Scholarships

Like in Pomasqui, the project in Guaraqui started with the provision of sponsorships for children from exceptionally poor families. In order not to alienate the sponsored children from their community, our aim is always to provide also assistance to the local school. At the present day, many of the children sponsored by Pro Vita Andina made their way to the high school of Tabacundo and some even pursue university studies.

School

The elementary school in Guaraqui gives space to two classrooms for 35 children in 6 class levels. Thus, 3 class levels are taught in one classroom at the same time. Emilio Toapanta, the schoolmaster, would be in charge of this crowd all by himself would Pro Vita Andina not pay an extra salary for Laura Cuzco, a young and energetic teacher which has not yet been employed by the state. By doing so, we could assure that during periods of teacher strikes class continues since privately paid teachers are not allowed to go on strike.

With great enthusiasm, the pupils participated in the project “Weltweit Wichteln”. Under guidance of our volunteers Stefanie Thürmer and Pascal Sicking, the imp dolls were finally exchanged with those created by children from the elementary school of Auenwald (Lippoldsweiler).

School kitchen

All projects funded by Pro Vita Andina maintain a market garden which is supplied by seeds from Germany. What was missing was a school kitchen that can provide the pupils with a healthy diet. The completion took place in february 2005 and was celebrated with a party for the children. Our volunteers Anna and Isabelle prepared games with little rewards for the winners. Above, they introduced, as we did before in Pomasqui, a Mother-child-project for all kinds of handicrafts. Within this project, also the felt technique was taught to the participants. Some of the crafts were displayed and offered at the inauguration party to interested visitors. Pro Vita Andina continues to facilitate the possibility to produce arts and crafts from felt. One of the women’s group did also plant a market garden.

Day nursery

In the meantime the women’s group got the idea to use the school kitchen as a day care centre for children and sent an inquiry to the ministry for approval. As a result, the project became completely independent from our help at the end of 2005.