More than a school...

More than a school...

It is 6:45am, and students are slowly starting to come through the school gates. The early morning sun rays shining through the trees seem to be a symbol of a brighter future. 

The schoolyard seems like an oasis, lush with greenery. Children are laughing, and teachers are spreading joy and love. Yet outside the gates, in the community of Ocotillo, life can be difficult. 

Ocotillo is a low-income community. Many areas lack basic resources such as clean drinking water, a sewage system, and public electricity. Many people survive by searching for food in the nearby city dump. Often during the rainy season, the streets can become impassable and homes frequently flood. To make matters worse, gangs try to lure young people into the gangs with the promise of “acceptance,” “jobs,” and the “love” that they long for. 

And yet, the people of Ocotillo pin their hopes and dreams on a better future. Students, teachers, and parents have their eyes set on a bright tomorrow!

Josselin: A student with big dreams
Josselin graduated from Ocotillo Christian School. Her dreams were big… and they still are! She reflects on her time at the school in this video.

Karla: A teacher with a big heart 
Teachers at the school care not only about the whole child: their education, their spiritual growth, and their circumstances at home.

Karla is a new kindergarten teacher, fresh out of university. The more seasoned teachers came alongside her with encouragement and advice. 

Karla loves that the school points students and parents to God, building Christian principles and values into everyday experiences. 

When one of her students passed away last year, her world was rocked. She began to understand the larger role she plays in the lives of her students. “I learned to inquire about their well-being, to be aware of the small details of their lives which are easy to overlook,” she said. “I know my students are waiting for a ray of light that can help them to make their day better.” She knows she can be that ray of light for them. 

Xiomara: A grateful parent 
Xiomara’s son is in third grade. When asked why she likes this school for him, she said that it provides a good Christian education and that the teachers take their job seriously.

She especially appreciates the parent education meetings, where she has learned about raising her child and strengthened her family. “The meetings have helped us to be better people and to have more love for the family,” she said.

About the school
Ocotillo Christian School is a blessing to the community. In addition to a strong Christian education, the students receive free medical and dental care at the local clinic. The school was the first school in Ocotillo to offer high school grades and is known locally for its strong academics. Many students go on to university, internships, and the workforce. 

Extracurricular activities include a summer evangelistic camp, folk dance, boys’ and girls’ soccer teams, tutoring and individualized education plans for students with learning disabilities.

Community service and outreach are woven into the curriculum. The school will support a local public school by providing a VBS program, and students will also serve the community through clean-up and reforestation projects. 

Ocotillo Christian School is not defined by its limits! The staff there believe God has used and will continue using this place to bless and restore many lives. 

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