By Rodrigo Pereyra | Fundraising Officer
Quarterly Impact Overview (Apr to Jun 2026)
Names have been changed to protect the children’s privacy.
Key Highlights: Building Skills for the School Year
Following our January to March vacation programme, Picaflor House returned to a steady weekly routine, with classes that reinforce what children learn at their schools.
Digital skills. Our computer classes moved step by step. In April the children learned the parts of a computer, how to switch it on and off properly, and how to draw in a word processor. In May they explored the keyboard and the purpose of keys such as Windows, Alt and Ctrl. By June they could explain what an operating system is and recognise when a computer has a virus. Attendance in these classes is consistently strong and the children are eager to learn more.
Reading and communication. In April our reading club focused on slow, attentive reading with books chosen by the children, plus work on adverbs and dictation. In May the students studied adjectives, demonstrative adjectives and verb conjugation. In June they learned when to use the letters B and V, question marks and capital letters, and practised reading comprehension. Our method is simple and effective: the teacher explains the topic first, and then each child completes a worksheet so we can see what they have understood.
English, movement and play. In June, English classes introduced greetings, self-introductions and the parts of the body through songs and worksheets, with the support of our international volunteers. Rhythmic gymnastics sessions, using a variety of materials, help children relax while developing coordination and flexibility.
Celebrating Our Families
Families are at the heart of Picaflor House, and two celebrations brought them together this quarter.
Mother’s Day (May). Thirty-five mothers took part as the guests of honour. The children recited poems, and the mothers joined in games including a flip-flop game, a ball-snatching game and a lemon relay, before everyone shared a meal. It was, in the words of our team, a happy and unforgettable moment.
Father’s Day (June). Twenty-five fathers attended on time and took part in every activity: a potato-peeling race, a handkerchief-grabbing game, tug-of-war and football. The day closed with a shared meal between fathers and children. Participants’ comments included “What a beautiful moment” and “I had fun”.
Stories of Transformation
Lucía (12) arrived afraid of speaking in public, doubting what she knew and staying out of class activities. Our teachers first worked on her confidence, helping her see that everyone makes mistakes and that mistakes are part of learning. Today Lucía asks questions when she is in doubt and does her homework together with her classmates. We still have work to do on her confidence, but she has improved a great deal.
Mateo (11) used to sit apart from the others, do his work alone and never ask for help. Today he is friends with everyone in his class and works in teams. Picaflor House has become a place where children lose their shyness, because we treat everyone equally, like one family that looks after its own.
Valeria (10) found handwriting, spelling and mathematics difficult. Thanks to new, playful teaching activities, her performance has improved notably, and her progress continues.
Challenges and Resilience
Several external factors affected the quarter. Cold and rainy weather kept some children at home in April. We also compete for children’s time with the municipal sports activities, such as football and volleyball, with other organisations offering similar activities, and with the municipal library, whose computers attract some of our students.
Even so, families keep choosing Picaflor House: enrolment held between 50 and 59 children every month of the quarter.
A Message from Our Families
“Picaflor House is a place where my daughter can come to learn, and I know she will be fed. I work until night, and it helps me a lot with her schoolwork. She is so happy to come that she does not want to miss a day.” — Rosa, mother of a student
“I am very grateful because my daughter learns English, and the programme keeps her away from social media. I also appreciate the meals: many families cannot cook at home or help with schoolwork because of lack of time. This programme is free and it helps us in many ways.” — Carmen, mother of a student
The Power of Global Solidarity: Our Volunteers
This quarter, volunteers from Italy and Ireland supported our teachers in the classroom, especially in English and in keeping classes lively and orderly. Their presence gives our staff extra hands and gives the children a window onto the wider world.
“I have really enjoyed my time at Picaflor. I especially like the English classes. Having the teacher in the room during class helps me a lot, because the children sometimes talk too much.” — Dany, volunteer from Ireland
“I always felt very good here, and from the first moment I felt very welcome, especially with the children. At the beginning it was hard to keep control and authority in my classes, but over time I gained more authority and the children treated me with more respect. I also learned techniques to keep order and help the children follow the rules.” — Irene, volunteer from Italy
Looking Ahead
Over the coming months we plan to extend the programme to more children and vulnerable families in the community, renovate our dining area, improve our vegetable garden, and create a system to follow each child’s academic progress individually. We will also keep strengthening our network of local and international volunteers, introduce new learning areas, and visit other organisations that work with children to exchange experience.
Thank You for Your Support
Every lunch served, every class taught, and every family celebration this quarter was possible because of your generosity. Thank you for standing with Globalteer and investing in the children of Oropesa. To stay even closer to our work, we invite you to join our new WhatsApp channel, where you can follow our community projects and see firsthand how our days unfold at Picaflor House.
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