Hawken Helps Bring Technology to Small Town in Nicaragua
Eighteen months ago, 17 Hawken students and three chaperones travelled to Nicaragua to help build a school in a small town of Tipitapa called Villa Japón. For two weeks, we laid the foundation for three classrooms in a community once devastated by Hurricane Mitch.
Upon returning seven months ago, we were surprised to discover that not only did the Nicaraguans embrace the new school building, but they also gained a new sense of purpose. Enrollment increased from 250 students to 385 in just one year. Teachers were enthusiastic about the possibilities and the renewed sense of hope was focused into building a new learning resource center adjacent to the school building for after school programming.
Under the direction of Julian Guevara, the Seeds of Learning coordinator for the Tipitapa region, the goal to bring technology and the internet into this community was established. Fortunately DJ Carnage, a US based artist with Nicaraguan roots, arose to the occasion and helped fund the new learning resource center in Villa Japón which was completed on December 11, 2014. You can view photos at this website.
Fortunately, Hawken is now able to help furnish this location with technology. Through the efforts of Robby Gray and Alex Ashley, Hawken held a winter formal dance in the Smith Pool Lobby on Saturday, January 17, 2015. Nearly 100 students participated and danced the night away to the smooth sounds of DJs’ Evan Hill and Eddie Wilkins, Jr. You can view pictures of the dance at this website. From winter formal ticket sales and some extremely generous donations, Hawken School will be able to send $2000 to help fund the technology for the new resource learning center in Villa Japón. Seeds of Learning assured us that they will be able to purchase 10 tablets and internet service for a complete year.
Additionally, we will be hosting the 8th annual Battle of the Bands Benefit for Seeds of Learning on Friday, February 27 at 7pm in Kennedy Auditorium at the Upper School. We anticipate being able to send an additional $1500 to Villa Japón to help with resources for the center.
Additionally, we will be hosting the 8th annual Battle of the Bands Benefit for Seeds of Learning on Friday, February 27 at 7pm in Kennedy Auditorium at the Upper School. We anticipate being able to send an additional $1500 to Villa Japón to help with resources for the center.
We are extremely grateful for the efforts and donations of everyone in the Hawken community. Although we won’t be travelling to Nicaragua until at least 2016, we strengthened our relations with Seeds of Learning and opened up an impoverished community to an unlimited wealth of information. Education is the greatest gift that anyone can receive.
Sincerely,
Chad Komocki
Upper School Spanish, Math Teacher and Jazz Band Director
Sincerely,
Chad Komocki
Upper School Spanish, Math Teacher and Jazz Band Director
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Learning resource center in Villa Japón
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Learning resource center in Villa Japón
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Learning resource center in Villa Japón
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Hawken Winter Formal to benefit Seeds of Learning
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Hawken Winter Formal to benefit Seeds of Learning
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Hawken Winter Formal to benefit Seeds of Learning
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An independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school, toddler through grade 12
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Gries Center, 10823 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Early Childhood, Lower, and Middle Schools, 5000 Clubside Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Birchwood School of Hawken, 4400 West 140th Street, Cleveland, OH 44135
Upper School, PO Box 8002 (12465 County Line Rd), Gates Mills, OH 44040
Mastery School of Hawken, 11025 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Gries Center, 10823 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
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