Higher education for Amazonian youth in Peru

Review Visit Report on the Project: Higher Education for Amazonian Youth in Peru - July 2024

Since Wednesday, June 26th, Professors Asier Gila and Julen Negueruela from Fundación Corazonistas of Spain have been in Peru conducting a review visit to the "Hno Policarpo Student Hostel." After a long journey, they arrived in Yurimaguas, where, alongside Brothers Roberto, Lupicinio, and Mariano, the project leaders, they were able to witness firsthand the impactful social work being carried out at both the "School of Higher Pedagogical Education" and the hostel itself.

During their stay, the professors not only observed and understood the cultural and daily dynamics of the Amazonian region but also immersed themselves in the personal stories of the students. These young people shared their challenges and dreams, explaining how the Hno Policarpo Student Hostel has been a fundamental pillar in their lives, providing them with emotional support, educational guidance, and the security of having their basic needs met.

One of the residents, María, expressed her gratitude: "Thanks to the Hostel, I can focus on my studies without worrying about what I will eat or where I will sleep. Here, I have found not just a home, but a family that supports me in every way." These testimonials not only reflect the positive impact of your support but also reaffirm the importance of your ongoing commitment.

Project Monitoring and Evaluation

The project is subject to a rigorous system of continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure its efficiency and transparency in management. The visit by the professors from Fundación Corazonistas has confirmed the positive progress on the ground. Quarterly progress reports have been received, and team meetings have been held to analyze and correct any deviations, none of which have been significant. Brother Mariano Soria, the local coordinator, is responsible for overseeing the project on-site and ensuring that the project's objectives are fully met.

The funds allocated to the project have been disbursed in two parts, with the second disbursement contingent on meeting objectives and correcting any deviations identified in the July progress reports. Additionally, Fundación Corazonistas promotes ongoing reflection throughout the project's development, allowing for adjustments in strategies, timelines, actions, and resources to maximize impact.

Specific Objectives in Full Implementation

• Combat school failure and dropout: Through continuous monitoring of the academic progress of students during the 2024 school year, initial academic deficiencies are being addressed. Status: 50% completed.
• Facilitate access to higher education: Providing nutritious and quality food that enhances the well-being and performance of both residents and other vulnerable students in Yurimaguas. Status: In progress.
• Promote intercultural integration: Strengthening the indigenous culture of the students and ensuring that they fulfill their responsibilities in the residence. Status: Ongoing.
• Strengthen comprehensive human education: Promoting Christian values and principles that students will carry to their communities in the future. Status: Ongoing.
• Ensure trained personnel availability: To support and guide the students at the Hno Policarpo Residence. Status: Ongoing.

Impact Stories

Currently, 30 students reside at the Hno Policarpo Residence. Among them, 14 are men and 4 are women, who are sisters of the residents. Additionally, there are young students from the Monsignor Elías Olázar Public Pedagogical Higher Education Institute who live in human settlements in the city and face significant needs due to their precarious family situations. Some are unable to access the residence due to the limited availability of spaces, highlighting the importance of continuing to support and expand this project.

"You, the donor, made this happen." The lives transformed and the dreams realized are a direct testimony to your generosity and commitment to this cause. Thanks to your support, these young people are one step closer to breaking the cycle of poverty and reaching a future full of hope. Your impact is real, tangible, and deeply appreciated by each of the beneficiaries.

We will continue to keep you informed about the progress and achievements of this project, as well as share more success stories that are made possible thanks to your invaluable support. Thank you for being part of this transformative mission!

Links:

• Review Visit Report on the Project: Higher Education for Amazoni

• Report 8. Higher education for Amazonian youth in (PDF)
  

Index

New Academic Year 2024:2

General Objective and Specific Objectives Achieved in the Year 2024:2

Number of project beneficiaries in 2024:3

Quantifiable Indicators:4

Schedule of activities for preparation for the current 2024 academic year:4

Budget to be executed during the year 2024:5

Collaborations with official, local, and regional institutions:5

Project Monitoring:6

Acknowledgments:6

Links and photographs6

New Academic Year 2024:

The situation in Peru continues to be affected by the severe economic crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and internal conflicts, leading to an increase in the prices of basic food items. As a result, in this year 2024, many young people from rural and indigenous communities face challenges when entering the Monseñor Elías Olázar Public Pedagogical Higher Education Institute in Yurimaguas. The lack of accommodation and difficulty in affording adequate food negatively impact their academic performance and increase the risk of school dropout.

The Hermano Policarpo Residence, led by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, provides comprehensive education to young people from rural indigenous communities without profit. It focuses on human and Christian formation and provides support to low-income students in the city, especially in digital resources and food. Despite challenges such as obtaining legal recognition and state funding, the residence persists in its mission. Established in 2019 as part of the Monseñor Elías Olázar Public Pedagogical Higher Education Institute, the residence aims to support excluded youth in their quest for opportunities and improvement. Despite facing difficulties such as the construction of a new educational complex, the residence continues to operate in a donated house, constantly improving its facilities for the benefit of students.

The "Hermano Policarpo" Project stands out for its focus on instilling human and Christian values in students from marginalized communities. Based on commitment, effort, and faith, this non-profit initiative offers support and faith-based education to residents of the Pucaloma neighborhood. It is committed to continuing to be a comprehensive training center for students of the Monseñor Elías Olázar Public Pedagogical Higher Education Institute, preparing them as agents of change in their communities, with a solid academic foundation and Christian values, contributing to the development of the Amazon region.

General Objective and Specific Objectives Achieved in the Year 2024:

General Objective: To promote the provision of high-quality services to students from indigenous communities and human settlements, in order to ensure their comprehensive training as teachers at the Yurimaguas Public Pedagogical Higher Education Institute, from the Hermano Policarpo Residence during the academic year 2024.

Specific Objectives:

1. Combat academic failure and dropout rates by continuously monitoring the academic progress of residence students during the academic year 2024 and addressing any academic deficiencies they may have upon admission.
2. Enable access to higher education by providing nutritious and quality food, contributing to the well-being and optimal performance of both residence students and vulnerable students in the city of Yurimaguas during the academic year 2024.
3. Facilitate intercultural integration and strengthen the indigenous culture of residence students, ensuring the fulfillment of their assigned responsibilities during the academic year 2024.
4. Enhance the comprehensive human education of residence students, aiming to promote the dissemination of Christian values and principles in their communities in the future.
5. Ensure the availability of trained personnel to provide support and guidance to students living in or benefiting from the Hermano Policarpo Residence during the academic year 2024.

Number of project beneficiaries in 2024:

The current project is aimed at 30 students who will reside in the Brother Policarpo Residence in Yurimaguas during the 2024 school year, from March to December. Of these, 14 are men and 4 are women, who are siblings of the residents, and it also includes young students from the Monseñor Elías Olázar Public Pedagogical Higher Education Institute who live in human settlements in the city and face great needs due to family poverty, but cannot access the Residence due to limited availability of spaces.

Most of the residents come from rural and indigenous communities, where agriculture and other activities are fundamental for their livelihoods. However, economic limitations, aggravated by the current crisis, hinder access to higher education. The Brother Policarpo Residence provides an opportunity to overcome these difficulties, offering accommodation, academic, medical, and emotional support, as well as daily and adequate food.

These students have no home or relatives in Yurimaguas, so the Residence provides them with a dignified space to live and learn, which also contributes to improving living conditions in their communities of origin.

During the year 2023, 25 students benefited from the Brother Policarpo Residence, as well as young students from the Pedagogical Institute who live in human settlements in the city.

Beneficiaries:

Direct: 35 in total, mainly young people from rural areas of the Cachiyacu and Paranapura rivers, as well as from the town of Lagunas.

Global: 80 in total, including the families of the residents, and the indigenous population and Yurimaguas population in general, as these students can return as teachers to their communities, improving education and contributing to the development of their towns.

Quantifiable Indicators:

1. Monitoring of the process and academic performance of students residing in the Residence, with at least 95% of students achieving an average grade equal to or greater than 70% in all assessments during the school year 2024.
2. Ensuring that 100% of the food served to students in the Residence meets quality standards, verified through student satisfaction surveys.
3. Achieving active participation of at least 90% of resident students in scheduled intercultural activities, demonstrating respect for the different cultures represented in the Residence and fulfilling their assigned responsibilities in intercultural events and projects.
4. Providing Christian education to all resident students, with at least 80% of students regularly participating in religious formation sessions and demonstrating understanding and application of Christian values in their daily lives.
5. Promoting productive use of leisure time among resident students, with at least 70% of students participating in activities such as regular reading of books, development of musical, culinary, and leadership skills, as evidenced by participation records and projects developed during the school year 2024.
6. Completion of the replacement of the precarious roof of the Residence during the school year 2024, from March to December.

Schedule of activities for preparation for the current 2024 academic year:

Annual presentation of the Project to the Delegation and Corazonista Foundation-Madrid for review, evaluation, and approval. January - February

Personal and psychological interviews with young people who want to live in the Residence during the course. March

Infrastructure adaptation: March and August

Opening of the school year and operation of the Residence. From March to December

Welcoming young people living in the Residence during the 2024 academic year March and August

Development of workshops on study habits, proper use of leisure time. Regular reading, learning to play musical instruments, and local dances or dances. July, and August

Presentation in public spaces of what they learned during leisure time, at events and workshops. July, September, and November

Workshops on lifestyle formation for Residence youth. March and August

Workshops on good coexistence and commitment to the Internal Regulation of operation. March and August

Nutrition workshop for healthy eating. April and August

Weekly evaluation, change of roles, and responsibilities. From March to December

Support in the feeding of Residence youth. From March to December

Care and maintenance of the house, farm, and spaces that the Residence has. From March to December

Review of students housed at the Health Center (anemia, underweight, deworming, malaria prevention, COVID-19 prevention, HIV prevention...). July, September, and November

Participation in catechesis, and Christian celebrations held at the Residence. From March to December

Volunteering service to the Pedagogical Institute, the Local Church, rural and urban communities in times of need. From March to November

Christmas dinner. December

Evaluation, accountability to the Delegation, Province, and Foundation of the developed Project. December.

Budget to be executed during the year 2024:

Inserted as a PDF document in the section of documents. 

Collaborations with official, local, and regional institutions:

The project benefits from the financial collaboration of the Corazonistas Foundation Madrid and the support of donors from the GlobalGiving organization. Institutional support is provided by the Mons. Elías Public Pedagogical Education Institute and the Apostolic Vicariate of Yurimaguas. Additionally, support comes from local, regional, and national institutions such as the UGELAA (Local Education Management Unit of Alto Amazonas), the regional management body of the Ministry of Education, the Vicariate of Yurimaguas, the Regional Government of Loreto, and the Provincial Municipality of Yurimaguas. This backing demonstrates the continued commitment of various entities to educational and developmental efforts in favor of the youth of Amazonian communities.

Project Monitoring:

The project will undergo continuous monitoring and evaluation using systems to ensure efficiency in management and transparency. Quarterly progress reports and team meetings will be conducted for analysis and deviation correction. A local coordinator will be appointed to oversee the home daily. Funds will be disbursed in two installments, contingent upon goal attainment and deviation correction. Likewise, it is the policy of the Corazonistas Foundation to create spaces for reflection during project development to identify relevant strategies and methodologies, reinforce commitments, and adjust time, actions, and resources. In this perspective, internal evaluation meetings will be held semiannually, leading to the presentation of technical and financial reports.

Acknowledgments:

We appreciate your generous support for this humanitarian project. Given the circumstances, your assistance is crucial to properly attend to these students from indigenous, rural, and riverside areas, as well as those from the outskirts of the city of Yurimaguas.

The project is managed by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart of Yurimaguas community, and we commit to providing an account of the expenses incurred, delivering documentary evidence and photographs that substantiate the development, process, and completion of the project at the end of the year.

Links and photographs

References to learn more about the Brother Policarpo Student Residence:

To learn about the Missionary Service of the Heartist Brothers in the City of Yurimaguas-Peru: https://fundacioncorazonistas.org/servicio-misionero-de-los-hermanos-corazonistas-en-la-ciudad-de-yurimaguas-peru/

Project to sustain the Policarpo Higher Education Home: https://fundacioncorazonistas.org/proyecto/sostenimiento-hogar-policarpo-de-educacion-superior/

Links:

• Missionary Service of the Heartist Brothers in the City of Yurim
• Project to sustain the Policarpo Higher Education Home
• Additional photographs:

• Total Budget 2024 (PDF)
  
• Report 7 Globalgiving. Hogar Policarpo April 2024 (PDF)