I know I’ve said some general Thank You’s throughout these posts, and have been updating my GoFundMe site also… but I wanted to dedicate a special post to everyone that donated to my fund for Franklin and for the Eco-Escuela Simataucca in Peru.
I want you to understand just how big of a difference your money made.
As a recap… here are all the things we were able to purchase/do with the money:
Re-painted the entire school – the exterior, kitchen, bathrooms, and classrooms
Replaced 25 broken or missing windows with new ones
New cleaning supplies (broom, hand soap, towels, sponges, towel holders, liquid soap containers, dish washing brushes)
New piping and handles installed for their sinks
New locks for all of their doors and windows — still need to be installed
New volleyballs
New art supplies (markers, colored pencils)
New toothpaste for the kids
New lightbulbs for their kitchen
Food for their kitchen for some cooking lessons (like the chocolate chip banana pancake lesson!) 🙂
Re-cemented several walls that were crumbling/falling apart
Nice new white button-up shirts for every kid to be left at school, and worn for special occasions
Tools to build an entire new playground out of wood and tires, and paint to make it pretty!
All tools and materials to completely remodel and fix their awful bathrooms. This work just started as of May 19th, after I was already back. Can’t wait to go see them when they’re done 🙂
New shoes, sweatshirts (2), socks, underwear for Franklin
Here’s my favorite part: WE ARE PAYING FOR FRANKLIN TO GO TO SCHOOL!! This now 17-year-old boy was dealt some horrible, horrible cards in life. His severe-alcoholic parents abandoned him and his siblings at a very young age, and without going into details, he has survived through a LOT. I can’t imagine living through some of the things he has gone through… And yet he has remained the kindest, hardest working kid in the world… Always greeted me with a huge smile, and big hug. Franklin will always have a special place in my heart and be my “hermanito” (little brother), so the fact that we were able to help him get the chance to make a better life for himself, makes my life feel complete. The school director, Pati, has drilled the importance of education into his brain, and he is beyond ecstatic about this opportunity. He even missed the 25th anniversary party to go to class. Trust me, he will NOT let this go to waste!!
Another thing I must mention is that all the professional services (such as piping installation, re-cementing, some of the re-painting) were done by local professionals, such as one of my favorite little boy Abel’s dad. What that means is your money helped (and is still helping) not just the kids and their school, but their families and the local economy as whole. How cool is that?? 🙂 🙂 🙂
So, without further ado, MUCHÍSIMAS GRACIAS to the following people who donated to my GoFundMe site!!!:
My mom, dad, and sister for all donating AND sharing the link several times!!
Mary Pfeiffer
Chris Hopkins
Gail Hertig
Caroline Basley
Diane Krueger
Wendy Schmitt
Nick Crocker
Devin Barta
Jayme Kruse Cordie
Anil Shah
Julian Palacios
Amy Jacobsen
Katy Augustyn
John B
Diana Conway
The Grant Kids (Kerri Hulen :))
Neil O’Mara
Lindsay Herlache
Austin Taylor
Michelle Skoug
Liz, Jon and Parker Adam
Cortney Pyne
Brittany Mallas
Greg Wittek
Cian Chase
Madeline Werner
Jenny Justen
Pat Aleshire
Carina Bista
Kristen Jimenez
Catie Maloney
Ann Jimenez
Jeanne Psket
Erica Rucker
Lauren Buck
Julianne O’Keefe
Grace Geiser
Matt & Heidi Bagnisch (hahaha)
Pat Geiser
Miguel Bultmann
Heidi & James Glover
Charmain Shannon
Kathy Donovan
Jen Erdman
Diana Conway
Noah Welshans
Kathy & Jim Hurst
Laura Edeburn
Melissa Alexander
Whether you are an old high school friend, friend of my family’s, old co-worker, person I met randomly selling stuff online, yoga teacher, family I haven’t seen in forever, book club members with my mom… I can’t thank you enough for your generosity.
The kids and teachers surprised me with a sign that said “Gracias Emily” on my last day, and sang a song… It was El Perdon but they ended it with the following words:
“Emily Breeden, haciendo historia en Simataucca” = Emily Breeden, making history in Simataucca.
I had to laugh between the tears because, who would have thought such a difference could be made in such a short amount of time? That’s the magic of what your money did for them. This sign in their kitchen says my name but is really meant for all of you. Thank you, for the millionth time! And please listen to “El Perdón” and imagine the kids singing it for you… Yes, I have videos and will upload them once I figure out how to make them small enough for this site 😛
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