Thanks to our program “Weekly Boarding in Indigenous Families”, children living in remote rural communities can continue schooling at the nearest secondary school once they have finished their local elementary school. However, when finishing elementary school, they tend to shown a considerable lack of skills and knowledge for their age, due to inadequate conditions at these tiny schools –deficits hard to compensate later on. This is why we have dedicated a new project to improving living and learning conditions in the communities that send children to the “Indigenous Boarding” in Tentaguazu. Until now, project activities have included improving school infrastructure and equipment, incentives to start additional teaching in the afternoons, and the establishment of school gardens.

This month, we have been able to strengthen our Project Team in the Chaco Region with a highly qualified and motivated specialist in primary education. His work points at improving teaching techniques in order to improve pupils’ skills and knowledge. Currently, he is visiting all elementary schools concerned, meeting teachers, parents and pupils, in order to build trust and have a first glance at the educational challenges ahead. From there, we shall develop a full-fledged training program for teachers and parents during the coming months.