One of our most anticipated and celebrated moments in 2019 came on July 25th with a ribbon cutting for the Hope Community School Library. Thanks to a partnership with Chicago’s Lincoln Park Preschool and Kindergarten (LPP), this multi-year endeavor culminated in a joyous celebration with the full student body, teachers, community members and Spark Ventures travelers, including LPP leader and project champion, Sharon Kozek.

The library was a highly anticipated addition to the Hope School campus – the teachers and other school leaders have spoken about a desire to expand the facilities and teaching resources in this way for a number of years. And, once funding was secured and the project was initiated, a number of key stakeholders were brought in to ensure that this precious new space could live up to everyone’s expectations. With help from a local library consultant and input provided by LPP based on what they know works well for the youngest learners, plans for the library came together with great care and collaboration.

The resulting space has exceeded even the loftiest visions from when we first began. Immediately a beloved anchor to the campus – you can regularly find the library bustling with student activity. Teachers bring their classes to use the space during school time, and after school, students linger and explore the shelves anytime they are given the opportunity. Head Teacher Chimfwembe N’Goma had this to say shortly after the ribbon cutting, “This new library opens up so much potential and opportunity for our students. Children need to be given an opportunity to learn to love reading, and this library will be the place where they build that relationship with books and learning.”

center // The librarian shepherding this new space is Jane Mulenga, a graduate of Hope School and Hope House Orphanage.

2020 brings new horizons for two young brothers in Nicaragua – twelve year old Elias and his younger brother Junior began attending the Las Tías community center in mid-2019 and in just a few short months, the resources they now have access to have been life-changing.

Their father, who struggled with addiction, was killed in an accident 4 years ago. Their mother, Sujay, has faced some significant challenges as well. With the best interests of her children in mind, she has taken steps to overcome some enormous obstacles. She is doing her best to provide for her children by selling gum & candy at the local markets. Their home is made of branches, sheets of plastic, corrugated tin, and doesn’t have electricity or running water, but they are very proud to call it their own. Sujay never learned to read or write and hopes that her children can stay in school so they have a chance for a better life. Although Elias and Junior previously spent their extra time helping their mother in the market, they now attend Las Tias’ community center after school.

The boys are already thriving at Las Tías, where they receive educational and emotional support, as well as a large, healthy meal each school day. The brothers aren’t the only ones benefiting from Las Tías’ resources. Sujay now receives parenting coaching, and thanks to support from recent travelers, Spark Ventures is collaborating with Las Tías to offer vocational or remedial literacy classes to parents of beneficiaries like Sujay who lack these basic skills.

above // Spark Ventures travelers visit the home of Sujay, Elias and Junior.

In the past decade, Entreamigos has processed an impressive amount of recycled materials…

Patti O’Neil | Chair

Michael Campbell | Vice Chair

CEO, Fusion Risk Management

Doak Elliott | Treasurer

Kathy Campbell Wolf | Secretary

Scott Barbeau

Constance Benrud

Sue Bernstein

Rich Johnson

Julie Tafel Klaus

Jennifer Kim

Lisa Madonia

Dan Marcus

Kristin Schrepferman