Pedregal, Peru
In the remote community of Pedregal, Peru (located high in the Andes at 4,150 meters) education requires incredible sacrifice. The elementary and high schools here operate on a unique 15-day rotation. For two weeks straight, 78 students live full-time on campus, attending intensive classes every single day from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM. For these 15 days, they completely rely on the school’s infrastructure to live and learn.
Before Light Up The World (LUTW) arrived, the school’s solar systems were broken and severely undersized. Teachers were forced to ration electricity, making basic tasks like charging a laptop or keeping the lights on an uphill battle.
An Unmatched Commitment
What makes Pedregal so special is its people. The dedication of the 20 teachers is astounding. During the 15 days when students are back home, a few teachers travel for hours on motorbikes across rugged mountain terrain just to check on the kids and help with homework. During our installation project, the staff even hosted a pollada (chicken cook-off fundraiser) to raise money so the kids can travel to the city for a school sports competition. Seeing this level of selflessness firsthand proved that this community truly deserves our support.
How You Can Help: Building a Digital Future
During our time in the community, the teachers shared a vital dream: they want to implement a dedicated computer lab. Because these high school students don’t have access to computers at home, learning digital skills is a luxury they’ve never had yet it is absolutely crucial for their futures. We have an incredible head start: an Edmonton based Canadian company – Sirkit – has already generously donated 15 laptops. Now, we need your help to bring this computer lab to life. Your donation will fund the remaining logistics, secure setup, and software deployment needed to get these laptops into the hands of the students.
Jaafar (A former NAIT student) has prepared the laptops for shipment already and is working on configuring the OS for deployment in Peru.
Why This Matters
For the youth of Pedregal, this lab isn’t just about learning how to type; it is their bridge to higher education and breaking the cycle of poverty.
- Post-Secondary Preparation: Access to these laptops will give students the foundational digital literacy required to pursue post-secondary education.
- Career Opportunities: Basic digital literacy will completely transform their career trajectories, empowering them with the modern skills needed to secure better, higher-paying jobs.
The solar power is running, the internet is connected, and the laptops are ready. We just need the final piece of the puzzle to unlock this future for Pedregal’s students.
Please consider making a donation today to fund this computer lab and give these students the future they deserve.
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