Estrella de Belén is a large school located in the mountains of Nicaragua.  The region of Wasala is extremely poor even compared to other states in Nicaragua.  The population of about 46,000 people is involved primarily in agriculture. 

Despite the difficulties, this school has been able to thrive and produce excellence!  Their female volleyball team represented Nicaragua in a international competition and placed 3^rd out of all of Central America.  They received a 1^st place finish in the Math Olympics and 2^nd place in an English singing competition.  They provide a distance learning program primarily for adults to earn a high school diploma in which the students come two weekends a month.

The school needs to rebuild its building as the school has not been able financially to keep it up well.  It especially needs a new roof which in this rainy climate is very important!  The leadership’s dream for the school is to become affiliated with a university to become a satellite campus so that students could continue their education despite their very rural location.