Higher education for Amazonian youth in Peru

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)