Daniel lives in San Pancho, He shares one single room with his parents and four brothers, some of them sleep on the floor because they don´t have enough beds for all of them.

 

Recordemos ser pacientes con el tráfico y la construcción y mantengamos la esperanza de que el camino se termine antes de que lleguen las lluvias.
 

In January, Entreamigos launched its first formal English program.  The English program offers children and adults of all ages the opportunity to learn English by attending regular classes taught by native English-speakers from the community.  In the past, the English language instruction offered by Entreamigos was sporadic and depended upon the individual initiative of members from the community.  With the new English program, Entreamigos aims to supplement the English classes taught in the middle school and provide a continuum of learning that starts as early as age five.  Classes are offered two days a week and are taught by native English-speaking volunteers from the community.  The English program endeavors to bridge the language barrier that exists in the San Pancho community and to help unite the different cultures that have come to inhabit the area.  

When registration began in early January, shortly after Entreamigos opened the doors at its new location, it was uncertain how much demand there would be by parents and individuals in the community.  The results, however, were conclusive.  There were over 50 individuals, mostly children and youth, who not only enrolled, but also successfully completed the first two-month course.  The vast majorities of those students have continued on into the second course and are gearing up to finish the course this week.  Entreamigos, with the participation of over 25 volunteers who provided classroom instruction, has collectively counted more than 400 hours of volunteer service since the program began in January. 

The success of the program has been overwhelmingly dependent upon the dedicated support of volunteers from the community.  The bonds of friendship and love that begin to take root between the students and their teachers is a positive sign that the foundation for a new community is being laid one block at a time by both teachers and students alike.  As one teacher recounts, "Now as I walk through my neighborhood, I am greeted by swarms of children bursting with enthusiasm, all shouting in unison, 'Hello teacher, how are you?'"  

With summer fast approaching and many of the volunteers of Entreamigos leaving to escape the season's heat and rains, the English teachers have been reluctant to go, comforted only by the promise that they will be able to continue with their classes upon their return in the fall.  As the English program picks up again in the fall, there will be an ever-present need for more individuals from the community to help out, either as teachers or classroom assistants.  For those who are interested in volunteering their time, no formal training is necessary, only a desire to serve. 

Over the summer months, Entreamigos will continue providing English classes for both children and adults.  The annual summer workshop series will begin on the 19th of July.  There will be English classes for children and youth, and various English workshops for adults that focus on the technical vocabulary needed to advance in certain careers, including nursing, construction, and hospitality.  If you are interested in attending a class or helping out as a volunteer, visit Entreamigos in person or contact the organizations via email at info@entreamigos.org.

Congratulations to all of those students who have participated in the program and a huge thanks to all of the volunteers who have made it possible!

Caminando por las calles de San Pancho, se puede oír los saludos familiares resonando, los niños  locales tratan de usar sus recién adquiridas habilidades en inglés, gritando a los que pasan "Hello, How are you? (Hola ¿Cómo estás?)" Los padres se llenan de alegría al escuchar a sus hijos hablando un idioma que ellos mismos luchan por comprender. Los niños en la comunidad de San Pancho no habían tenido acceso a la enseñanza del idioma Inglés hasta hace poco.