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Students in the agricultural city of Cochabamba, Bolivia face many barriers to staying in school. On a municipal level, public education resources and government engagement are poor. On a family level, some parents don’t understand the importance of finishing school. Combined with individual student challenges – food insecurity, domestic conflict – struggling students are inclined to drop out. Finding work seems like the better choice.
Which is why our PENNT sponsor site’s daily after-school program is an integral part of their work. From Monday to Friday, the program is a safe, supportive place for children and teens. They eat nutritious meals, get individualized help with their schoolwork, and have space and opportunity to have fun and be kids. Through this program, PENNT staff help more children achieve better academic results and stay in school longer.
They have partnered with Chalice to continue their daily after-school program for three years. They work in four parishes and will support 650 children and 340 parents in that timespan. In each of the four parishes, including kitchens for meal preparation. These spaces are available for the site to use, free of cost.
When children enroll, the staff will assess their ‘baseline’ and identify academic challenges that need support. Educators will tutor and support them with the subjects where they need the most help. The staff’s goal is to at least 90% of participants completing the school year, with 80% improving their academic performance.
But it’s not all work and no play. The children and youth will also get to play games and sports, and participate in cultural and creative activities like dance, art, and music. There will even be field trips. The site is planning Holy Week and Corpus Christi activities, Children’s Day, and Student Day celebrations.
The site knows that engaging parents is an important key to success. They will run information and training workshops on the importance of supporting their children to stay in school. Topics will include: family and education, values, ‘Do I know my children?’, non-violence, and cultivating family time.
They will also involve the parents in preparing and serving the students’ daily meals. The meals are central to the program’s success. Sample menu items include spicy chicken and noodles with apple juice and Jello, or empanadas and a glass of milk. The students are highly motivated to stay after school if they’re going to be fed. Having eaten well, they are healthier and have more energy to focus on their tutors and participate in social activities. Site staff will monitor their nutritional progress.
The PENNT site is requesting $271,211.16 CAD for three years. This includes educators’ and cooks’ salaries, classroom materials, cleaning materials for five kitchens, and meals for 500 students, five days per week.
Program Location: PENNT, Bolivia
Program Code: HDPBPC0124
Budget in Canadian Funds: $271,211.16 CAD
DONATEPlease note that any donations that exceed the request will be used to fund other community projects that may arise.