Nonprofit displays makeshift classroom outside Capitol

Published: Friday, Feb. 17 2012 4:23 p.m. MST

View 10 photos »

A makeshift classroom similar to what is found in Chiapas, Mexico, is constructed outside the outside the state Capitol on Friday, February 17, 2012. Those in attendance of the press conference were there to support the efforts of local Utah nonprofit foundation Escalera, which builds schools in remote regions of Mexico along the Guatemala border. Brighton and Jordan high school students raised around $28,000 to build a new school in Nichnamtic, Chiapas, located in southern Mexico near the Guatemala border.

Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Summary

The nonprofit group Escalera displayed a makeshift classroom, like the ones it builds in Mexico, outside the state Capitol

SALT LAKE CITY — Students and government leaders went to class in a different setting on Friday.

Hundreds of local high school students gathered around a makeshift classroom outside the state Capitol along with Mayor Ralph Becker and Salt Lake Chamber President Lane Beattie. They were supporting the efforts of local Utah nonprofit Foundation Escalera, which builds schools in remote regions of Mexico along the Guatemala border.

Escalera's principal donors have been businesses in Utah's construction and development industry, namely Garbett Homes.

To date, these donors have helped over 16,000 students in Mexico access quality education. Local Utah band and music sensation Fictionist played at the event.

Comments