Construction of the school in 2011
Before we started teaching at the school, we taught the kids and our workshops outdoors in the nearby fields, at the people’s community areas, or through renting the space at neighbours and people who were able to provide the space.
In 2011, after receiving generous donations from our volunteers and supporters, PASPLE was able to purchase a piece of land in Matapuquio nearby the village of Chupaca, overlooking the nearby valley. Initially a piece of sloping land almost at the top of the hill, it would become the building site of our first school project. With the help of many more donations of our volunteers and supporters, a lot of work from volunteers and people in the community, we built an entire school building from the ground up.
Teaching at the school
At present, PASPLE teaches children of all ages, from three year olds to thirteen year olds, in as much as three classes at the same time. Most children in this remote part of Peru would otherwise have no real chance for an education because they are often required to work in the field with their parents (sometimes as young as three years old). Though public school in Peru is mandatory, in the remotest parts of the country these laws are not enforced and many children grow up missing their chance to get educated. The school provides a safe environment that stands at the heart of the community, through educating their children and providing workshops to their madres and padres on the importance of education, sanitary practices, and social-economic problems like domestic violence and small business opportunities.
Besides having volunteers teach English, PASPLE teaches mathematics, algebra, computer and technology lessons, crafts, some P.E. and technical classes (teaching the basics of physics, electricity basics and hands-on work like basic woodwork) to children up to the age of thirteen. Currently, we also teach the same classes sporadically to parents and adults in the region in light of our program Education for Sustainability.
Educating for Sustainability is learning that links knowledge, inquiry, and action to help students (young and old alike) to build a healthy future for their communities and the planet.
You can support these programs by navigating to our Causes page and getting involved. See what YOU can do to make a change!
Besides Eli and Nilton teaching the kids in school, we have a team of volunteers (from the region) but also from abroad, working with PASPLE on short terms. We support and guide children in preparing their homework for our school but also for the public school, where many children lack the support and guidance by the state’s education system. Many children in our school come to school in the late afternoon’s after the public school to enjoy additional education in subjects they might not get in regular school.
Our volunteers at PASPLE aim to accomplish the human and spiritual formation of our children, which often adds to their worldview through the exposure to foreign volunteers staying at the PASPLE Volunteer House which enriches their views.
