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Beans for Books

MEDICO PROJECT 2007

Cup for Education was proud to sponsor the cost of shipping, along with additional supplies, crates of educational materials, and school supplies to the MEDICO organization on their recent field trip to Honduras.  M.E.D.I.C.O. is an independent nonprofit foundation that sends volunteer medical teams into developing countries to provide free services for people with little or no access to basic medical care.  In addition when available, educational needs of these communities are addressed.

News and photos from Naranjito Banaderos, Honduras. 

The community was made of some 19 villages scattered amongst the coffee plantations in the Merendon Mountains totaling over 4,000 residents in all.  There were 6 schools that supported these communities, each with an average of 30 to 40 students in their respective school grade levels.  IE: they were small schools.  We were able to pack 6 crates of new and used school supplies for distribution to these schools of which there were greatly appreciative.  Included in the crates were notebook paper, construction paper, new pencils, colored markers, crayons, folders, binders, glue, flash cards in Spanish, books in Spanish, maps, games, classroom supplies.  Due to their remoteness and the sheer cost of supplies, these schools and the students within struggle with some of the very basic supplies we take for granted here in the states. 

We distributed one box of supplies directly to a school in a village we visited on our first day of arrival.  The rest of the schools all sent their students and the maestro up to our clinic where we gave them the supplies.

September 3rd – 4th 2004:  Annual Farmer’s Market Fundraiser

Once again, Cup For Education had a successful fundraiser at the Ashlawn Farm Market in Lyme, Connecticut.  Over a period of two days we raised over $500 selling Organic Fair Trade Nicaragua “Wiwilli” and Guatemala “La Voz”, freshly roasted by Carol Dahlke.  Dahlke is the owner and roastmaster of Ashlawn Farm Coffee, and an avid and generous supporter of “Cup” since its beginnings.  The market’s promotion of the fundraiser brought people from all over the state to support the cause.  I believe our pictures and stories of the communities we are assisting encouraged and enlightened people to the needs of the children.  Cup For Education is planning to use the monies for the purchase of books to create libraries for the schools we are working with in Nicaragua and Guatemala.

January 2004: Guatemala Trip

On a trip to Guatemala in January 2004, Cup For Education discovered new stories, and new communities for whom the organization could make a difference.  Visiting with a fair trade cooperative, and Rainforest Alliance Finca, we saw the fruits of their hard work and sustainable practices; successful schools, with happy children, loving and caring teachers.  However, one thing remained painfully clear, supplies were lacking.  I saw no books, maps, or other educational tools for the teachers to use.  They must rely on their training, and love of teaching to educate the students.  Whether it be simple personal hygiene, or reading and arithmetic, these teachers were clear that they loved to teach, and they loved the children.  One such teacher, at Finca Aurora, Narumarta, was furthering her training and education on the weekends, hours away from the community.  Coop La Voz uses some of their funds to send their kids on to higher education.  In doing so, they ensure their return to the community to share their newfound knowledge. 

Knowledge is power, and books are an invaluable source of knowledge.  This visit has engrained Cup’s mission even more.  We are going to put a library in each of these communities, as well as two more at schools at fair trade coops in Nicaragua.

May 2004: Project Safe Passage

Safe Passage is a non-profit organization in Guatemala.  They are a school that is just outside the city and serves children of  families who have been displaced from coffee in this time of crisis.  Cup for Education donated a library table and chairs for the school.