The elementary school teacher Francisco Javier Montelongo Guzmán , also known as “The teacher of the van,” has started handing out sweatshirts in exchange for cash donations. The money raised is meant to improve conditions at the school of which he is the principal.
In addition to looking for sponsors to hand out uniforms and school supplies for all students, the teacher drives a 1989 van from his home to pick up his students and then drive them back home after school.
In an interview, he explained that his idea to sell sweatshirts came when a woman sent him seven sweatshirts for the neediest children.
“I had some sweatshirts made with prints of the van and I even uploaded a photo on Facebook . Several friends were interested in purchasing the sweatshirts and so they asked me to have some made for them,” told the teacher.
“Although we are just starting, I have already delivered 75 sweatshirts of different sizes , though there are other clients on hold,” Montelongo commented.
When asked about how he planned to use the money, he replied that he planned to buy a sheet metal roof, finish building the toilets, and buying an air conditioning system for one of the classrooms.
dm