Chapala High School Kitchen Project

Juan Ramon Alvarez Lopez, Regional Director of the Chapala Preparatorio High School, has asked CSRC for help. About 150 of the 1,200 students at the public high school come from homes with little or no food and arrive at school hungry most days, having traveled miles by bus or on foot to get there. Their frequently-poor health leads to concentration and behavior problems, and – despite an amazing drive to learn – many end up dropping out of school, perpetuating their cycle of poverty. 

To help resolve this problem, the school wants to expand its program to give at-risk students a nutritional meal each day and give them skills to find part-time work to earn money to help support their families and their education. Their idea is to deliver an ongoing class, offered as part of their Tourism program, teaching the importance of nutrition as well as skills in food preparation and service. Students could learn from the school’s teaching staff and volunteer teachers from the Restaurant Association. They would also receive help in developing a business plan to start their own small food-service business if they wish. 

This project will require a nutrition classroom with resource materials and a small commercial kitchen facility. Minor gas line and electrical work would also be needed in the building to support the facility. 

The program will be run by the school – their focus is to keep these students healthy and in school to help achieve their potential. They just need a helping hand.