Andean Alliance and Rivas School 2008

Our NGO, Andean Alliance will be working with the local school again this year. Rivas School is a half an hour walk from here and has been in existence for 30 years. It is a 2 room school which provides basic education to Quechua and Spanish speaking children. The children who attend this school come from marginalized families who have little education themselves or financial resources. Many children go there because of their language skills. As Quechua speakers they are not accepted in the Huaraz schools. As well, the school serves as a stepping stone for kids and parents to learn how to work separately and have more independence.

One classroom is run by the Profesora Beatrice who has been there for 15 years and has provided much stability and support for the school and the families. She teaches 4 grades, Grades 1 - 4 , in one classroom with limited material and human resources.

The second classroom houses a government run pre-kinder program for children 3 to 5 years of age. It has been run for the last few years by Proferora Maria.

In both classrooms the children who first enter use Quechua as their first language and learn to use Spanish.

Since 2004 Andean Alliance has supported the school by providing infrastructure development, volunteers, a daily nutritional breakfast and teacher support. The successes have been the installation of electricity, a new roof for the kitchen, a garden, a solar shower, painted desks and chairs, a perimeter wall for security, a new exhaust system for the kitchen, windows, teaching materials, shelves and some volunteer support.

This year, 2008, Andean Alliance will be providing a local Quechua, Spanish and English speaking volunteer to work one half day a week with Profesora Beatrice. They will be developing reading comprehension skills, logical thinking, and imagination while reinforcing self esteem.

We will continue providing a daily recess snack which is organized by the parent group. There will be fresh milk, fruit, yoghurt and pancakes.

The goal for this year is also to start to develop a library which will be used by the children and community.

Structurally the school needs completely new bathrooms and a play area. Proposals are under way but will take time, push and [patience to get this from the local government.

If you would like to contribute to this project by means of a financial donation, a physical donation of material or volunteer time, please talk with us.