During the week of 23-29 June 2003 Un Mundo delivered a full size school bus to the Insitituto de la Cuenca high school and helped the students of the high school paint a beautiful mural on its sides.

In honor and memory of Minke Zijlstra, who passed away shortly after visiting El Pital, her fiancé Allard Froon has teamed up with Un Mundo, creating a very special project to help educate the children of El Pital. Allard's project not only supplied a bus, but also a self-sustaining fund to help maintain the bus and provide scholarships for local school children.

The Minke Stichting was established shortly after Minke's death to memorialize her example of love and service. The bus was placed in the name of the Association of Parents of Students, who before receiving the bus had to formalize their association to legally assume bus ownership, gather US$500 in a bank account to maintain the bus, and establish a transparent accounting system. The motivation for putting the bus in the name of the Association of Parents of Students was to at once eschew corrupt government institutions while promoting unity among civil society members and impressing upon them that only they can authentically defend their rights and promote their interests.

To learn more about Minke and her bus please visit http://www.minkestichting.org.

Two volunteer muralists, Rachel McIntire and Annie Pelligrini, working intensively with local art coordinator Mirian Hernandez, helped students muralize the bus.

Reported McIntire, "From sunrise to sunset students led by Mirian painted the sides of the bus with diligence and excitement. For most students it was their first experience holding a paintbrush, but this minor detail didn't cause a moment of hesitation. They eagerly dipped their brushes into the paint with confidence."

The final mural design depicted the future goals of the students. Students of the high school chose to name Minke's bus La Esperanza del Futuro and painted on it their hands emerging from a river, with each hand gripping an object representing what they want to accomplish with their education. Powerful fists, holding symbols representing doctors, artists, teachers, electricians and futbolistas, now emblazon La Esperanza del Futuro as it barrels though the river valley of El Pital.

At the inauguration of the bus, students celebrated the bus with song and spoke about their gratitude for the bus. Students who painted the bus also received certificates of participation. A beautiful letter from Minke's family and friends communicating their best wishes and Minke's spirit was read to the silent crowd. And finally, everyone piled into the bus and enjoyed a raucous victory lap around the area!