May 8, 2002

We inaugurated the school! In our big final stretch the community of San Juan and BwB team made it all happen: we finished the construction and prepared a nice inauguration ceremony.

After long months of project we were all proud to inaugurate a five classroom schoolhouse where almost 150 kids go to classes from kindergarten to the 5th grade. Parents were excited, kids were running around the construction, BwB team had a hard time trying to stop smiling so much. The mayor, the deputy mayor and the representative of the Ministry of Education also came to show their support to the community and to congratulate them for their success in working for a better future for their children.

A few days after inauguration, we had a opportunity to come back to the village and find kids during school hours. That was another chance for us to see where all our work had gone: teachers and students had already decorated the walls, they had plenty of room for the kids, assistance was higher than before and everyone looked and felt rather excited about coming to the school.

We all know it was just a first step but we also know it was a very important one. People from San Juan had to learn a lot to make this school a reality and one of the best things they've learned, as far as I know, was that they can make a difference.

On behalf of people in San Juan de la Penca, I'd like to thank all of you who have supported BwB.

Come back for more for we'll be always building, learning and sharing!

Thanks again,

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