Community Profile: El Chile, Nicaragua
It was quite a beautiful spot to see now. These five classrooms (“aulas”) all perched atop this highland cliff, overlooking a stunning view of the countryside. Sujey and Blanca were the two teachers who had taken their day off to come meet us. However, it was explained by them that things had not always looked this way.
Previously, the schools were overcrowded with students from grades 1–6 all packed into just a couple tiny classrooms, built in the 1950s. They had been blisteringly hot due to a lack of windows, and ventilation around the roof. Next door, the preschool students had been packed into what had since become a closet. Not surprisingly, attendance had been sporadic. I tried to imagine my Mom, a pre-school teacher back in Canada, trying to exercise her passion amidst those conditions; trying to simultaneously teach 6 years through 12 year olds, in an environment that was sure to make it difficult to keep even dedicated students’ attention.
Since 2015, with renovations to the three old classrooms and the construction of two new ones, each grade’s class now had its own space — comfortable albeit basic — including a standalone room for the preschoolers. With each student now having more dedicated time it meant class could end slightly earlier so students could finish the long walk home in time for helping their parents with the many chores involved in rural living, and to make it home before the heavy rains of the wet season.
With the proper infrastructure in place, education had become a priority for the whole community. The parents took turns volunteering each day to help implement the government-sponsored nutritional program of daily snacks for the kids. And, together the families pooled resources to throw a fiesta each year to celebrate the work of the kids.
However, Sujey and Blanca humbly explained there was still much to be done. My joy at seeing the beautiful works of art from the students was diminished as I learned that such projects were a rarity due to a lack of paper, markers, and rulers, as well as basic materials like maps. Though the government provides ongoing support for books, these types of supplies don’t get the same consistency of support.
And still 20–30% of the local school age kids[1] were not attending, according to the teachers’ estimates. Furthermore, one of the members of our caravan explained how the teachers who had made the long trek to meet us on their off-day to speak so genuinely about their love for the school, earned a salary of just $2–5 USD per day[2], which was also meant to cover the expenses required to cover their commute and basic school supplies for the kids.
I once again tried to envision my mother in this situation. Though she was the most dedicated teacher I’d ever met in Canada, I had trouble seeing how even she would make this work. Yet, there was Blanca and Sujey, finding a way, simply asking if there was anything we could do to arrange a new atlas for the kids.
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[1] In Nicaragua education is officially considered compulsory until grade 6, however due to many factors such as school infrastructure, transportation, and the immediate needs of families many children still do not attend.
[2] The teachers reported starting salaries of $50/month for pre-school teachers and $150/month for primary teachers.
