Quality Education for Peace-building and Democracy

We take this opportunity to share with you the story of Juan David, an 8-year boy we met in Salento - Quindío during our most recent visit to the schools targeted with this project. Juan David’s childish smile and polite manners with their peers caught our attention since the first day.

It seemed to be a typical day of work in the field when Mariana, the teacher at Escuela San Gabriel, came to us and inquired if we had time to talk to a mother who had come to the school by herself when she heard about our visit. Diana, Juan David’s mother who is studying to be a teacher, impressed us so much because of her determination. Since the beginning, Diana mentioned Juan David’s experience when he got sick, missed school for a few weeks, and did not get the first place in class. It hurt his confidence. In Diana’s words, “Juan David experienced pressure to be N° 1 in class because of the highly competitive environment of the school he attended at that time and the lack of support of his teacher.”. Diana also mentioned a couple of situations in which older students intimidated her son. She remembered the day Juan David stopped sleeping well. This encouraged her to find another school for him.

Juan David has been attending an Escuela Nueva School since January. Diana sees the progress in his level of confidence. He is still shy but opening up gradually! Diana wants to teach with the Escuela Nueva model.  Juan David is really enjoying school more, not necessarily proclaiming "this is better", but Diana can tell.  He is not as concerned about his report card. 

Just a few months with Escuela Nueva has already had a positive influence on him! 

Help us to continue bringing relevant and quality education to Juan David and his peers!

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