Getting to Know Jose Angel Ulloa Elementary School
We’re so excited to get started on installing a library at Jose Angel Ulloa Elementary School next week! This is one of a couple updates we’ll send you over the next year to tell you the specific story of Ulloa.
Our journey with Jose Angel Ulloa Elementary School began in October 2024 when the school was selected. From the start, we were deeply moved by the unwavering support from teachers and parents—especially a dedicated group of mothers eager to enhance their children's education.
Though the school has humble roots, it stands as a powerful testament to the strength of community-driven initiatives. They have consistently grown: when founded, the classes were held in neighborhood living rooms. Through grassroots efforts from the staff and families, the school space was gradually adapted for the construction of concrete classrooms, but they had to be demolished because the educational center is located in a geological fault zone. This led to the construction of wooden classrooms to provide children with a safe space to receive their lessons. Now ready and excited for the prospects of having their own library, this community showed a determination to bring this project to fruition, and were present and vocal about how much effort they were willing to put in to make this library a reality for their children.
Located in Tegucigalpa, the school serves 20 teachers and 353 students, many of whom face the harsh realities of extreme poverty and challenges related to migration (family separation, school absence, etc.). Infrastructure remains a significant hurdle as well—until recently, even the school’s bathrooms required repairs to be functional. Though most classrooms are built from wood due to the instability of the land the school is on, 3 cinder block rooms have been constructed, and one will soon house a brand-new library, ensuring that books remain protected from the elements for generations to come.
With the generosity of our donors and volunteers, we are providing 750 books and the essential materials to install and personalize a fully equipped library at Jose Angel Ulloa Elementary School. Our Chispa team has been working closely with school leaders to establish a Library Committee, empowering teachers, parents, and administrators to create policies, schedules, and strategies to maximize the use of their library. Just this week, they participated in our "Lighting the Spark with Literacy" training program on how to ignite a passion for reading among their students. You can see some of the pictures of these workshops and training sessions attached below!
Next week, from February 16 to 23, we are thrilled to welcome a dedicated group of volunteers, including members of the West Michigan Rotary Clubs from District 6290. These volunteers will be hands-on in transforming the space—painting murals, cataloging books, and engaging in cultural exchange with students and staff. The impact of this project will be felt for years to come, creating an enduring legacy of learning and opportunity.
You can follow our progress as we continue fundraising for this school at: www.chispaproject.org/rotarylibrary.
