Festivities were in order this past January as the village of La Tejera inaugurated three new classrooms built by Wells of Hope. A 45 minute drive from Campo Esperanza along winding dirt roads, La Tejera is a typical mountain village. Most of the inhabitants rely on small crops of corn, beans and coffee to sustain their families. This year’s crop was depleted by a severe drought over the summer which cut the harvest by more than half. Even with these challenges volunteers cleared the land and moved water, sand and bricks, as skilled tradesmen worked alongside Wells of Hope team members through November and December to construct classrooms that will help serve the school of over 300 students.
On inauguration day, school children, parents and village leaders gathered under sunny skies. Festivities included a ribbon cutting, folkloric music and dance, and a banquet. Wells of Hope Board Member Frank Memme received a plaque of commendation for his work, along with plaques on behalf of two other Wells of Hope project coordinators Ben Obdeyn and Ed Opdam. 
Frank went on to share some words of challenge and congratulations with the community encouraging them to be good stewards of the fruit of their labor. He also stressed the importance of education, ” with a good education you’ll have have new opportunities , and your lives will be better than they are today”. Following local tradition, Frank was then put to work carving the Chicken!
Special thanks to all our Wells of Hope donors who responded to the direct request made by the Principal of La Tejera School . You have literally made education a reality for thousands of Children in the mountains of Guatemala!