Recently, as part of our organic school gardens project, we worked with three new school partners and trained four youth leaders from each community in the theories and techniques of organic gardening. These young adults have since helped the schools develop their own organic gardens. Pueblo a Pueblo continues to advise the youth leaders with monthly visits, and further supports them with leadership and management skills that they can apply to other areas of their lives!
"We plan to continue expanding the model of youth leaders of organic gardens to other communities to help increase food security and to help the youth become leaders. The hope is that the youth will find ways to improve their communities and promote wellbeing, as well as obtain new skills to face challenges as they become adults." – Ana, School Health and Nutrition Project Manager
WASH Student Ambassadors
This past August 2015, Pueblo a Pueblo completed construction on and inaugurated a new school bathroom in the community of Nueva Vida. It has comprised of five student toilets, one urinal and a small hand washing station! To help support the school with the ongoing long term management of these facilities, students who demonstrated strong leadership skills were selected to be WASH Student Ambassadors. As Ambassadors, they help educate their fellow students about the importance of hygiene and sanitation.
This past week, the WASH Ambassadors demonstrated their commitment by organizing and leading an Environmental Cleanup Awareness Walk in Nueva Vida. It was a successful community-wide event with hundreds of youth, parents and teachers participating!
“Our hope is that the teachers, students and community will become the main actors to encourage good student hygiene at the school.” – Tomás, WASH Project Coordinator
Student Library Club, Pathways to Literacy Project
In the community of La Cumbre, Pueblo a Pueblo’s newest school library is flourishing! Since this past April, the library averages 300 student visits each month. There are over 1,000 books for all students to use and best of all, we have supported the development of a student library club!
The Student Library Club is made up of eight children from 3rd through 6th grades - selected based on their personal interests in and frequent use of the library resources. These children have been given the shared task of providing support to their peers and younger students in weekly library activities. Recently, on September 9th, the Student Library Club promoted International Literacy Day by reading stories to their peers during school recess!
“The goal is that the Student Library Club will become an integral part of the library program so that not only the teachers and librarians feel responsible for maintaining the activities, but also the students themselves.” Lillie, Child Education Program Assistant