STAR OF HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Star of Hope Christian School is situated in the community to provide the primary and secondary educational requirements of children. It is a semi-private, missionary school recognized by the Department of Education Culture and Sports. The school is ran by its administrators, headed by Pastor Gani Coruña. The total school population for the school year 2001-2002 is 3,150 students for elementary and high school. There are 62 full time teachers teaching in both levels. So far, school facilities (i.e. library, canteen, playing area and classrooms) are enough for the students. However, availability of reading materials has been becoming a major concern for the school for every school year. Most of the students are not able to afford to buy their own textbooks. Although the school provides some books for its pupils, it is still not sufficient for all. THE BEGINNING OF STAR OF HOPE In 1969, it was a very sunny and hot day, in a poor area of the State of Minas Gerais in the country of Brazil, the missionary ERICK GUNNAR ERIKSSON, founder of Star of Hope, came to know a homeless child by name Paulo. His father had died and his mother was the only one left, they had financial problems, their home had no electricity, no sewer and no running water and she could not continue taking care of him anymore. Missionary Erick was shocked with this scenario and when he returned to his original country of SWEDEN, he then started a campaign to raise funds and help that poor and needed area he had visited in Brazil. That was the beginning of STAR OF HOPE in Brazil in the town of Montes Claros in the State of Minas Gerais. Internationally known as Star of Hope with the World Headquarters in Sweden, Star of Hope’s mission is to attend all children with day care, pre-school and schools, nutrition, medical assistance and rehabilitation program. To have this mission accomplished, the Star of Hope implanted their programs in very important key values: Christian: The life with ethical and morality combined, are fundamental to gear in individual and collective attitudes of a healthy society. Equal Opportunity: Proper knowledge and information is the essential condition for better life quality and healthy individuals in the communities and they all deserves the same treatment. Humanitarian Principles: The development of justice, personal dignity, solidarity and respect are fundamental to have the power to change the local society and surrounding areas. Knowledge: This is the most important tool in the development of our projects.