QUEST
SCHOOL OF ENGLISH
Well
I am pleased to say our dream has now become a reality. On March 4th,
2010, we officially opened our first QUEST SCHOOL OF ENGLISH classroom
in San Juan Miraflores, Lima. Gkori and I worked for 35 days straight,
finalising the location, constructing the classroom, buying the
furniture, applying for the applicable licenses, designing and
finalising all the course brochures, textbooks, advertising and
administrative functions. It was perhaps the most intense 35 days I have
ever spent but as a testament to our hard work, we opened the school and
offered two free classes to children in the area.
As the
days and weeks passed, it was really quite amazing to see our dream
coming together and to be honest, when we offered the two free classes
and saw how happy the children were, it made all the hard work, trials
and tribulations worth it.
Currently,
three of the twelve programs are up and running with one class, our
Saturday Juniors program, already full. To date, four students have been
awarded scholarships through Hope Through Humanity. After one month in
operation, we are already at approximately 25% of student capacity which
is really very encouraging.
Opening
the school has also been a real eye opener for us. We had originally
designed the course schedule based on other English Schools in Lima but
quickly realised that in our immediate area, people have to work long hours and could not
necessarily attend classes held during the day. Incredibly, many people
are forced to work twelve hour days, five or six days a week. This forced us to
re-evaluate our course calendar and make some fundamental changes to our program schedules
by including a 9pm to 11pm class from Monday to Friday. It's hard to
imagine having to work a twelve hour day and then attend classes for an
additional two hours, five days a week, but it is a testament to
Peruvians who seem to redefine the words "Hard Work". We are also
offering private instruction to students who simply cannot fit their
work schedules around our program times.
Plans are already underway to expand the school and add a library area,
a study area, a small eating area, a second classroom, a teachers
resource room and a second bathroom. To see our existing school layout
and our future plans click here
QUEST SCHOOL
OF ENGLISH WEBSITE
We
have also completed the website for the school, available in both
Spanish and English. To access our website, click here
For the English version, simply scroll down the homepage and click
on the British Flag that is marked ENGLISH.
The website includes
course and scholarship information plus photographs of the school
and some of our students.
INTERNSHIPS
We are extremely
interested in sponsoring men and women from Canada to go down to work in
our school. It is not only important to our students to be exposed to
teachers from other cultures but also a wonderful way to learn more
about the Peruvian Culture. If you or anyone you know is interested,
please contact us at questschoolofenglish@yahoo.ca
for more information.
SUPPORTING
ARTISANS
"Hope Through Humanity" raises additional funds for
scholarships through the sale of merchandise sold through our website by
"Supporting Artisans". By purchasing their products, you are
not only helping them but also supporting "Hope Through
Humanity" and "Quest School of English".
If you are an artist, from any genre or
discipline, and would like to help, please contact us at hopethroughhumanity@yahoo.ca
FRIENDS OF HOPE
THROUGH HUMANITY
We obviously appreciate any financial help offered to us from
individuals or corporations who support this initiative. Since we only
charge 70 cents US an hour to study English, any amount donated to our
cause, will help open the door to a student or family who are unable to
afford these nominal course fees. Donors will be recognized on our
website as a "Friend of Hope Through Humanity".
PRIVATE
FOUNDATION
"Hope Through
Humanity" is a private foundation. We are not a registered charity,
therefore, we cannot issue donation receipts. Our revenues are derived
from the sale of products, from like-minded artisans, from private
funding and also from individual donations.
Outside funding is important but at the same token, we do not want to
become dependent on it. Ultimately, our goal is to make Quest
School of English self-sustaining thereby ensuring it's future.
Throughout the year, we will be holding "Multi-Media Fundraising"
events, featuring our supporting artisans with the cost of admission
being offset 100% by a "Hope Through
Humanity" Gift Certificate. These certificates can be used to purchase products from
our "Supporting
Artisans" either at the event or through our website. In this way, everyone benefits; the children,
our teachers, the supporting artisans, the foundation and of course the
people who attend the events and support our cause.
HOPE
THROUGH HUMANITY STORE
For tax reasons and also to provide credit card payment options and
buyer protection, all sales will be made directly to the
"Supporting Artisans" through PayPal.
AND
FINALLY...........
It is
amazing what can be achieved if you really put your mind to it. Two
months ago, QUEST did not even exist, now we are offering classes and
giving people, who are unable to afford courses offered by the other schools and institutes in the area, an opportunity to
study English.
Honestly, we have no idea where this will lead but we do know we
are heading in the right direction.
Thank
you for your continued support and encouragement. We would love to hear
from you.
Best Wishes
Geoff
& Gkori
