Updated: September 30, 2002

Scholarship Fund for Popular Education in Santa Marta

Santa Marta, Cabañas

El Salvador

CoCoDA's cooperation: $5,000 Grant (3^rd quarter 2002)

Project calendar: January - December, 2002

Project partner(s): Dumbarton United Methodist Church Inter-America Committee (Washington, DC); River Road Unitarian Church Latin America Task Force Network (Bethesda, MD); Mark & Louise Stahnke / Plow Creek Fellowship (Tiskilwa, IL)

Associate organization managing the project: Association for Economic and Social Development, Santa Marta (ADES)

This grant is helping to pay tuition for 17 popular teachers in Cantón Santa Marta in their final year (2002) at the university for degrees in early education and their enrollment costs for the second semester; lodging while in the city to study on weekends; and transportation and food in the final month (December).  The grant also includes support for technical assistance for all the teachers in ADES' education program during the final seven months of the year, which includes pedagogical assistance, preparations for taking the ECAP competency exam (17 will take it in December), and general support.

We anticipate that by 2004, if not earlier, all popular teachers in the Santa Marta schools will have secured government-funded positions through a program called EDUCO, which would be the culmination of over a decade of cooperation with ADES in scholarships for popular teachers.  Through the Scholarship Fund, CoCoDA has supported ADES work with from 37 to 42 popular teachers in 6 schools in the area of Santa Marta in Northern Cabañas, attending to approximately 1,300 students, since 1993.

Background

Since the repatriation of communities to Cantón Santa Marta from refugee camps in Hondura in 1987, popular teachers have built the education program in the region with their own resources and support from groups such as CoCoDA.  CoCoDA and ADES have prioritized the education program in our cooperation, as central to long-term strategies for local social and economic development.  CoCoDA's support has included financial support for scholarships and stipends for popular teachers, advocacy support in negotiations for academic advancement and certification of the teachers, and projects related to education programs and facilities in the communities.

The long-term goal of the Scholarship Fund has been to get the popular teachers to the point of being certified, salaried teachers by the government.  In 2001 and 2002, ADES and the Concertación Educativa de El Salvador (CEES) have negotiated 23 salaried positions in the schools of Santa Marta.  The first 18 popular teachers to graduate from the university have just all passed the new competency exam (ECAP) required to become certified and employed by the Ministry of Education (through a program called EDUCO).  Another 17 popular teachers are in their final year of studies (for university degrees in early education) and will take the ECAP exam in December, 2002.  ADES and CEES are negotiating for an additional 17 EDUCO salaried positions for the 2003 school year.

Scholarship Fund for Popular Education in Suchitoto

Suchitoto, Cuscatlán

El Salvador

CoCoDA's cooperation: $3,960 Grant (3^rd quarter 2002)

Project calendar: January - December, 2002

Project partner(s): Greencastle/DePauw CoCo (IN); Toledo Area Committee on Central America (TACCA) (OH); St. Mary Catholic Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Associate organization managing the project: Committee for Reconstruction and Economic and Social Development of Communities of Suchitoto, Cuscatlán (CRC)

This grant to the CRC for scholarships for popular teachers in schools of Suchitoto for the 2002 school year is supporting stipends/scholarships for 5 popular teachers in community schools of Suchitoto, Cuscatlán in the 2002 school year.  Three of these teachers are already out of the university but not yet certified and contracted by the government through the EDUCO program; and 2 teachers are studying for high school diplomas on weekends.  The CRC's education program benefits 300+ students in 11 rural communities. 

Since 1992, CoCoDA has cooperated with the CRC in support of community-based, popular education programs in rural communities of Suchitoto, Cuscatlán.  In particular, we have contributed to stipends and scholarships for popular teachers, who teach during the week and study on the weekends. 

In 2001, CoCoDA provided $5,500 to support 5 popular teachers in the schools of Las Delicias (2), La Mora (2), and San Antonio (1) at $100/month for 11 months.  Nine other popular teachers were funded by the Concertación Educativa de El Salvador (CEES) and the Foundation for Popular Education (CIAZO).  As a result, 14 popular teachers taught in the Suchitoto school last year, attending to 347 students.

Other achievements of note in the CRC-backed schools in 2001 were:

• accrediting two schools with the Ministry of Education (La Mora and Mazatepeque);

• certifying and contracting 3 popular teachers with government funding through the EDUCO program (La Mora, Aguacayo, Mazatepeque)

• attending to 50 children with learning difficulties (La Mora and Las Delicias) - 4 popular teachers received training for this

• workshops with parents of students (total of 70 during the school year)

For the 2002 school year, in addition to CoCoDA support, the CRC received contributions from an Atlanta Friends Meeting and $1,029 from CEES. 

Education for Community Development

Suchitoto, Cuscatlán

El Salvador

CoCoDA's cooperation: $1,500 Grant (3^rd quarter 2002)

Project calendar: January - December, 2002

Project partner(s): Greencastle/DePauw CoCo (IN); Toledo Area Committee on Central America (TACCA) (OH); St. Mary Catholic Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Associate organization managing the project: Committee for Reconstruction and Economic and Social Development of Communities of Suchitoto, Cuscatlán (CRC)

This grant is helping to fund the stipend of a CRC promoter in the Education for Community Development program in 2002.  In 2001, CoCoDA provided a grant in the amount of $1,330 for 1/2 time stipend for CRC promoter Otilia Gonzalez in this program.  Otilia came to the States on a U.S. tour with CoCoDA in May/2002 and informed in very tangible ways about the many positive consequences of her work with two other CRC promoters, and demonstrated how their accompaniment in participatory reflection, planning and action with communities could be very useful for community-based education and action in the States, too. 

The CRC with the Foundation for Popular Education (CIAZO) has encouraged, accompanied and promoted community organizing, planning and action for development over the past several years, utilizing a participatory methodology know as REFLECT-ACTION. 

After the repopulation of rural communities in Suchitoto and years of reconstruction and emergency assistance projects, one of the challenges faced by organizations such as the CRC is how counter attitudes of assistance-dependency in communities, and how to promote leadership, vision and initiative for self-development.

In 2000, the CRC engaged in this process with 7 communities, forming 32 community development groups (GDC's), strengthening 7 community councils, and accompanying the GDC's and community councils in the preparation of participatory rural diagnostics of their respective community, which then serve as the basis for community development plans.  Numerous projects have already resulted from this process, ranging from children's playgrounds to latrines to school and clinic projects.

In 2001, CoCoDA granted $1,330 for a part-time stipend for a CRC promoter, Otilia Gonzalez, in this program (¢1,100 - $126 per month for 10 months).  Results of this project in 2001 were:

• Restructuring of 8 community councils (directivas)

• Formation of youth committees in 6 communities

• Formation of 2 school boards (ACES) for accrediting of schools with the government

• Follow-through on community development plans in 4 communities

• Accompaniment in social projects (eg cleaning streets, etc.) and project grant writing and fund raising outreach

Difficulties encountered in 2001 were:

• Insufficient didactic material that would have helped in the workshops and activities in communities.

• Limited technical assistance in the educational aspect of the program, which could have enhanced the educational impact of the experience with the participants.

• Instability of school programs and psychological effects of the earthquakes limited the extent of the assimilation and implementation of the program.

Approximately $31 that were left over from CoCoDA's 2001 grant for scholarships for popular teachers in 2001 were allocated for didactic materials for the Education for Community Development program.

In 2002, Otilia Gonzalez was a featured speaker and workshop leader at the CoCo Encuentro in Berea, Kentucky, and participated in a 2-week speaking tour to groups supporting the CRC's work in the area of Popular Education and Education for Community Development.

Santa Marta Computer Center

10 de Octubre School - Operations

Santa Marta, Cabañas

El Salvador

CoCoDA's cooperation: $6,070 Grant (1st quarter 2002)

Project calendar: July, 2001 - June, 2002

Project partner(s): River Road Unitarian Church Latin America Task Force Network (Bethesda, MD)

Associate organization managing the project: Association for Economic and Social Development, Santa Marta (ADES)

This cooperation funded the salary of the Santa Marta Computer Center instructor, William Orlando Alejo, from July, 2001 through June, 2002 ($480/month).  Mr. Alejo teaches two sessions (am and pm) Monday through Friday.  The project is a continuation of the Computer Center start-up project supported by CoCoDA in partnership with the River Road Unitarian Church Latin America Task Force Network (Bethesda, MD) (RRUC-LATFN) in 2000, with support from the Portage Area Coalition for Sanctuary (OH) and the United Church of Christ of Kent (OH).   The purpose of the Center is to provide basic computer skills training for students in the rural communities of Canón Santa Marta so they can secure better employment within and outside the community, and thereby improve their living conditions.

In 2002, the Computer Center has 110 students:  60 who are third cycle students, 37 who are high school students, 13 who are popular teachers.  Each semester, a minimum of 6 courses are taught, 6 in basic skills and others oriented to special skills and training.  The teaching methodology is aimed towards 30% theoretical learning and 70% practical learning.  Students are strongly encouraged to do periodic self-evaluation in a group setting, which includes evaluation of the classes, the professor and the operations of the Center.  An average of 87% of the students passed their respective courses averaging a 7 or better (on a grading scale of 1 to 10) in the first semester of 2002.

In 2001, the Center's priority was to provide basic computer skills training to all 37 popular teachers in Santa Marta schools, who did not pay for the computer classes (so there was no income for the Center).  This was successful, in that all 37 teachers passed their computer courses at the university in 2001.  In the first six months of 2002, the priority of the Center was to offer basic computer training for 40 high school students in Santa Marta, who were asked to pay a fee of ¢180 ($20.50) for the 6-month course.

CoCoDA provided $15,709 in grants for the start-up of the Computer Center project, for preparation of the classroom, purchase and installation of a 10-computer network, and funding for 6 months of instruction.  RRUC-LATFN provided 94% of the funding for the project, with the Kent United Church of Christ (Kent, OH) also making a contribution.  RRUC-LATFN also secured licensed software for all the computers. 

Other details from ADES' Project Report (June, 2002)

The requirements to participate as a student in the Center are:

• Know how to read and write

• Have the desire to learn computer skills

• Be responsible with tasks and homework that is assigned

• Have the time to attend class without absences

• Dress respectfully

• By respectful and respect the other compañeros and compañeras in the Center

Students learn the following skills through different courses offered in the Computer Center:

Windows 98 Systems

• Windows 98

• Copy and create files and documents

• Prepare disks

• Configure accessories and screens for Windows 98

• Change colors and sizes of icons on the desktop

• Manage modem and printer settings and connections

Typing

• Basic keyboard skills and key functions

• Ability to type with speed

Word 2000

• Prepare documents with good presentation, no typographical errors, various fonts and styles

• Write letters with better formats

• Create diplomas

• Make cards

Excel 2000

• Prepare spreadsheet with ease

• Do calculations more quickly

• Solve problems using functions

• Design statistical graphs

Powerpoint 2000

• Make formats for overhead presentations

• Make presentations using computer projection

• Develop multi-media presentations with sound and special effects

Publisher 2000

• Create different types of cards

• Make diplomas

• Create newsletters

• Design web pages

Programming

• Basic concepts of programming

• Data structure

• Object oriented programming

• Manipulation of data structures

• Visual Basic

• Visual Fox

• c++

High School in Santa Marta

Santa Marta, Cabañas

El Salvador

CoCoDA's cooperation: $6,000 Grant (3^rd quarter 2002)

Project calendar: January, 2002 - December, 2003

Project partner(s): DePauw University Winter Term in Service (Greencastle, Indiana); Portage Area Coalition for Sanctuary (Kent, OH) and the United Church of Christ of Kent (OH)

Associate organization managing the project: Association for Economic and Social Development, Santa Marta (ADES)

This grant is helping to fund the first-ever high school classes in Santa Marta, Cabañas, for 17 first-year high school students and 19 second-year high school students.  The project objective is to establish a permanent High School in the rural communities of Cantón Santa Marta, in the department of Cabañas, in northern El Salvador.  This cooperation will help cover costs of teaching classes during the week, which will complement weekend classes funded by the Salvadoran government through their "distance learning" program.

Funds for this grant were raised by the DePauw University Winter Term in Service (WTIS) El Salvador Team that visited and worked in Santa Marta in January 2002.  The total first year budget for the high school project presented by ADES was $15,000, which included two professors (@ $500/month) and setting up a science lab.  For lack of adequate funding, the classes have proceeded with only one professor hired by ADES.  As of the end of July, ADES had raised $6,420 from other sources towards meeting their goal budget of $14,805 for the first year of the high school, which has been in operation with one professor since March.

Background

The High School in Santa Marta - DePauw University WTIS '02 campaign was launched by DPU students who participated on the Winter Term in Service (WTIS) El Salvador Team in January, 2002, under the coordination of CoCoDA.  They spent several weeks in the rural communities of Santa Marta, Cabañas and other areas of El Salvador. 

During their stay the DPU Team was asked by young people in Santa Marta, CoCoDA coordinator Brenda Hubbard and ADES personnel if they could help raise funds to help pay two professors to teach high school 5 days per week in the community ($6,000 for a professor's stipend for a year - $500 per month).

The Salvadoran Ministry of Education (MINED) offers a program called "distance high school," in which MINED provides education materials and professorial assistance on weekends to enable students in remote villages to study high school in their local area.  Subjects taught through the MINED distance high school program include:  mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, language and English. 

ADES proposed the project to the DPU Team to make it possible for ADES to hire two professors to teach during the week in the Santa Marta High School, accelerating the students studies, improving the quality of their education, and adding laboratory and computer literacy to the curriculum.  Students would also be involved in community projects such as agriculture, community radio, community health and cultural programs. 

ADES' goal is for 20 Santa Marta students to graduate from high school in 2003 and 20 more to graduate in 2004.  The DPU/WTIS Team set the goal of raising $6,000 to support the project for the 2002 and 2003 school years.  The Portage Area Coalition for Sanctuary and the United Church of Christ of Kent (OH) contributed $600 to help cover administrative costs of the grant.

UPDATE FROM ADES - August, 2002

ADES reported in August that 17 students (6 men, 11 women) are studying in their first year of high school, and 19 (6 men and 13 women) are studying in their second year of high school.  Youth and adults are among these Santa Marta students.  The first year  students are averaging 8.6 (on a grading scale of 1 to 10) in their classes, and the second year students are averaging 8.9.

Two teachers from the Ministry of Education distance high school program come to give classes on weekends. 

The CoCoDA/DPU WTIS support helps make it possible for ADES to pay teachers to offer classes Monday through Thursday, expanding the subject matter and improving the quality of the education.  Mathematics, Social Studies, Natural Sciences and Civics are being taught by Ernesto González ($500/month stipend goes to Mr. Gonzalez), the teacher hired by ADES.  Also, Antonio Hernández is helping the students with English (he lived in Canada for a while), and William Alejo in the Santa Marta Computer Center provides computer classes.

During the week they are holding their classes in a community center room, shared with 5th grade students.  On the weekends they are studying in the 10 de octubre school since other classes are out.  They are asking for either the community of Valle Nuevo or Santa Marta to donate some land to build classrooms specifically for high school.

The high school students are also participating in community activities including community administrative councils, the community water board, environment committee, AIDS prevention, cultural groups, the community radio, sports and the Monseñor Romero Youth Union. They are also planning to do a mural on the school, and to tour other schools in the department of Cabañas to discuss national realities.

Difficulties that ADES mentions in particular for the high school program are problems in attendance due to family obligations that some students contend with, particularly the second year students; lack of didactic materials and items such as scientific calculators; and lack of an adequate classroom for high school classes.

Soccer Field Construction

Valle Nuevo, Cabañas

El Salvador

CoCoDA's cooperation: : $3,500 Grant (3^rd quarter 2002)

Project calendar: June - August, 2002

Project partner(s): River Road Unitarian Church Latin America Task Force Network (Bethesda, MD)

Associate organization managing the project: Association for Economic and Social Development, Santa Marta (ADES)

This grant went to support the construction of a soccer field in Valle Nuevo, Cantón Santa Marta, a priority project of the Unión de Jovenes Salvadoreños Moseñor Romero, a youth organization with 285 members in Santa Marta coordinated with ADES.  The objective of the project is to build a soccer field in cantón Santa Marta as an space to promote sports and organizing among youth in Santa Marta, part of a broader objective to have healthy and recreational areas that strengthen organizing among youth and the community in general in Santa Marta.

The grant was made possible by contributions from a July 2002 CoCoDA delegation to El Salvador from River Road Unitarian Church Latin America Task Network (RRUC-LATN) (MD) with participation of 4 people from Blue Grass CoCo Project (BGCCP) in Central Kentucky.  The delegation participants helped out with some of the physical labor during their visit to Santa Marta.  The Lutheran Federation was a primary contributor to ADES for the project.