Current public education for the most part is not relevant to the rural population in El Salvador and only 20% of young people in the countryside finish high school. Amun Shea provides Relevant Formal Education, one of PEOF’s strategic intervention programs. The curriculum focuses on developing at an early age the human talent needed for sustainable rural development and contributing to shaping the future of El Salvador. At its core is Problem Based Learning (PBL) methodology.
This method is best explained by sharing examples of recent real-world activities:
- Students celebrated Earth Day by showcasing ecological practices they have implemented
- Students participated in a Virtual Chess Tournament at the departmental festival
- Students enjoyed a Literary Sleepover: an afternoon of stories and adventures provided in a welcoming and fun environment, strengthening the love of books and the joy of reading.
- Entrepreneurship fairs provide opportunity for students, with the support of their teachers, to demonstrate their hard work and present their achievements to an audience of parents, family, and teachers. Students grow in confidence to speak, analyze, and defend their ideas in front of others. Topics included “The Five Senses” in English, emotions using the film “Inside Out,” societal issues with Heroes at Work, Math, science, and technology projects, Pascal’s principle, thermodynamics, topography, wind energy, the volcanic mountain range in our country, and on and on. Parental pride was evident.
- Students from the Seed Community (early primary age learners) as true authors of their own learning, crafted a 100% organic fertilizer that nourishes and regenerates the soil and creates healthier plants and a more productive harvest. Every student explained his/her creation, teaching the audience how to sow radishes, how to identify insects that can help or harm our plants, and how to prepare seedling bags for a nursery.
- Another group of students asked, “How can we reduce the use of chemicals in our food? What can we do that is sustainable? What can we use?” The answer was simple: Chickens, commonly found in their communities. With the guidance of their teachers and after many months of trial and error, they created five economical, chemical-free/natural, and accessible products: Expectorant syrup, Guava infusion for diarrhea, Vaccine with curarina, Natural antibiotic made from garlic and onion, Tincture for coryza made from chichipince, aloe vera, and ginger.
At Amún Shéa, the program has never been traditional, The heart of education is not found in the textbooks or classrooms; it is in the teachers who show up every day with dedication, passion and purpose. Teachers keep classrooms open, dreams alive, and knowledge flowing.
PEOF aims to enhance the quality of education for the students, foster partnerships with institutions in and out of El Salvador, and ensure that the teachers fully embrace Amún Shéa’s methodology. Reaching these goals will allow both students and teachers to become agents of change who make an impact in their communities.
PEOF provides a safe and inspiring space where students can explore their interests and build the skills they need for a successful future!
A successful school has determined students and dedicated teachers. Successful Amún Shéa students need tuition help, scholarship opportunities, healthy meals and parental support. Successful Amún Shéa teachers need special skills, program training and competitive salaries and benefits.