Projects: Dr. Theo Bloem school

Assistance in the operation of the Dr Theo Bloem School

In 2002 two members of our Board (Theo Bloem and Josée Jaspers) visited Guatemala. What struck them
was that so many young people were ‘hanging out’ in the streets. They wondered why they were not in
school. It turns out that there is mandatory school attendance in Guatemala but if there are no
schools available, then that’s the end of it. Thus the idea was born to build a school right there.
When Dr. Bloem’s sister in law visited a few months later she started teaching some English words to
children in Vitalino Cuca’s (our contact person) backyard. The children found it very interesting and
the next day more children came. When she left Guatemala after 2 weeks 20 children had been showing
up for lessons every morning. A short time later, a Dutch volunteer went to Guatemala to teach for
three months, first in Cuca’s backyard and later in an improvised school consisting of planks and
corrugated tin sheets for a roof. The number of students grew to 80! That’s when Flor Ayuda sprung
into action to build a new school as part of an integral development project with cooperation of
“Wilde Ganzen/ICCO”.

The new school was completed in May 2005. Two hundred children had enlisted. In 2006 there were
already 360. After completion of an additional 2nd floor in 2007 a total of 400 children are
receiving elementary education.

Many parents, especially single mothers, cannot afford to pay the regular tuition. In the future the
government might subsidize the teacher salaries but that will be based on a ratio of 60 students to
one teacher, this is the average class size in Guatemala. The Dr Bloem School introduced a new
educational system which is based on a class size of 30 students. The children are stimulated to
actively participate in their own development. The parents are also actively involved in their
children’s education.

What you can do?
You can provide the actual means for a child to be enrolled in the school by financing the school
costs and you will receive information about the child’s achievements. To this end we have set up a
special program called “Account for One Child”. For EUR 200 a year you ‘adopt’ a child financially.
This covers tuition, uniforms, shoes, books and other school supplies and a portion of personnel
costs. Of course you can elect to sponsor a child for one year but we would prefer to offer a child
the opportunity to finish elementary school and avoid dropouts. We hope that you will offer to
sponsor a child for several years. It is very satisfying to know that a similar program has been
started in Guatemala whereby well-to-do people can financially adopt a less fortunate child.

If you would prefer to donate only once or would want to aid our scholarship program for a smaller
amount you can make a bank transfer to Flor Ayuda.

Information on bank account:
IBAN: NL55FVLB0225563215
BIC: FVLBNL22
Stichting Flor Ayuda
Goirle.

If you would want to ‘financially adopt’ a child for EUR 200 a year, we will send you a form to fill
out and you will receive a picture of the child that will have a chance for a better future through
your generosity.

What is the payoff?
The payoff is a future for children who otherwise would be condemned to a life of poverty. All
parents wish for a better future for their children, children are intrinsically eager to learn and
they have the capacity to do so, but his won’t happen without education

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