In 2018, after listening to the community members express the need for a kindergarten, we recruited a team in the USA to help fundraise and build the kindergarten classroom. In 2020, with the kindergarteners in their new classroom, a classroom in the main building opened up for teacher to begin teaching grades 7-9. In this community, only 2-3 students would continue after graduating from the 6th grade, but with the space and new teacher, 27 students began 7th grade in 2020. Each year those numbers continue to grow.

When we learned that part of the community in Panina did not have access to water, we began researching ways to get water to these families. We learned of a fresh spring in the community. With the help of a team from the USA and community members, we built a water system that pumped directly to homes by using nothing but gravity. It was a huge feat, but nothing compared to seeing the smiles of the families as they turned on their water faucets for the first time.

In Las Hortencias, the kindergarteners were in need of a kitchen. The mothers were making lunch for the kindergarteners in their homes and then carrying pots of food to the school through rough terrain. The teachers of the school asked SoloHope for help. When the need was presented at IF: Gathering Leesburg at The Church at the Groves, the women attending the conference stepped up and funded this project in one day! Since it was built in 2021, it has become a multi-purpose room as the school continues to grow. Now Pre-K students gather for classes in the “cafeteria” area while moms make lunches in the kitchen.

For years the artisan partners we partner with through our brand have dreamed of having a space to work and grow together. In 2022, that dream finally came true! This workshop has been such a gift as our artisans work, have meetings and workshops, and store their products. We have big dreams for all that will take place inside these walls!