The Situation
Now in its fourth year, the John Wesley School has over 200 students enrolled in grades 1 – 9. Next year, grade 10 will be added. Student enrolment is well ahead of projections, and the John Wesley School currently operates in two sessions to accommodate the numbers: a morning session for “Primaria” (grades 1- 6), and an afternoon session for “Básico” (grades 7 - 9). But space is already limited, and this arrangement will not easily contain next year’s student body. Additional classrooms are needed for the 2009 school year for “Carrera” students (grades 10 – 12).

The Plan
The John Wesley School is situated on the former site of the Hogar del Niño orphanage in downtown Santa Cruz. Its location on a city block provides no room for horizontal expansion. The expansion project, therefore, includes adding a second level to one wing of the school to provide space for grades 10 – 12.

The project is divided into two phases. Phase 1 included demolition and reconstruction of the first level to accommodate the second level; Phase 2 includes construction of the second level. Phase 1 was completed in January, 2008. Phase 2 is projected to cost approximately $120,000. The phase 2 construction effort is scheduled to take place between school sessions (November 2008 - January 2009). Because of the relatively brief construction schedule, this will not be primarily a work-team project; local construction workers will be employed to get the job done quickly.

How You can Help
Pura Vida is seeking support in any of the following areas. If you are able to provide any of the needed support, contact us.

Direct Financial Support – There’s no need to send money now, but if you, your company, employer, or organization would like to pledge financial support, please let us know how much money you will donate. We expect to request donations around August, but want to determine the extent of additional fundraising that may be required. Donations will be made through Pura Vida, a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit.

Volunteer Fundraisers – If additional fundraising is required, we need volunteers to plan and conduct those activities. While a few ideas have been discussed, we intend to form a committee from among volunteers to finalize the plans and see them through. If you would like to participate in fundraising activities for the John Wesley School, please send us your contact information and let us know whether you are available to participate on a planning committee. Please feel free to provide other details you consider helpful to our use of your volunteer time.

Sponsoring Organizations – We welcome your Sunday school class, small group, church, club, or organization to become a sponsor of the John Wesley School. Individually organized fundraising activities and periodic offerings are but a couple of ways your group can help. We would be happy to provide guest speakers as we are able and additional information about the John Wesley School to assist your efforts. We intend to focus particularly on finding a distinguished sponsor who will provide half or more of the necessary funds. Two members representing this sponsor will be invited to attend the opening ceremonies of the new facility in early January 2009.

Prayer Support – We invite each of you to include the John Wesley School, its faculty, and students in your prayers. If you desire to receive periodic updates regarding the status of this effort to thereby focus your prayer support more directly, please provide us with an email address to which we can send progress reports.