Armenia, March,1999
Gimnasio Inglés, which is located in Armenia, Colombia, is an institution that had 460 students from Kinder to grade 9. Gimnasio Inglés is a private, non-profit, co-educational Institution that offers bilingual education (K-9) to students of all nationalities regardless of race or creed. The school has official accreditation from the Colombian Ministry of Education and is in the process of obtaining accreditation by SACS.
On Monday, January 25th, 1999, an earthquake that took only 32 seconds destroyed most of the city of Armenia. Even though we suffered no human loss among our students, teachers, parents or employees, our institution suffered great financial losses due to a complete disruption of the parent’s ability to pay their children’s tuition fees. Gimnasio Ingles relies almost entirely on tuition fees for its continued operation. At this time the outlook for the future is dark and uncertain.
Many of the parents lost their offices, businesses and work places, devastated by the fury of nature. Many of them, in the midst of their anguish, have come to my office asking for some kind of support. They want to find a way to continue sending their children to this school, which they consider the best in town. Regarding the economic standards of this region, our school is considered expensive. However, parents always did their best to keep their payments up to date. They firmly believe that Gimnasio Ingles offers the children the preparation needed to face the challenges of today's world.
Today, over a month after the disaster, the future of our institution is still uncertain. The seventy-three families of our employees, whose income depends on the continuation of the school, watch with a sense of helplessness as their jobs and their life aspirations crumble and fall apart.
The operation of Gimnasio Inglés is funded by the payment of fees for school services. The monthly fees for a student are: tuition US$ 146, restaurant US$ 36 and transportation US$ 29. Although we have this very limited income, our school has managed to build a beautiful site that offers the essential facilities needed for modern and progressive educational practices. All of us - students, parents, teachers and administrators - feel very proud of what we have achieved in only seven years of work.
In order to help solve the temporary financial crisis that is affecting parents, active steps are being taken to guarantee the continued existence and operation of our school. The Board of Directors has thought about the possibility of obtaining donations from other families or institutions that appreciate the kind of bilingual education this school offers. We hope that there might be families with the financial capabilities of bearing the educational costs of (an additional student?) until the economic situation of the latter is clarified.
In order to alleviate the severe financial stress that ensued as a result of the earthquake, our school has created a Fund of Solidarity. It will be ruled and closely monitored by an approved set of statutes and by an Administration Committee, presided by the school Director, with representatives from the Board, the Parents Association, the teachers and the administrators. It will provide all the necessary access to information about the administration of the funds and it will guarantee that the money is used to help those families who really need it.
I am enclosing more information about our school, which will provide further knowledge about its characteristics, operation, and focus. We will deeply appreciate all you can for us to help guarantee the continued existence of Gimnasio Ingles in Armenia. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. Please share this information with whomever you consider might be of help in obtaining the assistance and cooperation we are seeking.
Sincerely,
Jaime A. Urazan
School Director
Please deposit your donation at:
Bancafe
Oficina 205
Cuenta #079-50043-5
Fundacion Gimnasio Ingles
Nit 800106 488-9
Earthquake Report
Gimnasio Ingles Profile
Photos
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