PANACAM - CORTES, HONDURAS

Just off the main high way that runs through north central Honduras lies a small rural community called Panacam. Several social projects have recently been completed in the area to help the poor residents have fresh water and electricity. Until now, education had been a side note. The students were forced to move their classrooms from house to house throughout the community to find a place to learn. SCW decided to help the community realize their dream of a dedicated school facility for their children.

A partnership agreement was created between SCW, the Panacam community, the municipal government, the national government, and other non-profit organizations to get the project underway.

The community had little money to put toward the new facility, but they were able to supply manual labor and food for the workers. The municipality donated the land and paid for the skilled labor. The national government supplied the furniture, and SCW paid for the building materials. Heart to Honduras helped transport the building materials from the seller to the site. It was a group effort in every sense.

The school was designed for 150 students. All of the sidewalks are on-grade for handicap accessibility. It has four regular classrooms and one kinder with attached play area. It was also designed with a multi-purpose room that could serve as library, cafeteria, large group area, and community hall. The school design also made room for a covered play area, principal's office, teacher work room, storage room, and kitchen.

The July 2004 Education Team helped dig the foundation and the February 2005 Education Team helped with the finishing touches and dedicated the school on February 16, 2005. The school, even more beautiful than its design renderings, was dedicated by a community celebration of more than 350 people. It was a beautiful day that the community, students, and North American team members will always remember.

The students are now using the school and are finally able to have permanent classrooms where they can focus on learning and growing.