The sounds of children greeted me as I strode up the cobbled drive toward the concrete block walls of the school. Laughter drifted across the breeze, inviting me to become a part of it, if only for a day. As I entered the courtyard, my eyes were drawn to the class-rooms that framed its perimeter. Within each one, lessons were being taught that would last a lifetime. A ball bounced past me—and a young boy dashed after it, pausing momentarily to welcome me with a smile. In a corner of the courtyard, desks were set in rows. Stu-dents from the upper grades, inspired by the infusion of natural sunlight, bent over their end-term exams. I had come to visit the Colegio Cientifico. Nestled back amidst the lush greenery of Coatepeque, the Colegio Cientifico is the largest IMS school in Central America. From its start in 2007, the staff has worked diligently to provide its students with academic excellence and spiritual guidance.
From kindergarten through high school, students study the core subjects, along with music and art. Older students learn practical business skills in accounting, computers, and secretarial work. Upon completion of their studies, students are adequately qualified to find employment at a bank or other business enterprise.
But in this school, the Bible is also a required textbook. Every day, Brother Max Lopez, the director of the school and an IMS Bible worker, presents new lessons from the Scriptures. Biblical truths about health, history, law, doctrine, and prophecy are presented in an engaging way to the various grade levels. Students learn the concepts so thoroughly that they are, in turn, able to instruct others. Like the lessons learned in reading, math, and science, these Bible lessons will last a lifetime. Eternity will someday tell the story of how the Bible les-sons taught in this school impacted the students who listened. Lunch is a favorite time of day for students and staff alike, but in this unique school, the school lunches do not resemble school lunches in most other places. Here the menu consists of homemade vegan meals, lovingly prepared by Sister Blanca Monterroso, the mother of Pastor Danilo Monterroso. Fresh green salads, vegetable soups, hand-made tortillas, and more provide a solid mid-day meal. Although not all 160 students choose to eat the school lunches, a large majority do. Healthful meals produce healthy minds, and these students are richly blessed to grow up in an environment where their palates are, from an early age, accustomed to a plant-based diet.
Not all the students at the Colegio Cientifico can afford to study here. Generous contributions by the Good Samaritan Department, as well as those of private donors, help provide quality education for approximately twenty of the 160 students. During my visit, the aunt of one of the students explained through her tears how important the scholarship is for her niece. This child studies hard and is one of the top students at the school. Because of the thoughtful investment of one person, this young girl now has opportunities she would not otherwise have been given.
During my visit, the students presented various programs. The little ones sang songs about Jesus they had learned. A group from the middle grades showcased a variety of native dishes that represent the culinary diversity of Guatemala. Another group presented small businesses they would run if they could start a business at their age. Examples included a little bakery, a veterinary clinic, and a juice shop. One young entrepreneur demonstrated how he could provide electricity for the community. The older students shared a model of the Ark of the Covenant that they had constructed and explained the significance of each object contained within the ark.
Although the Colegio Cientifico is an established school, it is still a growing school. To accommodate more students, a new building project has been launched to provide more classrooms on the sec-ond floor. These classrooms are being constructed in sections. Each section costs $15,000 USD to complete. One section is finished and already in use. Three sections remain, requiring a to-tal of $45,000 USD. In the book Edu-cation, page 33, Sister White writes this: “When I was shown by the an-gel of God that an institution should be established for the education of our youth I saw that it would be one of the greatest means ordained of God for the salvation of souls.” After visiting the Colegio Cientifico, I believe that on the day when Jesus returns to claim His own, there will be seen a group of saints who will say, “We learned about Jesus at the Colegio Cientifico.”
by Margie Seely
