Alto Del Monte School
The small hilltop pueblo of Alto Del Monte lies about half way between the main airport at San Jose and the pacific coast. Currently it has only eight students but has a paid principal/teacher, a teaching aid and a cook. The Ministry of Education pays for the staff only funding for most educational materials such as textbooks, furniture utilities and the building itself by the community much like in the US. All the schools we have visited are very clean, the students all ware uniforms and their parents are committed to educating their children.
The
Building
MORE INFORMATION... 
The
Kids
VIEW THIS PROJECT...
The
Wish List
VIEW List of Needs..
The
Donors
VIEW DONATION...
The
Building
Alto Del Monte school is housed in a building which was built as a community center then fell into disrepair. Since there is no taxing authority maintenance has been entirely by community donations.
Currently there is a fund-raiser to refinish the rough second floor as a covered recreation area.
The school occupies the lower floor with one classroom for all six grades, a kitchen/dinning room, bath and storeroom.
NEXT / PREVIOUS PROJECT
Security
Most buildings in rural areas have bars on the windows and many have fences. Unfortunately the slight risk of kidnapping and the need to keep smaller children under control has necessitated more precautions.
Repairs
Repairs have been hard to finance due to the small community population and most of the work gets done by a few neighbors.
Lighting
Due to the porch and poor lighting the rooms are dark, the kitchen/dinning room has now windows.
The
Children
The kids, the children, the students, this. after all is why we're interested, they are the future we are responsible for. The uniforms remind us that in the eyes of the world they are all equal, one hour in any of the schools we support reminds us of what a wonderful time our youth can be and renews hope.
Most of my photos are from the 2014 Graduation & End of year celibration.
Holiday play
Graduation is a celebration for the entire community
The principal and school officials
Confidently looking to the future
Sharing
Everyone feels pride
The one and only 1-6 classroom!
3 - 8
<
>
The
Wish List
Each year we send a request for a "wish list" to the schools in Costa Rica. Both large needs and classroom supplies. We ask again for the "dream list" which takes a bit more consideration.
Please note: If you would like to contribute towards the purchase of one or more of these items send a check to the following address and in the comment space designate the item(s):
Foundation
P.O.Box 604
Poulsbo, WA 98370 USA
If your planning to bring items down, let us know so we don't duplicate!
Santillana or RH Spanish textbooks
required books
paper, chalk, construction paper, dry erase markers, adhesive vinyl rolls, masking tape, large manila envelopes, white envelopes
English and Spanish Dictionaries
erasers, scissors, colored pencils, playdough, acrylic paints, pencil sharpeners, glue, markers
soccer balls
telephone
volleyball
computers for kids
tablet (smart device)
table games
metal lockers
recorders
rotating chairs
folding chairs
library furniture
electrical upgrades in school
soccer nets
bathroom upgrades
smart boards
large pad locks
air conditioning
The big item for this year is to re-surface the upstairs of the building to create a Rec center as an alternative to playing in the street!
This will also encourage the community to has events and maintain the building
Price about $2000
Please note: All large projects include a major contribution from the community that the school serves. Sometimes labor is all they have to give but the community and parents are vested!
Parents of children are also expected to supply clean uniforms every day, backpacks with the basics (notebooks, pencils, pens rulers..). At Staples in Costa Rica this would cost about $50, beyond what most can afford!
The
Donors
Each year we send a request for a "wish list" (RFP on foundation terms:) to the schools in Costa Rica. often the list is very much the same the same. Classroom supplies are quite similar the world over. Paper, pencils and art supplies. We ask again for the "dream list" which takes a bit more consideration. We to get donor who are able to make major improvements!
Every improvement is a donation from someone. Until these bathrooms were remodeled last year the school have only one bathroom.
EcoTeach Foundation - info@ecoteach.org – 800-626-8992x16
Po.O.Box 604 Poulsbo, WA 98370 USA
