[/caption]Justin Hargesheimer/GHN Editor - The Peace Corps began in the 1960's with a dream to help the developing countries by providing specialized help from volunteers who provide service for a period of two years in different areas specific to helping a particular region. The enterprising potential of these volunteers is told in this narrative as one volunteer has been working with youth to use plastic bottles to build a school in Guatemala.
Peace Corps volunteer Justin Hargesheimer, 32, is spearheading the construction of a 1,033 square-foot school in the Guatemalan village of Nuevo Paraiso, in which plastic soda and water bottles are placed within the concrete walls. The project, funded with the help of American non-profit Hug It Forward (www.hugitforward.com), benefits the environment and provides a much needed education facility for children currently forced to attend classes outside, with only a metal roof overhead in the rain-soaked lowlands of Western Guatemala.
Project promotes trash cleanup, environmental awareness and community involvement
The community broke ground May 24 with the inauguration set for Aug. 21.
“It’s inspiring to watch the community come together for the benefit of their children, who desperately need a permanent building to conduct classes,” said Hargesheimer, of Fairbanks, Alaska.
In recent months residents of Nuevo Paraiso and surrounding villages rallied to collect 6,500 plastic bottles and stuff them with inorganic trash like candy wrappers, plastic bags and Styrofoam. These bottles, or “eco-bricks,” are inserted within the school walls, keeping trash out of streets and rivers, reducing construction costs and teaching important environmental lessons.
Nuevo Paraiso’s elementary school students attend classes on a mud floor without side or rear walls. The two classrooms have only a thin metal roof overhead and a chalkboard at front. The mornings are hot and heavy afternoon rains often force an end to classes.
Hug It Forward has funded bottle school projects throughout Guatemala. The organization donates funds for materials and skilled labor, but requests the recipient community provide the unskilled labor and bottles, giving villages such as Nuevo Paraiso direct involvement.
Hargesheimer began his Peace Corps service in coastal region of Guatemala in November 2010. He will continue until October of 2012.
