Gorrioncitos School and the El Rosario Health Center
The Gorrioncitos' (Little Sparrows) center came into being in 1989
through the work of some students from Princeton, the Italian Embassy,
and citizens of several poor barrios (neighborhoods), including El
Rosario. Today it is a school of 120 students, pre-school
(kindergarten) and first grade only. The teachers and women of the
community serve a hot, nutritious meal at noon every day, to which any
kids in the neighborhood are welcome. The Community Health Center--Puesto de Salud El Rosario--sits next door, both within a fenced area
of about one acre of land. Last year we built a playground, planted
many new fruit trees, and made a trash system. This year we hope to
build two soccer fields and the community's first composting toilet.
A loose group of friends in mid-Tennessee (with others far and wide)
have helped support the Gorrioncitos for the past twelve years. Our
group, Cousin Sparrow (northern cousins of the Little Sparrows), is a
registered non-profit corporation in the state of Tennessee, and we
are currently applying for 501c3 federal tax exempt status.
The health and well-being of these children is intertwined with the
women, teachers and volunteers who care for them. We are taking the
needs of the whole community into account, including nutrition, water,
sanitation and fun.
Cousin Sparrow has no paid staff. Our work is an investment--not
a sacrifice.
Welcome to our website.
John Sandy Hepler
Director--Cousin Sparrow
292 Haydenburg Rd, Whitleyville, TN 38588 |
