During the week of June 5-9, Tom & Adelia Hornick of Marina Rotary with Bob Hatmaker traveled to Zacualpa to install internet service at Institute Fe y Alegria.  The installation of the computer/internet system will help us in many ways with the scholarship program - record keeping, communication with sponsors, and general management of the program.  

What should have been an easy job (for computer wizard Tom) turned out to be quite difficult.  Wild swings in the electricity at the school, rain, and a loose wire in one unit caused us many delays.  BUT alas we finished – well, almost.  We still need to purchase a quality voltage regulator and then we will be in business.

We thank Marina Rotary Club and District 5230 who supplied the computer, printer, etc. through a District Simplified Grant.  We are also grateful to Tom’s employer (Scheid Vineyards) for donating the equipment to transmit internet signals from the internet cafe to the school.  Finally, a special THANK YOU to Tom and Adelia for all their hard work on this trip - Tom with his computer skills and Adelia with Spanish translation.

While in Guatemala Bob Hatmaker met with the parents of our sponsored students.  It was a wonderful experience!  The parents wore their "Sunday best" and were very expressive in their appreciation for the scholarship program.  One even baked a cake for the occasion!  We wish each of the sponsors could have been there and we hope some day many of the sponsors can meet their student and his/her parents.  We thank Meghann Mulherin (Peace Corp Volunteer) for her help with this meeting.  She is very active helping the scholarship program and the students & parents enjoy her working with them.