Transforming Young Lives
Today, we shine a spotlight on the DERTOUR Foundation’s 10-year anniversary, focusing on the partnership with the Reiner Meutsch Foundation FLY & HELP. Together, we are dedicated to improving education through the renovation project of the “Juan Manuel Viamonte” elementary school in Cuba.
Transforming Education: The Renovation of “Juan M. Viamonte” Elementary School
In the vibrant city of Camagüey, nestled in the heart of Cuba, lies the “Juan Manuel Viamonte” elementary school, a cornerstone of the community since the 1970s. Over the years, this institution has seen generations of children pass through its doors, each one learning and growing within its classrooms.
Over the years, the building began to show signs of wear. The electrical and sanitary facilities needed repairs. The roof, meant to protect from the rain, needed fixing. Despite the Cuban state’s efforts to support social institutions, economic constraints made renovations impossible.
Camaquito, recognizing the need for help, partnered with the Education Directorate of Camagüey Province to renovate the school. They aimed to repair the electrical and sanitary facilities, insulate the roof, restore the floors, replace windows and doors, and paint the classrooms. The renovation costs totalled USD 50,000, about 37,300 euros. This included USD 25,000 for new doors and windows, USD 10,000 for sanitary facilities, USD 10,000 for building materials like plaster and paint, and USD 5,000 for electronics such as cables, lamps, and sockets. The Cuban state agreed to cover the personnel costs and roof insulation expenses.
The Education Directorate of Camagüey Province took charge of the project’s execution, ensuring quality and timely completion. With Cuba’s skilled specialists and a dedicated construction company overseeing the work, the school began to transform.
Walls were painted, new windows allowed light into the classrooms, and repaired facilities provided a safe environment for learning. These changes sparked a renewed sense of pride and hope in the community.
Changing Lives: Interview with Pupil and Teacher
Yenny Thalía García Vidal, now a teenager, attended the “Juan Manuel Viamontes” school during the time when the Reiner Meutsch Foundation made significant contributions. Currently in the 9th grade, Thalía recounts her experience.
“I was six years old when the foundation came to our school,” Thalía recalls. “I was in first grade. Now, I’m in ninth grade, getting ready to study at the pre-university.”
She remembers the excitement vividly: “I was little, but I remember when they took pictures of us and brought us computers. Imagine being a six-year-old with a computer! It was very exciting and really helped my development.” Thalía and her classmates were curious about the computers. “We wondered what we would do with them—watch cartoons, play games? We had so many questions.” The computers were used for educational purposes. “There was software for stories and subjects. We watched videos related to our classes. It was very educational.”
Thalía appreciates the foundation’s support. “I am very thankful to the Reiner Meutsch Foundation. They made our classroom happy and gave us better conditions to learn. Thanks to them, I developed a passion for computers. I want to study Computer Engineering at the University of Camagüey. The foundation encouraged this dream.”
The foundation’s impact through the eyes of a third-grade teacher
“I was teaching third grade when the foundation came,” she says. “The director called us to meet the people making the donation. They brought so many things—cement, roofing, windows, even toilet seats for the children. They also gave us chocolates and cookies. We met weekly to check on the school’s progress. The government was involved too.”
She continues, “When they started bringing in the equipment, the children were so excited. Tears came to their eyes. I still remember the emotions. Thanks to the foundation, we now have computers and other resources that we use for our classes. It has made a big difference in our teaching.”
Reflecting on the long-term impact, she adds, “The computers and other technologies have been very helpful; we use them for our classes and even for teacher trainings. The foundation’s contribution has truly been worthwhile.”