Empowering Indigenous Girls in the Peruvian Amazon

Learning doesn't stop! In these first months of the year, we witnessed that many students around the country continued to join their schools, with big expectations and great enthusiasm. Teachers, in all corners and with the challenges they face daily, continued to work hard to reach all their students. Parents became even more committed to their children's education, supporting them and being allies in their learning process.

As part of this great network of allies joining forces in favor of quality education, Enseña Perú Professionals (PEP), are agents of change that join as teachers in those schools where they are needed the most. Our PEPs provide schools and communities with innovation and new ways of approaching education, while promoting academic learnings and soft skills in thousands of students throughout Peru. From the field, Kristtel Masgo tells us what the return to schools is like after two years of virtual education:

• "Hello! My name is Kristtel and I am currently working at the Virgen Asunta school, in Chachapoyas - Amazonas. I am an English teacher for 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade of primary school. This return to school is very exciting for me, face-to-face classes allow me to connect with my students, get to know them, fully understand their concerns and work together to meet the needs of each one. Seeing each other face to face, listening to their doubts, awakening their curiosity to learn and continuing to motivate us along the way is something that we greatly value in this return to school. Seeing each other in person and been able to share a classroom is something very valuable not only to consolidate academic results but also to promote the well-being of students."

Just like Kristtel, hundreds of PEPs and their students are living the experience of meeting again in the classrooms. Thank you for making it possible, by supporting our project we can continue to provide the education that Amazonas students deserve. An education that puts the student at the center and encourages them to develop their full potential.

Renata - one of our fellows - is a 4th grade elementary school teacher in Chachapoyas, Amazonas. As part of the planning of her classes and expected outcomes, Renata aimed to develop environmental awareness in her students.

One day a student proposed a great idea: to make posters telling people why they should not pollute. Another student added "what if we also clean the river?", and then another said, "what if we do a talk to raise awareness about pollution?". The students began to share various ideas in class and their teacher noticed the great interest in the topic.

It is from that moment that "Heroines of the planet" was born, a group created by the students to spread environmental awareness in their community. They have created their own logo, posters with recycled materials, videos to raise awareness and are planning different actions to spread the message of environmental care during this year.

 This is the kind of education that students in Amazonas deserve, an education that allows them to develop their agency and critical thinking to take initiative with creative solutions such as those proposed by "Heroines of the planet". On International Day of Education, we want to say thank you for being part of this movement for education and making possible more stories like this!