October 2009, Hug It Forward has been empowering communities in Guatemala to build "bottle schools": schools built out of plastic soda bottles and other trash. In 2 years, 16 bottle schools have been completed at an average cost of just $5,000 per classroom, and three more school-building projects are under way. Hug It Forward operates a “100% non-profit” model, whereby 100% of all publi... read more

October 2009, Hug It Forward has been empowering communities in Guatemala to build "bottle schools": schools built out of plastic soda bottles and other trash. In 2 years, 16 bottle schools have been completed at an average cost of just $5,000 per classroom, and three more school-building projects are under way. Hug It Forward operates a “100% non-profit” model, whereby 100% of all public donations are spent on bottle school projects. The organization’s running costs are covered by a group conscious businesses who make regular donations to cover the operational overhead, as well as by “voluntourism” trips which raise awareness at the same time as generating revenue. Bottle schools have been built all across Guatemala, with a focus on poorer, isolated, rural areas several hours from the nearest paved road, some of which do not have a school of any sort. Hug It Forward would like to see more bottle schools being built, wherever there is a need. They have created a "Bottle School Manual" which explains how to build a bottle school, step by step. Using this Bottle School Manual, bottle schools are to be built in 2012 in El Salvador and Guyana, as well as the bottle school building program in Guatemala continuing – subject to more funding being found. You can see the Bottle School Manual and also find out more information about bottle schools at www.hugitforward.org read less

posted by Heenal R.

http://www.hugitforward.org