Classes held by candlelight and illuminated by mobile phones will soon be a thing of the past for María Vanessa León Peraza and her colleague Mila González, who provide tutoring at the El Tejar Residents’ Association in Puerto de la Cruz. Nearly 30 children will also benefit from the change, along with local domino club members who can return to their usual venue.
The announcement came yesterday from Alonso Acevedo, the councillor for General Services, who confirmed that electrical works will start on Monday after a lengthy wait. Vanessa remarked, “I won’t believe it until I see it,” reflecting the nearly year-long struggle that has forced both teachers and students to cope with inadequate conditions after the electricity supply was cut off last September due to unauthorised modifications.
During this time, the teachers and students have endured cold and darkness in the building located on Canastilleras street. On Monday morning, they are to hand over the keys to the contractor undertaking the works, and classes will temporarily relocate to a nearby venue opposite the Municipal Market and César Manrique school, known locally as the ‘Moncloa bar.’
While the town hall has not provided a specific timeline, the complete electrical overhaul is expected to take at least four weeks.
“This has been a battle, and while it took a long time, we’ve won. Families are thrilled and grateful, knowing what we’ve been through. They supported us from the beginning, even in these poor conditions,” said Vanessa.
It’s noteworthy that she escalated the issue to the Ombudsman, believing that no other association in Puerto de la Cruz faced a situation quite like that of El Tejar and acknowledging the significant help the tutoring service has provided to families over the past 14 years.
