March 2009 - Montessori School

I mentioned in a previous newsletter that I would tell you more about our Montessori school at the Food Bank in Juarez, Mexico (some of the children are pictured above). For many years we have had a little kindergarten for the children who live in the area around the Food Bank. It has been run by volunteer women who do a great job teaching the children ages 3-5.

Last year the Lord sent Adriana Almanza to help us improve the quality of education these little ones are receiving. Adriana is a certified Montessori teacher who was educated at one of the finest Montessori colleges in the world, in Monterrey, Mexico, and was employed as a teacher at a prestigious Montessori school for seven years. Adriana loved her work with the children but felt like the Lord was calling her to work with the poor. So she quit her job and came to volunteer with us for a year. She was delighted to find out that we have a kindergarten and that she could use her skills and talents in helping there. She began training the volunteer teachers in the Montessori Method, and she also got the school she used to work at to donate cases and cases of materials for the children.

Adriana also worked with the parents to get them more involved with the education of their sons and daughters. She wants the parents to reinforce at home what the children are being taught at school. “Your children are receiving a top-quality education for free,” she tells them. “Now you need to do your part!”

Adriana will be leaving us this month but we hope to continue and expand the good work that she did. We have plans to open up another classroom so that next year we can accept more children into this beautiful school.