From: Bill Davis <billyd2319@gmail.com>
Seeking funding for Global Grant in Cucuta, Colombia
Dear friends in Dallas;
I am sure you are aware of the unbelievable conditions under which the citizens of Venezuela are “living”.
The Colombian City of Cucuta is on the border with VZ and is being overwhelmed by the influx of desperate Venezuelans crossing the border who are fleeing from hunger, lack of clean water, lack of electricity, lack of medicine, lack of jobs and lack of freedom and respect to human dignity.
Cucuta has a population of 830,000 and it estimated 80,000 Venezuelans are “living” in Cucuta.
Since Andy Smallwood introduced Gladys Maldonado from Cucuta, Colombia and myself at the Atlanta Convention three years ago we have implemented five Global Grants to help alleviate the increasing burden being placed on the city of Cucuta.
My wife and I visited Cucuta in September 2018 and I visited again in August 2019.
We are now undertaking a new Global Grant to help in a small way the crisis being inflicted on the facilities and teaching staff of these five schools in Cucuta.
The five schools have a student population of 4,351 which includes 530 students from VZ.
Date: Thu, Aug 20, 2020 at 12:16 AM
Subject: New Global Grant in Colombia #6
... now undertaking a new Global Grant to help in a small way the crisis being inflicted on the facilities and teaching staff of these five schools in Cucuta.
The five schools have a student population of 4,351 which includes 530 students from VZ.
Julio Perez Ferrero - 4 schools
San Miguel- 339 students
New Horizon – 1,275 students
Simon Bolivar - 519 students
Cundunamarca – 475 students
El Rodeo College – 1,743 students
Total five schools – 4,351 students
According to the Municipal Education Board there are some 9,899 young Venezuelans enrolled in schools in Cucuta an increase of 700 from the previous year.
Each of these schools is at capacity and has a waiting list.
However there are many young people who cannot attend school and it is these young people who will benefit from the radio station's project. The station will be able to benefit 18 thousand students and within them it is believed that half are Venezuelan.
The “radio station” will be able to help those who stay at home.
Gladys has met on several occasions with the teachers and school officials from these five schools and the teachers and Directors have identified the most urgent areas where Rotary can help.
Many of the students from VZ are “living” a considerable distance from the schools and transportation costs are beyond the ability to fund.
Utilizing a “school radio station” the schools will provide help to those who stay at home. The school station will facilitate internet connections for students and will allow direct links to programs of the Ministry of Education as well as material produced at the school.
In addition to the school radio station this project also contemplates the creation of two Science and Chemistry labs and two music workshops.
Project costs;
School station $10,580
Two science and chemistry labs including 15 laptops and 15 tablets - $33,490
Musical instruments to form two symphony orchestras $9,550*
Total $53,620
*When Joan and I visited one of the campuses in 2018 we were treated to an incredible musical performance by the students including one young female singer who belonged on Broadway in my opinion.
Gladys Maldonado and her R.C. of San Jose de Cucuta will serve as the Host Club and the R. C. of League City in Texas will serve as the International partner.
I invite your district to join in this project with a contribution of DDF.
Sincerely,
Bill Davis
Rotary Cadre Technical Advisor
The Rotary Foundation
Scholarship Co-Chair D 5890
Member Rotary Club of Humble, Houston, Texas
Honorary Member Rotary Club of San Jose de Cucuta, Colombia
2319 River Rock Trail
Houston ,Texas 77345
281 543-4521