclose the
property and enable students and teachers to work together without danger or distraction.
The wall is currently under construction and initial fundraising will be devoted to completing this first phase of development.
Phase 2. To Provide Classroom Space and a Suitable Learning Environment
Overcrowding strains the existing space and resources at Oñondivepá. The student population has outgrown the facilities, and in turn each of the 300 students attend a 3-hour daily session,
compared to the standard 4-hour daily session. Due to the inadequate setting and limited space, Oñondivepá can only offer classes for Kindergarten through 9th grade; denying students the opportunity to obtain a high school
diploma.
Additional classroom space, chairs, desks, and equipment will create an environment that is conducive to learning and will eventually provide the students with the needed education through 12th grade. The
success of this phase will provide the students of Oñondivepá with an opportunity to attend college.
Phase 3. To Nurture both Mind and Body
The children come to Oñondivepá not only with hungry minds, but also hungry bodies. The school offers no food - only a dwindling supply of condensed milk. Due to the shortage, the children
have no guaranteed nourishment during the school day.
Food is not the only staple lacking. Students at Oñondivepá share pens, pencils, and other basic supplies.
In our final phase of development, we complement the facilities with the nourishment and educational tools necessary to preserve a stable learning environment.
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