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Tortuguero Rotary Grant

Presented by

Robert A. Gonzalez

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Introduction

The purpose of this presentation is to provide you with information regarding your “Tortuguero School Project.”

I am Bob Gonzalez, retired DJUSD Music Educator of 36 years, 32 years in Davis.

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Topics

Tortuguero A) Location and People B) Pictures of the area C) Circumstances

Present Grade and High School Needs vs Request Proposal for Rotary Project Present Developments

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Tortuguero – Location and People

The region surrounding Tortuguero is called the Tortuguero Plain, which is a vast low lying area of little topographic relief still covered by a large expanse of tropical rainforest.

The small village of Tortuguero (translated as "Region of Turtles") lies on the northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, approximately 50 miles north of the principle Port of Limon.

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Tortuguero – Location and People, continued

There are only two ways of getting into Tortuguero – by airplane or boat. There are no roads leading into the village due to the network of rivers, lagoons, and the Tortuguero Canal.

The village is comprised of a variety of many different cultures including Hispanic, Miskito Indian (Nicaragua), and Afro-Caribbean. Both Spanish and Creole English are spoken.

At most points, the land is less than 984 feet wide.

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TORTUGUERO

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Tortuguero

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04/13/23 10OCEAN

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Economics of the Village Most of the adults work for the tourist industry in the

hotels as cooks, housekeepers, and river guides. There are several souvenir shops and 4 small grocery

stores. The biggest physical problems in the village are main-

taining a water supply and getting rid of the trash. The younger generation needs to increase their level

of education and continue into college. Staying in the village will also saturate the job market if they stay.

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Present Circumstances

Many students arrive to school in small motor boats.

There is one large building that houses the K-6 students.

A block building of 2 rooms is being “lent” to the secondary school for 7th – 10th grades.

Land was donated for a new secondary campus by an individual.

04/13/23 14Elementary School

High School

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Barra de Tortuguero Grade/High School

Principal/Director:  Don Manuel

Pre-Kindergarten - 18 Kindergarten- 15 1- 32 2- 25 3- 24 4- 18 5- 21 6- 14 7- 13

No. of Elementary students __167__

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Elementary School

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White Tops = Elementary Student

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Present High School Housed in a two room block house 7th – 13 8th – 11 9th – 11 10th – 10 (1st year) Total number – 45 students

A state test is given to 6th graders. If they do not pass, they have two more chances to take the test. If they still don’t pass they can go to a private school to continue if they have the money. Otherwise, that is the end of their education.

04/13/23 19Elementary School

High School

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High School

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Outside of Present Classrooms

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Number of Teachers There are five teachers in the grade school for Pre-

Kinder - 6th grade and four teachers in the high school (7-10th Grade.) There are also two Peace Corp Volunteers.This is the first year that 10th grade has been taught.

They have petitioned the Government for one more teacher for the 11th grade.  However the government has made it clear that they would receive an 11th grade teacher only if they have the proper facilities. Students graduate after the 11th grade.

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Peace Corp Volunteers

After both graduated from college, they worked at great jobs with Ryan working as a CPA for 4 years in Nebraska

Ryan & Christy Fiala – from Nebraska

Married for 4 years.

Graduates of the University of Nebraska.

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Requested A New High School

Security Fence (Required by State) $ 5,400 Prefab Classrooms $20, 590 Multi-use playing area for sports $10,500

Total $36,490

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Funds Received So Far Brownell-Talbot School, Dallas, Texas $4000 Sale of DVD’s - Church in Colorado $1500 Local village government, money

available in March, 2006 $4000 Land Donated $ Priceless TOTAL $9500

Needed $36,490 - $9,500 = $26,990

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Other Groups Participating Knights of Columbus of Wahoo,

and St. Leo's Chapter in Omaha Kiwanis Club of Fremont Davis High Madrigals the University of Costa Rica Costa Rica Rotary Club and the Davis California Rotary

Club

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Donated Land

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Davis Rotary

Grant Proposal

To provide funding for the construction of a new High School.

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Cost of Construction

Prefab Classrooms $20, 590– Consists of

5 classrooms, a small kitchen/dining area, a small administration office, boys and girls bathrooms, and a room for a computer lab.

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Construction … continued …

The village will supply some materials and provide the labor to build all the walls.

The rest of the building (roof, electrical installation and floor) is not included in this price as are desks, chalk boards, etc.

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Present Developments

On October 21, 2005, a fence was completed around the school site.

The ROOF – Material has been donated from the National Park Service from lumber confiscated from poachers.

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Present Developments

On Dec. 2, Rotarian Jose Quirce met at the University of Costa Rica campus at the Escuela de Arquitectura to meet with architect Jose Villarreal and 3 graduate students, the President/Treasurer of the Tortuguero Junta de Educcacion, and Ryan Fiala, Peace Corps Volunteer.

On December 20, a meeting was held of all the hotels in the area to coordinate and plan on days that workmen would help construct the school till it is finished.

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See roof at top right

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Rotary Contributions Davis Rotary $5700 District Rotary (100%) $5700 International Rotary (150%) $8550 TOTAL $19,950. Note – Donations needed to match the Rotary’s $2500

contribution = $2150 $5700 - $2500 (Rotary) - $1050 (Other

Donations) Equals (=‘s) $2150 still needed.

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Secondary Students

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Donations Accepted Mail your checks to

The Rotary Club of Davis PO Box 185Davis, CA  95617

Checks should be made out to “Rotary Charities”

and designate it to the “Tortuguero Project.”

There is also a request for donations for this project on the Peace Corps website at http://www.peacecorps.gov/

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Peace Corps Information To read about the project, go to www.peacecorps.

gov and follow these procedures: 1. Click on “Donate Now” on left hand side of

screen. 2. Click on “Latin America”. 3. Under Costa Rica, click on “R.C. Fiala” *At this point you will find a description of the

project and instructions on how you can donate.

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