Tzu Chi helped building school in Villa de Oriente, Guatemala

Since May 2010; Guatemala has suffered a volcanic eruption, a massive tropical storm, and intermittent flooding and landslides that have continued through the hurricane season. In response, local Tzu Chi volunteers have been surveying damage in disaster-hit areas, and providing relief where they can. Recently, near the city of Palencia, Tzu Chi helped finish building a local school in Villa de Oriente. Construction had stopped due to a lack of funding, but this week, the school was finally completed. Tzu Chi volunteers came together with school staff, teachers, students, as well as local officials, to celebrate the grand opening on Oct. 10 2010

The land which forms the new campus was bought with money raised by villagers to be constructed by charity groups, but their funds ran out before the school was completed. Abandoned for two years, the school has been in use - but with corrugated iron as its roof. Students can study, but suffer in heat and humidity, in a single big room where all grades work together. Tzu Chi took responsibility for completing the work, and after only half a year of effort everything was completed.

With a new school established, Volunteers presented the children with gifts of stationery and other supplies, to encourage the school, its students, pursuit of a better future