About Us

Opening Celebration at Sontule School

Jane Boyd and
Hilary Francis, two volunteer English teachers in Sontule, Miraflor, founded the Miraflor Foundation in September 2004. Initially planning to raise £600 ($1080) to refurbish the local primary school, Jane and Hilary were stunned by the response of their friends and families, and were able to raise £2900 ($5177). With more help from students of Center for Global Education, based in Washington DC, who raised $2000, the team was able to add two new classrooms to Sontule School.

The work was coordinated by the community of Sontule, and the community decided how the money was spent. One professional builder worked on the project, helped by the parents, who all worked voluntarily. The parents also made a token financial contribution.

In October 2005 the first phase of the school renovation was completed, and in November the new classrooms were officially opened, in a day of celebration including music, dance, and a performance by the local youth theatre group. Planning for the next phase of renovations has already begun, and the Miraflor Foundation hopes to raise £5000 ($9000) to add toilets, a reading room, a water supply, and a safe play area to the school.

The Miraflor Foundation is now seeking charitable status in the UK, and we hope to fund other projects in Sontule and other communities in Miraflor in the near future.