QUITE A SUCCESS!!!

On March 16th, we had a fund raising event: a luncheon at the home of Mrs. Nibia Souza,in Potomac, Md. to collect money for our main project: electrification of rural schools by solar panels. In this occasion for the schools in the Department of Treinta y Tres.(northeast of the country).

It was quite a success: the large crowd enjoyed the good food and the lively entertainment. Please,see the related photos!!!

Thank you very much to the friends that accompanied us and to the friends that sent their contributions. In every event we feel that more and more people realize the importance of this project.

Click the thumbnails below to see our fund raiser!

OTHER EVENTS

On June 25th we held the fund raising event at the residence of the Ambassador of Uruguay, Dr. Carlos Gianelli who along with his wife, Mónica, were the best hostesses to the big crowd that attended that night. Excellent food and Uruguayan wine along with the tangos sang by Nelson Pino the renowned Uruguayan singer, made the event one of the best that the UAF has held. The hours went by without noticing but finally we had to leave!!! Thank you to all for your support : to those that attended and to those that send their donations . And above all thank you again and again to Mr. Gianelli and his wife Mónica for their permanent trust in us.

The Ambassador of Uruguay Dr. Carlos A. Gianelli with the tango singer Nelson Pino at the Ambassador residence.	Ambassador Gianelli, Lydia Aguirre (President of UAF), Ambassador's wife Monica Gianelli and group of friends.

The drums  of Candombe Forever sounded on the street outside the doors of the Latin Palace in Baltimore on Friday, July 25.  The Candombe Forever Dancers did their part in the event. CF later played together with their five dancers inside the main floor of the restaurant followed by Brazilian dancers and an unbelievable tango show by Pablo and Flavia. Uruguayan banners and flags were everywhere as the crowd joined in the dance. Brazil and Argentinean artists joining in to help Uruguay..what a model!   This was part of a fundraising event to benefit the Uruguayan American Foundation's  Rural Schools Electrification Project in Uruguay.  Two of the directors of the UAF were present at the event, Ruben Criscio and Andres McAlister.  Andres said a few words about the project to the crowd and  the show continued.   There were more than 60 people contributing to this fundraiser accompanied by the regular Friday crowd of the Latin Palace.  "Latin News"  reporters were present and  interviewed UAF officials and Candombe Forever members.  A report  highlighting the fundraiser and the Schools Project is due to come out soon. Funds raised will be used in their totality to the Rural Schools project.   Thanks to the Latin Palace and to Sebastian Delgado and Pablo Machioli who organized this fundraiser as well as to the members of Candombe Forever and Pablo and Flavia for their musical donation to this event.

A picnic to celebrate the Independence Day of Uruguay (August 25th.) is under preparation. Details will be sent by e-mail or mail

A fund raising event will take place in the Fall at the home of Dr. Eduardo Haim and his wife Graciela. Details will follow.

Big News Concerning our Electrification Project!!

The Foundation is very excited to announce that we have finished work providing electricity to rural schools in the Department of Soriano. Each of the four schools located in the southwest region of the country were fitted with our solar power solution. The schools, number 69, 80, 85, and 94, received new equipment to cover the basic necessities of every day life. This effort represents another critical step in our five (5) year plan to provide electricity to the rural schools of Uruguay by installing solar panels and complementary hardware.

We have surpassed many hurdles to reach this point in our efforts. We have navigated government requirements to comply with all necessary regulations and acquired all the necessary permits. In addition, a site evaluation must be completed before any work commences. This effort required several trips to each school to evaluate the nature of the situation and the existing state of power equipment. While this process has taken time and money we are now ready to send technicians to the schools to complete the equipment installation.

Please see below pictures of the schools in Soriano.

AND WE KEEP GOING…....

We have finished the work in the following rural schools of the Department of Maldonado: No. 18(Los Cerrillos); No.26 (Carapé), No. 28 (Valdivia), No. 35( José Ignacio), No. 40 (Sierras de Garzón). We have received the corresponding confirmations from the Principals in all those schools.

Now is the turn of the rural schools in the Department of Treinta y Tres: No.10(Yerbal Chico),No.13(Noques de Olimar chico),No.29 ( Rincón de Gadea), No.41 (Arrayanes de Cebollatí), No.43 (Ruta 19-Km.293), No.44 (Sierras del Yerbal), No.46 (Cuchilla de Olmos), No.54 (Higuerones), No.55 (Ruta 17-Km.309), No.56 (El Rosario), No.71 (Ruta 19-Km.280) We will keep you informed of the progress of this project.

Click the thumbnails below to see our electrification program in action!

A Request to Our Membership

The entire electrification project is the largest single operation the Foundation has attempted in its long history. The value to Uruguay's poorest children really can not be measured. We feel this is going to be our greatest success. A project this size, however, does come with a certain costs. The cost to install and set up the electrification equipment at each school averages approximately $ 2.000.00. While this number may seem high, imagine how difficult it is to raise that kind of money in the rural areas of Uruguay. We have many more schools to complete and we need your continued support. We would greatly appreciate it if you could make a donation to the UAF for this purpose. All donations, no matter their size, will help us in reaching our goal of completing this work in the next few years.

As always, all your donations to our organization are tax-free.

For more information, please send a e-mail to: laguirre@erols.com

We thank you very much for your continued support,
Lydia Aguirre
President
Uruguayan American Foundation