Alta Bancroft raises $250 to purchase books for students in Costa Rica

Students and staff in the Rainbow District School Board’s Alta Bancroft Program have raised $250 to provide books for hundreds of children and young people in Costa Rica.

“Thousands of Costa Rican children go to school without textbooks,” says Principal Paul Camillo. “The staff and students of Alta Bancroft welcomed the opportunity to participate in the ‘Libros para todos’ (Books for All) project which helps to make books available to students in need.”

For more information about the Books for All campaign, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEOS0hnDAcU.

He adds: “We are happy to announce that we have successfully raised enough money to provide books in all subject areas to students in Grades 1, 2 and 3 of Escuela Sabana Larga in Atenas, Costa Rica.  The local printer provided books at cost.”

Atenas is located in one of the primary coffee growing regions of the country.  The school population includes the children of many migrant workers from neighbouring Nicaragua.

Many of the workers who arrive for the coffee harvest are accompanied by their families. In hopes of a better life for their families, many remain long after the harvest.  The schools, therefore, face enrolment increases and struggle to meet the needs of all of their students.

“The staff and students of Alta Bancroft would like to thank everyone who helped to support this fundraising effort,” say teachers Gilles Prevost and Dona Aubin. A draw for a new iPod shuffle, courtesy of Wayne Fraser of Softub Canada, was held as part of the campaign. The winner was Denise Trudeau of Lively.  Congratulations!

Alta Bancroft is an alternative program for secondary school students ages 14 to 16 who benefit from the non-traditional learning environment. Students receive assistance to develop personal, interpersonal and academic skills. The school’s motto is "From Challenges to Opportunities".

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Media Contact:
Paul Camillo, Principal, Alta Bancroft Program,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-524-5490.