By Rod and Sherry Boyd

Although many of you are in the deepfreeze, we’re in the middle of summer here in Panama!  Our teachers have had their month of vacation and are back in school.  We have a special seminary coming up next week.  Our high schools will begin classes the end of February.  Our elementary schools will start the second week of March.  Are we ready?  Not yet.

Our greatest challenge is to provide the necessary classrooms and provide them on time.  Of course, it’s more a matter of money than time!  I read a news report a few months ago about school construction in the United States.  There was $12.5 billion dollars budgeted to build 500 new schools throughout the US.  That is $25 million dollars per school!  If there were 1,000 students in each of those schools the cost is $25,000 per student.  I was thinking about what we could build with $25 million dollars here in Panama.  At most, we spend at most about $500 per student.  The same school for 1,000 students would cost about $500,000 here in Panama, about 2% of what it costs in the States.  That means we could build 50 schools in Panama for what it costs to build one school in the States! 

What is the difference?  Certainly the cost of construction is less.  Labor is much less.  Our workers earn an average of about $2.00 per hour.  The greatest difference is size and austerity.  Our classrooms are much smaller than US classrooms.  At times we put 35 students in a 15 x 25 foot room.  And it is so basic—block walls, decorative block for windows, concrete floors, tin roofs.  Basic.  Excluding an office, restrooms, labs, etc., we can build a classroom at about $250 per student.

Following is an update on our three most pressing projects.  We’re grateful that we have two teams that will be arriving in February and March.  Their help is desperately needed.  But it is not enough.  As you read the following update, please open your heart and ask the Lord if He would have you help.  Just in these three schools, and there are others who are asking for help, we need an additional $27,500 to finish the work.  Think of it as providing a classroom for 100 more students!

Las Mananitas High School

• Amount needed:  $12,500

• Adding 12^th grade classroom; second 9^th grade classroom; director’s office; second-story flooring system

• New students expected:  60

A second-story flooring system was built to prepare for next year’s construction needs.  This system is much more expensive than single-story construction.  A new electrical service must be installed for current and future needs.  We’re grateful for offerings and construction team provided by Wenatchee First Assembly of God and Spokane New Life Assembly.

Click here to see additional photos.

Canaan Elementary School (Santa Librada)

• Amount needed:  $10,000

• Adding three new classrooms; second-story flooring system for future chapel

• New students expected:  90

School enrollment has exploded at Canaan.  The school started in 1997 with 55 children.  Enrollment in 1999 was 260.  The school has already registered 350 for this year!  A second-story flooring system is being built so that a chapel can be built for next year.  A construction team from Portland Christian Center will be arriving in February to finish the three classrooms.

Click here to see additional photos.

Jireh Elementary School

• Amount needed:  $5,000

• Adding one new classroom for 3^rd grade

• New students expected:  30

Jireh started in 1997 with 22 kindergartners.  One grade has been added the last two years.  At least one classroom is needed for third grade.  Enrollment is expected to reach at least 120.

If you can help, please send your offering to:

Division of Foreign Missions
LACC Panama Account 848115, Class 60
1445 Boonville Ave.
Springfield, MO  65802

We would appreciate knowing about your offering.  Please complete the form below and submit it to us.  This will help us to know help is on the way!  Even if you can’t send in your offering immediately, there is a place for you to make a faith promise to help with construction.  In advance, thank you for your help. 

HELP IS ON THE WAY!

Additional Las Mananitas Photos
Additional Canaan Photos