Transform Education in El Salvador

In the village of El Tablón, San Fernando, education has transcended the classroom walls. Through the technical support provided by the “Transforming Education” project, the school community has turned a vacant lot into a vibrant school garden that today proudly celebrates its first harvest.

More than just a food production center, this space has become an epicenter for hands-on learning. Our educational vision breaks the traditional mold, extending from the Amún Shéa School to communities like El Tablón, driven by the conviction that true education is lived within the territory.

The school garden serves as a living laboratory where students develop fundamental competencies:

• Responsible Agriculture: Strategic selection of vegetables adapted to the local microclimate to ensure sustainable production.
• Resource Conservation: Implementation of efficient water management techniques and protection of the soil's organic layer.
• Healthy Habits: Promoting the consumption of fresh, organic produce to transform the school diet from the roots up.

Seeing students harvest the fruit of their own effort is our greatest indicator of success. We are convinced that education must transform realities; therefore, in El Tablón, we are sowing the seeds of a more resilient community.

Thanks to your support, we will continue expanding Amún Shéa’s best practices into public schools, creating a positive impact throughout the entire department of Morazán. By empowering rural schools with sustainable production tools, we are not only growing food, we are laying the foundation for lasting social transformation.

Links:

• PEOF website
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For a great idea to become a reality and endure over time, it requires motivated, capable, and hardworking individuals. At Amún Shéa, we are surrounded by people like this: individuals committed to giving their time and effort to move the project forward and create a positive impact on the students. That is why, on this occasion, we want to highlight Ana Cecilia, who goes by Ceci for short. She has been a vital part of Amún Shéa for four years, contributing not only as a teacher but also by providing essential psychological support to the entire student community. 

Hello, my name is Ana Cecilia. I have been a psychologist since 2010 and a teacher since 2011. I enjoy reading, staying up to date with information, listening to music, and taking a few minutes each day to reflect and unwind from the daily hustle. I love listening to others, and as a teacher, I am most passionate about getting to know children’s daily lives and their environments. What satisfies me most is hearing a student say, "I did it!" or "I'm doing better now.” These are all comforting words to hear when you're trying to teach and guide a child. This is my daily reward.

How does your day begin? My day starts by greeting the children on the bus. When we arrive at school, I help them off the bus and guide them to their classrooms. Once classes begin, we say a prayer and repeat positive affirmations such as “We are intelligent, we are brave.” to strengthen their self-esteem and help them believe in themselves. Then, we do a physical activation where we dance and move; the challenge is to get everyone to participate! Afterward, we discuss a general topic or a value to learn how to care for and respect one another. I always look for different ways to teach and stay creative.

What do you like most about Amún Shéa? Amún Shéa is a place where I can be myself. I feel free to find the best way to guide these new generations. It is also a constant challenge to stay up to date; children today are not the same as they were ten years ago. They are different, and they learn differently. Here, I am trusted to use a tailored strategy for each child, as everyone learns differently. Amún Shéa is that safe space where I can teach differently.

“Profe Ceci,” as many of us call her here in Perquin, shows us through her love and affection just how she cares for her students. She truly wants the best for them, providing the internal tools these “little seeds” need to grow and create a better future. It is because of you, and your unwavering support that we continue maintaining the Amún Shéa project thriving and transforming education from the inside out. Thank you!!!

P.S.: The Little by Little Matching Campaign with GlobalGiving starts on March 17th, and we would love to count on you! All donations up to $50 will be matched, and your impact will be doubled! Please subscribe to our newsletter for more updates.

Links:

• PEOF website
• Subscribe to our newsletter