Resilience education in rural communities

The resilience education program aims to keep students connected to their schools and provide a solution to the learning limitations of children from rural communities in Ecuador during the pandemic.

Due to Covid19, in March 2020 the national government ordered all schools to change their classes to a virtual format. For many families, and especially in rural areas, this implied great difficulties: limited access to electronic devices, low coverage of internet service, among others.
Aware of this reality, the Wong Foundation, with the valuable support of the Albert Heijn Foundation, launched the "Resilience Education" program in September. Through this program, a group of dedicated teachers visit 15 communes to give face-to-face educational support to students identified as being at higher risk of dropping out due to their limited resources or learning difficulties. In total, the program support 100 boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 14.

This objective is also achieved thanks to the co-responsibility of the parents, since they are committed to the regular attendance of the children and they are the ones who facilitate the location where small groups of students welcome the teachers.

“I bring my son Johan, 7 years old. He has been in classes on WhatsApp, video calls with the teacher, but sometimes the internet is slow and there are complications, it is a bit difficult for him and I have to help him. The visits of the teachers are good because that way they learn more and the day he has to return to school he will have a little more knowledge.” Luis Romero, parent.

This program also gives the opportunity to sensitize families and the community about social risks, as well as to promote healthy living practices and sanitary safety.

Jessica Cañizares, one of the teachers shares with us that “this project is very important. Many of the kids you see here appreciate every time we come because they are encouraged to study. In addition to motivating them, we instill in them values: responsibility and respect for themselves. "