UT Student Raises Money for a School in El Salvador
By Stephanie Molina
Reporting Texas TV
AUSTIN, Texas – Students at the University of Texas are joining together to raise money to repair a school in El Salvador
Antony Efrain Rodriguez, a senior nutrition major, visited the Complejo Educativo De San Fernando in Morazan last summer. The United States built the school in the 1970s.
He saw a need for new tables and a fresh coat of paint.
“The U.S. was supposed to fix the school, but because of the government they were not able to do that,” Rodriguez said. “They fixed the other school and then I was like you know we can do that and it would be more impactful.”
El Salvador had a civil war that took place from the 1970s through the 1990s. Morazán was one of the locations hit the hardest.
After decades of insufficient funds, the ceilings, restrooms, windows and floors are falling apart. Manrique Ramos, the school’s director, said that makes it harder for students to play or study properly.
“We did a rough estimate and depending how much we raise, that’s how much we are going to use because there is a lot of stuff to repair. However, with any amount we get, we can do a lot for the school.” Ramos said.
Currently, 152 kids attend the school that houses grades kindergarten through 12. It is one of the biggest schools in the area.
“I know that the greatest beneficiaries wouldn’t be me, but the children that study in the school,” Ramos said.
Rodriguez hopes to raise more money by working with individual students who are planning to do challenges such as doing photoshoots and giving half of their profit to the fundraiser.
Organizations like the Central American Student Association (CASA) are also helping by spreading the word through social media and working on doing profit shares.
Their goal is to raise $5,000. To motivate others to donate, they are giving away Bad Bunny concert tickets.
“I’ve seen how these small communities are impacted by the school because they depend on it because education is very important over there,” CASA vice president John Guzman said.
Antony Efrain Rodriguez adds information to the fundraiser document he keeps public for transparency. (Photo: Stephanie Molina, Reporting Texas TV)
Rodriguez’s previous fundraisers for El Salvador were a toy drive for the students in Complejo Educative De San Fernando and a gift basket drive for families. He raised more than $2,700.
“When you go over there it’s like we are going to work together to be a better community,” said Rodriguez.
He plans to go to El Salvador at the end of May with his family to start the work with the local community. Their hope is to make the repairs within the week Rodriguez is there.
“I just feel like if there is a way that I can help then I will try to help in whatever way I can,” Rodriguez said.
The fundraiser is happening now through May 22. To find more information on how to donate, click here.