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Update from Instituto El Rey

August 4, 2009 by  
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Every year, Ivy Chapel’s members support several students at Instituto El Rey, a Christian high school in Rio Viejo, Honduras that serves the rural poor.

The mission of Instituto El Rey is “to provide an oasis of hope and love in a region plagued by poverty, violence, abuse, superstition and ignorance.”  Every student comes from a situation where there would be little chance for high quality education.

Recent events, including political upheaval and an earthquake, have hit close to the school.

Following is an update from Sharon Washburn, the school’s administrator.

On May 28 we experienced a big earthquake off the coast of La Ceiba.  It was 7.3 on the Richter scale.  For weeks after that we felt many aftershocks.  One evening, June 15, the boys and I were startled by a 5.1 around 10:30 pm for the next 90 minutes we felt 5 more shocks between 5.1 and 5.3.  I learned how to report our experiences to the US geology survey website.  Together we learned more about earthquakes.  Then we took our fledgling knowledge, including maps, down the steps to the school and taught our students and teachers. Did you know that on June 10 there were around 200 earthquakes in the world in only one hour?  That is amazing. We are appreciating our world.

Then in June Honduras experienced a political earthquake.  We continue to wait and pray for the outcome of that earthquake.  This we know –God is in control.  We, here on the North coast, are doing fine and are very safe. We are not much affected by the marches in Tegucigalpa.  Instituto El Rey is still teaching our students.  The teachers still come to school.  We will have our 3rd quarter exams in two weeks.  Our younger students had our first social studies fair June 10 and all participated in our Cultural Afternoon July 20.  Our little band has started practicing for the Independence Day parade on Sept. 15.  Things are moving along.

Groups have been coming to minister and work at the orphanage up the road and at the clinic across the street from us.  We often are the receipients of the talents that they bring which enrich the school.

Oh, by the way, Ester, our principal, was at a meeting which featured as the major topic the local national university.  The meeting was opened by the president of CURLA, the university.  He said there is a high school in the Cuenca del Cangrejal which is producing excellent students.  That when students come from this school they know how to be, study and do well in their classes.  He asked if there was a representative from Instituto El Rey present.  Ester raised her hand to receive his congratulations.  Praise the Lord!   So we are not only alive and well, but we are victorious and thriving.  For that we are grateful for our students, parents and teachers.

We, also, are thankful for your partnership in educating these precious jewels.  You are making a difference in the lives of our students and teachers.  Thank you.

About the school

The school was established in 2001, and now serves 170 students in grades 7 through 12. It celebrated its first graduated class in 2006, and to date 61 students have graduated from Instituto El Rey. 60% of graduates are seeking college degrees or professional training. Among the most recent graduates are four students seeking medical degrees, three studying nursing, two pursuing systems engineering, one studying business administration, and one aiming to become a lawyer.

Students at IER come from 15 villages in the mountains south of La Ceiba. Many overcome tremendous obstacles to get their education – some just to get to school every day. Scholarships, family sacrifices and support from friends enable all their schooling. Each student’s family is required to pay a token amount (less than $5 month); the total cost per student is actually around $70 per month.  Students who cannot afford the small monthly tuition can work at the school on weekends to earn that amount.  A high percentage of students are supported through a sponsorship program administered by a separate foundation.

The faculty includes salaried Honduran teachers, plus American volunteers Earl & Sharon Washburn, who serve as both administrators and teachers. Earl’s brother, Russ, is a member of Ivy Chapel and over the past 7 years dozens of church members, including youth, have gone on mission trips to IER to help with construction and other projects at the school.

Subjects taught at the school include Spanish, English, math (incl. statistics & physics), science (including chemistry & biology), several computer classes including programming & design, social studies, accounting, art, music, P.E. and some practical skills such as carpentry, sewing and gardening (which will help them earn a living if they opt out of further education).

Click here to learn more about Instituto El Rey.

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