Colegio La Esperanza
La Rosa Blanca
Organic Architecture Summer Building Program
Statement of Purpose
How do we make the process of building, part of the growth of ourselves, and the larger community?For we want to strengthen a community, and not make it something separate from Colonia Esperanza, Tijuana, San Diego, or the world.
Let us use the school to foster community, sustainability in the use of resources, community attitude, and encouragement of individual initiative.
Considering all of our personal motivations and goals, such as beauty, joy, function, cost and personal needs, it is important that what and how we build is not outside Colonia Esperanza's needs and aspirations.
The process, construction techniques, and the building should have the possibility to enrich the builders skills, use of energy, initiative, etc. as well as satisfy long term educational needs.
It is important that this summer be a training ground for the future planning and expression of La Rosa Blanca.
What can we really offer? How can we do it?
James Hubbell
Introduction
Thank you for your interest in La Rosa Blanca. The program is a "hands-on" building school for students of architecture, engineering, and art, who are interested in learning about creative architectural solutions to problems of third world development. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience the process of building and of helping people in need in a developing community.The 10 day building program will involve the students in the actual construction of a primary school for the children of Colonia La Esperanza. The experience will be similar to a Peace Corps project. The school was designed by James Hubbell, who is internationally acclaimed for his organic architecture, stained glass and sculpture.
The primary school is constructed as a publicly supported project. The independent building school will interface cooperatively with The Americas Foundation/Fundacion De Las Americas, the Ilan-Lael Foundation, S.E.P (Secretaria de Educacion Publica), and S.A.H.O.P.E. the Baja California state agency for public works.
A preschool/kindergarten/first grade Jardin De Ninos La Esperanza, has been completed in the same colonia. It was constructed and embellished by Mexican labor, volunteers, and local artists. This school was also designed by James Hubbell in an organic style that exemplifies the power of beauty, artistic expression, and natural forms. The building functions as the first social institution, of any type, in the Colonia.
It is the philosophy of La Rosa Blanca to build beautiful schools with art that can transcend class barriers. This philosophy and wonderful construction experience is what La Rosa Blanca hopes to share and teach to students from around the globe.
San Diego/Tijuana Region
The city of tijuana is located 20 miles south of Downtown San Diego, it has exceeded the population 3 million, with people from other areas of Mexico and Central America settling in Tijuana annually. People are primarily attracted to settling in Tijuana because of the Maquiladora Industry (foreign owned assembly plants). The city is unique because it is constantly undergoing change and growth.The colonias, or neighborhoods, surrounding Tijuana exemplify third world living conditions. Many houses are without water, electricity, and sewage systems. Many family dwellings are subject to the whims of the environment, and the structures do not hold up well in heavy rain and/or earthquakes. The streets in many colonias are not paved.
Schedule of Events
Seminars and construction activities will be from 8AM to 9PM daily. Saturdays will involve supervision and training of volunteers, giving students the opportunity to teach.Sundays, and one additional day of the week, will be reserved for rest, relaxation, and visiting the surrounding area of Northern Baja California and San Diego County.
Meals
Every working day there will be a light breakfast, and one large lunch served, as in Mexico when a large meal & siesta occur, as the largest meal of the day. The main lunch will be made Mexican style, meals consisting of carne asada, chicken mole or tostados. The kitchen will be available for students to make their own dinners in the evenings and for Sunday meals.
Transportation
Each student is responsible for their transportation to and from San Diego or Tijuana. Upon your arrival, a friend of La Rosa Blanca can pick you up at the airport or train station and take you to Colonia Esperanza. Please contact any of three contact persons listed below with information about your travel plans.Students are welcome to drive and park their own vehicles at the school in Colonia Esperanza. Having your own car may be a more convenient way to explore the area. If you plan to bring your own car it is recommended that you obtain Mexican insurance. It costs approx. 6$ per day, many auto insurance companies offer special rider insurance plans for Mexico at a lower cost. Please inform the contact people of your transportation plans.
Health Insurance
--Address
--City, State, Zip
--Home Phone/Day Phone
--Age
--Insurance Co. Name
--Complete Address of Insurance Co.
--Insurance Phone
--Name of Insurance Agent
--Insurance Policy Number
La Rosa Blanca Contacts
If you have any questions about the program or would like to arrange a time and date to arrive in San Diego or Tijuana, please contact any of the following people:Christine Brady Kosko # 011-5266-26-46-98
Jim Hubbell # (760) 765-0171
By mail: La Rosa Blanca
% 930 Orchard Lane
Santa Ysabel, CA 92070
email: americas@mail.tij.cetys.mx
Cost
Tuition costs cover room and board, and basic overhead
costs. This is a non-profit program.
Please include a check that covers at least one half
of the cost of the tuition for the session with your application.
What to Bring
Spending money ($) for extra activities
and food.
Proof of Citizenship
Sleeping Bag/Pillow
Extra Blanket/Sheet
Water Bottle
Sketch Book/Sketch Materials/Watercolors
Compact Set of Drafting Materials
(optional)
Journal/Book
Camera/Film
Personal Working Tools
Work gloves/Rubber gloves
Safe Shoes
Sun Hat
Sun Block
Sunglasses
Casual Clothes (cool nights/hot
days)
Bathing Suit
Personal Toiletries
Towel
Day Pack/Fanny Pack
English-Spanish/Spanish-English
Dictionary
Prescriptions
Flashlight
Musical Instrument (optional)
La Rosa Blanca Application
--Name
--Address
--Home Phone/Day Phone
--Age
--Person to contact in case of emergency
--Health concerns that La Rosa Blanca should be informed
of
--Previous construction experience
--Passport number
--Driver's License Number & State
--Education and/or Work Background
--Do you speak Spanish?
--Previous cross cultural experiences
--What do you hope to learn through La Rosa Blanca?
--What would you like to share with La Rosa Blanca?
--Please enclose a check with you application.
Three-Day Fun Camp & Workshop
When? July 10 - 12, 1997Cost? $10.00/Day for Lunch & Breaksfast, etc.
What to bring? Sleeping Bag, Mat, Hat, Gloves, Tools.
Transportation: Meet at the school at 8:00 AM, July 10th. We can arrange to have someone meet you at the H St. Trolley Station in Chula Vista.
For More information please call: (760) 765-0171
or email: christine@americasfoundation.net