Rio Muchacho Environmental School, Ecuador
The creation of Rio Muchacho Community Environmental School was in response to the lack of an educational institution and the urgent need for environmental education. Work to create the School began in 1992 and 1993 was the first school year. The School is constructed on land donated by one of the parents and the construction was a community effort, each family donated materials from their farms such as bamboo, thatch, wood and stone
etc. There are 2 open classrooms, a composting toilet, and a house for the teachers.Each year there is between 45-55 students, pre-school to 6th grade. There are 3 teachers who teach several grades each. The curriculum is based on the national curriculum but incorporates environmental education. Theoretical classes are given with the use of an audio program. These are complemented with practical work. The children learn about issues affecting their environment e.g. water pollution, deforestation, erosion and harmful agricultural practices. Within the School grounds the children have a tree nursery, and each year they produce fruit and forest trees.
The students learn about growing vegetables and practice growing them in the school gardens. Composts are made for use in the vegetable garden and nursery. A lot of emphasis is put on waste management and separation.
While the School has been very successful, funding is always a problem. Even though the school is registered, it receives no funding from the government. Planeterra strives to support Rio Muchacho through donations from travellers who visit the area.
