The Fountain of Hope Day Center project in Panatau ended in September 2023.

About the Center that has run for 16 years:

At the Fountain of Hope, you could offer nutritious hot vegetarian meals, homework support and creative educational enrichment through the arts, sports and non-formal learning to up to 30 socio-economically disadvantaged schoolchildren from the village of Panatau.

LEARNING WAS FUN!

Its aim was to motivate children to complete their studies and discover learning as a fun, exploratory process! They also had the opportunity to learn foreign languages from their contact with our international and European volunteers. In addition, we worked to empower the children to become active citizens in the community, participating in various volunteer activities for the environment and their neighbors.

 OVER 100 CHILDREN ATTENDED

Throughout the 16 years, there were over 100 children enrolled, most of whom were from socio-economically disadvantaged families. The Fountain of Hope After-School Center opened in September 2007 by AMURTEL, in partnership with the local Council of Panatau and Cooperating Netherlands Foundation (CNF).

NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT HELPED ENSURE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Children in economically disadvantaged rural villages like Panatau are at higher risk of school dropout already in primary school. Many of them do not receive balanced nutritious meals at home, and walk to school more than an hour on an empty stomach. As they are hungry, they are unable to concentrate well in their lessons. In addition, parents are often unable to provide the tutoring and support the children need to succeed in school.

EDUCATION = THE KEY OUT OF THE CYCLE OF POVERTY

Although the Center no longer operates, we will continue to provide food support to some of the most vulnerable families, with vegetables from our own organic farm and by sharing the donations received from the “AMURTEL Family” Residential Center Food Bank in the same village. The AMURTEL association is already involved in creating educational projects about regenerative agriculture at its ecological farm “Gradina Bio AMURTEL” and will continue to look for ways to be of service to the local community.