A brand new building gleaming under the Uruguayan sun This is Liceo 67 in Piedras Blancas. It’s a modern marvel a testament to the Uruguayan government’s investment in education. Over 72 million pesos were poured into its construction. That’s over 2.2 million US dollars back in 2019.
Liceo 67 boasts a spacious 1910 square meters of indoor space. Add another 1815 square meters of outdoor area. Ten classrooms stand ready two laboratories beckon. A computer lab hums a library whispers. Even a multi-purpose hall awaits. There’s a cafeteria a dining hall an elevator. And of course offices and a caretaker’s space. Outside are sports fields and a garden. A true educational center.
But Liceo 67’s story isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s a story of challenges and triumphs. The school opened to a hail of stones. Angry neighbors didn’t want it on their block. The first director Maria Jose Guerra remembers the struggle. She fought for a bus route to stop directly outside. Kids were robbed walking ten blocks from the main road. Their phones and even their clothes were taken.
The area has issues. Drug dealing is rife. Even the teachers and staff weren’t safe. The school’s perimeter fence was repeatedly vandalized. Security guards wouldn’t leave their posts. Fear of gunfire reigned. One teacher found a stolen Ceibal laptop traded for a fighting cock. Yes a fighting cock. The school’s actas record the bizarre exchange.
But there are heroes too. Teachers who chose to stay despite the dangers. Those who showed love and understanding to students with difficult home lives. Students who faced adversity yet dreamed of better futures. One geography teacher even organizes annual heritage tours. Students act as guides showcasing the area’s hidden gems. This is not your typical school.
Liceo 67 faces immense societal challenges. Poverty substance abuse violence. Yet it stands as a symbol of hope. A testament to those who strive for education in difficult circumstances. A place where kids learn not only academics but resilience. The students’ powerful painted sign speaks volumes No soy lo que me ha pasado Soy lo que decido ser. I am not what happened to me I am what I choose to be. Liceo 67’s story is a story of struggle a story of hope a story of what education can achieve.