Higher education for Amazonian youth in Peru

1.- General Context and Current Situation:

The Brother Policarpo Student Residence in Yurimaguas, Peru, remains committed to the
comprehensive education of youth from indigenous, riverside, and peripheral urban
communities studying at the "Monseñor Elías Olázar" Public Pedagogical Higher Education
Institute.
During the first semester of the 2025 school year (March-August), the residence faced
persistent economic and social challenges due to limited governmental attention and
insufficient resources, particularly in a regional context marked by economic inequalities
and a lack of institutional support for higher education and intercultural bilingual education.
This year, the residence welcomed 30 students from various rural and indigenous
communities who initially faced difficulties, mainly regarding cultural adaptation and the
use of digital tools required for their education. In response, priority has been given to
incorporating specific digital resources and successfully enrolling all students at the
Pedagogical Institute, essential and successful activities highlighted by the team led by
Brother Mariano Soria.

2.- Recent Activities and Progress:

2.1. Activities Carried Out (March-August 2025):
1. Opening and start of the Residence operations (March).
2. Personal and psychological interviews with new students (March).
3. Successful enrollment of all students at the Pedagogical Institute (March).
4. Initial orientation about academic and cultural habits (March-April).
5. Implementation of specific workshops on basic digital skills (April-May).
6. Continuous academic monitoring and coordination with Pedagogical Institute tutors
(March-August).
7. Workshops on positive coexistence and commitment to the Internal Regulations (April).
8. Daily nutritional support and regular health monitoring (March-August).
9. Weekly community maintenance activities on the residence farmland (March-August).
10. Participation of students in local civic and patriotic events in Yurimaguas (May-July).
11. Celebration of Teacher's Day and other significant dates with community involvement
(July).
12. Voluntary service to the Pedagogical Institute and local community (March-August).

2.2. Activities Planned until December 2025:

13. Continued personalized and reinforced academic follow-up.
14. Regular workshops on nutrition and disease prevention.
15. Strengthening emotional and psychological support in coordination with the local
Health Center.
16. Continuous workshops on intercultural coexistence and internal regulations.
17. Regular medical exams and preventive healthcare (anemia, underweight, malaria,
COVID-19, HIV).
18. Active promotion of community volunteering and integral social service.

3.- Project Evaluation and Financial Overview:

In this first semester, the residence has effectively overcome social and economic barriers
through a comprehensive approach involving balanced nutrition, constant emotional
support, and digital empowerment, highlighted as innovative and essential for this course.
General Objective for the second semester of 2025:
Ensure comprehensive training and educational sustainability of resident students,
emphasizing the continuity of academic, emotional, and nutritional support.
Monitor and ensure academic performance of resident students.
Maintain daily balanced meals contributing to good academic performance and health.
Facilitate effective intercultural integration.
Provide training in Christian values, fostering their community promotion.
Ensure adequate staffing for comprehensive student support.

Updated Budget for the 2025 Academic Year:

Food for 30 students: PEN 63,000.00
Kitchen staff (12 months): PEN 12,000.00
Basic services (electricity, water, internet): PEN 8,820.00
Additional staff (assistant): PEN 1,800.00
Fuel (gasoline and gas): PEN 7,488.00
Office materials (paper, photocopies, toner): PEN 1,620.00
Emergencies and general maintenance: PEN 5,000.00
Total Budget: PEN 99,728.00 (~EUR 20,942)

Funding Sources:

Corazonistas Foundation-Madrid: 80% (PEN 80,000.00)
Monseñor Elías Olázar Pedagogical Institute: 5% (PEN 4,500.00)
Occasional support from local governments and charitable entities: approximately 15%
The project's sustainability continues to depend fundamentally on the collaboration with
Corazonistas Foundation-Madrid, without whose support this educational initiative could
not be properly sustained.
The Brothers of the Sacred Heart in Yurimaguas once again express their deep gratitude to
Corazonistas Foundation-Madrid and all collaborators. Regular and transparent evaluations
will continue to ensure continuous improvement and strengthening of this essential project.

Links:

• https://fundacioncorazonistas.org/que-hacemos/cooperacion-internacional/archivo-de-proyectos/
• https://www.gob.pe/iesppolazar
• Factors Influencing School Dropout in Indigenous Upper Amazon

• Progress_Report_12._Hermano_Policarpo_August2025.docx.pdf (PDF)
  
• Annex 4.3 - STRATEGIC PROJECT BROTHER POLICARPO RE (PDF)
  
• Photograph_Report_12._Hermano_Policarpo_August2025.docx.pdf (PDF)
  

PROGRESS REPORT: BROTHER POLICARPO STUDENT RESIDENCE PROJECT - March 2025

December 2024 - March 2025

1.- Overview and Context:

The primary goal of the "Brother Policarpo Student Residence" in Yurimaguas, Peru, remains to ensure comprehensive education and support for young students coming from indigenous communities, riverside villages, and peripheral urban areas attending the "Monsignor Elías Olázar Public Pedagogical Higher Education School."

Throughout 2024, despite significant economic, social, and political challenges, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart have persisted in maintaining this project dedicated to empowering youth through quality education and integral human-Christian values formation. The residence provides essential services, including housing, nutrition, emotional support, and academic assistance, particularly leveraging digital tools crucial for academic success and personal development.

Brother Mariano Soria, a Brother of the Sacred Heart responsible for leading the Brother Policarpo Residence Project, emphasizes ongoing challenges caused by governmental neglect and insufficient resources. He stresses that the invaluable support from Fundación Corazonista-Madrid has been essential to maintaining this vital educational initiative and will remain crucial as preparations begin for the new academic year in March 2025.

2.- Recent Activities and Developments:

2.1. Key Activities Completed (September – December 2024):

1. Concluding personal and psychological evaluations of current students (November-December)
2. Regular operation and maintenance of residence facilities (September-December)
3. Final workshops on study habits, productive leisure activities, local music, and dance (October-December)
4. End-of-year academic progress evaluations and coordination with academic tutors (December)
5. Weekly evaluations, assignments, and responsibility rotation (September-December)
6. Continuous nutritional support and health monitoring for residents (September-December)
7. House, farm, and facility upkeep. House, farm, and facility upkeep (September-December), weekly community work on the Residence's farmland
8. Catechesis and Christian celebrations. Participation of students in civic and patriotic events at Yurimaguas Central Plaza (September-December)
9. Volunteering and community service initiatives (September-December)
10. Annual project evaluation and financial reporting to supporting organizations (December)

2.2. Preparatory Activities for the Academic Year Starting March 2025:

1. Personal and psychological interviews with potential new students (February-March 2025)
2. Residence preparation for new academic year intake (February-March 2025)
3. Orientation and welcoming of new students (March 2025)
4. Initial workshops on study habits, interpersonal skills, and cultural integration (March 2025)

3.- Project Evaluation and Financial Overview:

1. The Brother Policarpo Residence has provided critical support in 2024, enabling students from highly vulnerable backgrounds to successfully complete their studies at the Higher Education School "Monsignor Elías Olázar." Students from rural and indigenous communities faced significant economic and social barriers. The residence addressed these effectively through targeted nutritional programs, emotional support, and enhanced digital literacy.

Primary Goal for 2025:

1. To continue providing comprehensive educational services, housing, and integral formation to disadvantaged students attending the Public Pedagogical Higher Education School in Yurimaguas during the academic year 2025.

Objectives for 2025:

1. Ensure continued academic success and monitoring of students residing in the Brother Policarpo Residence.
2. Maintain daily nutritious meals to support health and academic performance.
3. Foster intercultural integration and compliance with responsibilities.
4. Provide Christian values formation, empowering students as community role models.
5. Secure adequate funding and staffing for effective operation and comprehensive support.

Detailed Budget Projection for 2025:

• Food supplies for 30 students: PEN 63,000.00
• Cook's salary (12 months): PEN 12,000.00
• Basic services (electricity, water, internet): PEN 8,820.00
• Additional assistant: PEN 1,800.00
• Fuel (gasoline and gas): PEN 7,488.00
• Office supplies (paper, photocopies, toner): PEN 1,620.00
• Emergency funds and maintenance: PEN 5,000.00

Total Budget: PEN 99,728.00 (~EUR 20,942)

Funding Sources:

• Fundación Corazonista-Madrid: 80% (PEN 80,000.00)
• Monsignor Elías Olázar Pedagogical School: 5% (PEN 4,500.00)
• Local government and charitable organizations (limited support): approximately 15%

The Brothers of the Sacred Heart in Yurimaguas express their sincere gratitude to Fundación Corazonista-Madrid and all supporting entities for their invaluable assistance. Regular assessments and transparent financial reporting will ensure continued accountability and the improvement of this essential social project.

Links:

• 2023 Project Summary
• Corazonistas Foundation website

• Report_11_Global_Giving_march_25_Hno._Policarpo.docx.pdf (PDF)