Several guests of honor were present at the inauguration ceremony. Among them were Gerard van Kesteren, a member of the foundation's board, and his wife Teresa; Peter Messerli, a member of the van Kesteren Foundation's board, and his wife Ursula; as well as the parents Luisa and Paul and the sister Nicole, of the foundation's president, Patricia Scarpatetti. Representatives from the municipal authorities of Quimistán and the Ministry of Education of Santa Barbara also participated, with whom a strategic alliance was signed. The Ministry of Education will take responsibility for the school operations and the teaching staff.
Why El Alpinista?
The name El Alpinista (the mountaineer) was chosen deliberately and symbolizes the values that this school aims to convey. A mountaineer strives for higher things and shows qualities such as determination, perseverance and courage in order to overcome difficult challenges. It is precisely these values that the pupils should develop on their educational journey:
- Determination to pursue dreams and goals.
- Perseverance to overcome obstacles and successfully complete their education.
- Courage to break new ground and take on challenges.
With the support of this school, the children, like mountaineers, can conquer their personal and professional future step by step and thus create a better perspective for their families and communities.
A modern school building for sustainable education
The school building El Alpinista was built with the aim of creating optimal learning conditions for all pupils. It comprises:
- 12 bright and spacious classrooms, all equipped with PCs and projectors.
- A staff room for pedagogical preparation and exchange between teachers.
- A computer room with modern technology to promote digital skills.
- Two offices for school administration and management.
- Two toilet modules to ensure sanitary standards.
- A storage room for materials and school supplies.
A playground was built on the school grounds in a shaded area, providing the children with a safe and protected place to play during breaks.
A school that makes local education possible
Before the opening of the El Alpinista school, access to secondary education was a significant challenge for the children of Quimistán. Many had to travel long distances to Cofradía or San Pedro Sula to attend secondary schools, which was an enormous effort and financial burden for the families.
Now, children from Colonia Unión y Esperanza and the surrounding communities can attend school directly in their own community and complete their education up to the high school diploma with a focus on computer science. This not only creates better educational prospects but also provides more security and stability in the daily lives of the families.
Thanks to all supporters
Special thanks go to the generous donors from Switzerland who have made this project possible with their donations. Our thanks also go to the municipality of Quimistán and its mayor Rubén Darío Pacheco, who has supported the project with great commitment.
Thanks to this collaboration, over 300 children and young people were able to start a high-quality education at the beginning of February.
The school El Alpinista is more than just a building - it is a symbol of hope, equal opportunities and the common will to overcome challenges. Together we are working towards a better future for the children of Honduras.