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The Reconstruction of La Escuela Esteban Guardiola

by | May 13, 2021 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

La Lima Inc. has been helping to restore the historic La Escuela Esteban Guardiola, a school that has been educating the children of La Lima for over 90 years. With the help of our donors, local volunteers have made great strides in preparing the school to once again serve the La Lima community.   

Esteban Guardiola Mixed School (EMEG) was founded in 1930 by the Tela Railroad Company, a subsidiary of United Brands. Until it passed into the hands of the state in 1985, it was the largest and one of the best schools in the country. Over 100 generations of Honduran children have been educated here, and many have gone on to college and succesful careers.

Although the school was designated as a National Heritage of Education and Culture in 2015, it has sustained heavy damage from both weather and years of neglect. It was used as a shelter for hundreds of families left homeless by hurricanes Eta and Iota.

Watch this video for an overview of the school and how we are helping.

THE CHALLENGE

Before the school can be ready to educate students again, a number of issues must be addressed:

  • The roof has sustained significant damage, caused by falling trees and wind.
  • The ceilings in many of the classrooms and other areas have been damaged by trees, water, and general neglect. This is a key problem that must be resolved before new classroom equipment and technology can be brought in.
  • The floors also have holes and other damage that requires repair.
  • The outdoor spaces of the school have been covered in a thick layer of hardened mud.
  • All areas must be cleaned and years of refuse removed.

A thick layer of dried mud was left on the school’s outdoor areas and patio.

The school’s roof has sustained significant damage.

The ceilings must be repaired before classrooms can be used again.

The school must be cleared of mud, trash, and other refuse.

THE SOLUTION

Teachers, parents, alumni, community members, and other local people have been working hard to clean up La Escuela Esteban Guardiola. La Lima Inc. is helping provide the tools, materials, and other resources they need to continue this work. 

Volunteers are cleaning up the dried mud.

La Lima community members are pitching in to help.

The mud has been cleared from the courtyard.

Most of the mud and debris have been removed from the patio.

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!

As we continue to restore this essential community resource, funding is desperately needed. Repairing the roof and ceilings is the first priority. Visit our home page to find out how you can help!