A quality education is vital to breaking the cycle of poverty
Through our education programs, we seek to comprehensively improve the conditions that influence the education of children. We have been working for several years to improve school infrastructure, encourage teacher development and support complementary and higher education programs.
PRYME PROGRAM
Since 2008, the School Renovation and Maintenance Program (PRyME) supports education stakeholders and community leaders in efforts to rebuild and maintain school infrastructure, creating an environment conducive to learning. An essential piece of the PRyME methodology is the integration of the education community; its success is evident when community leaders become project managers. The program provides materials, but it’s the community who coordinates the project, recruits volunteers and sets deadlines for completion.
Through this program, which brings together more than 15 educational centers, along with our past teacher training program, has positively impacted the lives of thousands of students and hundreds of teachers.
SCHOLARSHIP & CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Since 2011, Fundación Tropicalia coordinates a scholarship and cultural exchange program with Universidad ISA (Instituto Superior de Agricultura or UISA) to support academic, professional, and personal development of young people throughout the El Seibo province.
The program offers the opportunity to obtain a university degree that will generate job opportunities in the region, in careers such as engineering, agronomy, animal production and food technology; specialized education in natural sciences; business administration; veterinary sciences and environmental management.
The program also provides cultural and professional exchange opportunities for its students where they can engage with UISA alumni, build their network and learn about their career paths and achievements.
As of 2019, we have 13 students enrolled in the program and eight scholarship recipients have already graduated.
IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
In 2014, Fundación Tropicalia launched a supplementary activities program in Miches public schools to support students’ interests in and aptitude for the arts and critical and creative thinking. Through a curriculum that includes courses in crafts, visual and performing arts, the program aims to complement the basic educational requirements of public schools.
In this framework, we also develop the League of Agricultural Entrepreneurs in Training (LEAF) for young students, which seeks to strengthen values, leadership and competencies in responsible agriculture through the creation of school gardens, in collaboration with La Gina School, together with the support of parents and teachers, having more than 40 participants to date.
