Through our Christmas fundraiser we were able to raise sufficient funds to offer 7 scholarships to the children of Estero de Plátano to study in the secondary college in the village of Tonchigwe, about 40 minutes away by bus. The academic year started in April. The funds are used to buy uniforms and educational materials, and to pay the transport to get the children to their college.

Our aim is to expand the program each year to include the most deserving candidates to finish elementary school, as well as to include education about sexual and reproductive health so that these students can make informed decisions about their own futures.

Aside from providing the scholarships, Yanapuma will also be involved with the college that they are attending to ensure that the education they receive is as optimal as it can be. We will also station volunteers in the community to help the chidren with their work and make sure that they are taking full advantage of this opportunity.

If you would like to provide ongoing support for this program please visit our Donations page to find out how you can help. Please see the additional details below this photo.

Average incomes in Estero de Plátano are very low, even for the national average, at around $720 per year. According to a recent survey about 78% of children finish elementary school, but only 11% go on to any form of secondary education. Thus the education level of the community is very low, a fact often cited by local beneficiaries as a major impediment to the economic self-development of the village. Teenage pregnancy rates are also very high, with 80% of girls getting pregnant in their teens, with reported cases of pregnancies from 11 years old. Knowledge about sexual and reproductive health and prevention of pregnancy is very low among both boys and girls. There exists a great need to educate young girls about sex, sexual health, reproductive and personal rights, and to teach boys and young men to respect these rights. Despite legislative advances and campaigns, male violence against women remains high in Ecuador, with up to 60 % of women thought to be victims of physical violence at home.

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