Serving over 300 indigenous people, our unique Intercultural school in the Shipibo indigenous community of Puerto Fiermeza in the Peruvian Amazon combines Western and traditional indigenous forms of knowledge in order to provide high-quality education that strengthens cultural identity and empowers indigenous youth from an early age. The teaching of traditional agricultural and forestry practices provides sustainably grown and nutrient rich food sources for the students and community.
Schools in indigenous communities in Peru offer poor quality education with insufficient resources, unmotivated teachers, and few classes. The curriculum places little value on indigenous culture, causing many indigenous youth to lose their language and customs. Additionally, food insecurity and malnourishment are serious problems due to unsustainable agricultural and fishing practices, and schools do not prepare students or the community to confront these issues, essential to their survival.
Shipibo professors and elders at the school at Puerto Firmeza not only provide a high-quality Western education, but also use 8 interactive learning zones to teach Shipibo students about ancient agricultural practices, medicinal plant knowledge, traditional art and music, and more. The school leads efforts in building and maintaining knowledge in sustainable agriculture and fish farms that students learn to cultivate and cook towards a more sustainable future for students and community.
The school at Puerto Firmeza has already created visible results and engendered high praise from community members, neighboring schools, and the Regional Government. We aim to replicate the program across the Peruvian Amazon, and work closely with the Peruvian Ministry of Education to develop it as part of the national intercultural education curriculum, improving access to quality education and benefitting indigenous youth nationwide.
This project is important because we are helping to preserve our culture that many young people are leaving behind. Another great part is learning about medicinal plants that help people who are sick.
- Linder Eduardo Ochavano Diaz, Students in fifth grade secondary school
Total Funding Received to Date: $10,175
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $23,125
Total Funding Goal: $33,300
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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