The Project / The Placement / The Location / Pricing and Application
Schools & Surrounding Area
Set amongst stunning scenery the Arajuno road weaves its way through the outer Amazon, frequently offering clifftop views over the miles and miles of virtually untouched rainforest. In between the towns of Arajuno and Puyo are scattered communities of farmers and lumberjacks, the small hamlet of 10 de Agosto and the halfway town of El Triunfo. Aside from the games of volleyball and the frequent fiestas, the towns and communities are yet to yield to the commodification of modern Ecuador.
For essentials and internet, the provincial town of Puyo (pop. 20,000) is the destination for locals and volunteers alike. Puyo is a large town with a small town feel. Nestled amongst tree filled hills, with active volcanoes as a back drop, Puyo is the last real bit of civilisation before the Amazon jungle takes hold. It is the transport hub for the region of Pastaza and most destinations are accessible from Puyo.
Km 35 School
Situated (as it's name suggests) 35 kilometers from the beginning of the road from Puyo, Km is a small community of families based along the side of the road. The school perches on the edge of a steep slope overlooking the small cluster of houses which make up the community. The school comprises of two classrooms, a nursery, and a store room. Above the school lies two disused classrooms and a football pitch. One teacher cares for all six grades in one of the two used classrooms, with the school averaging 30 students per year. Although equipped with modern toilets they are current out of use, and the electricity has been cut off.
Lower El Triunfo School
On the far side of the midway town from the approach from Puyo, sits the small school of Lower El Triunfo. An average of 60 children attend this school each year, from Nursery through to 6th grade students preparing for one of the high schools in Puyo. The school has two classrooms for the students and a working toilet block away from the main building. No sports provisions exist here although the larger Upper El Triunfo school is nearby and accessible for students from both schools. The town also has an indoor sports arena which has free access for the community. Two teachers currently teach the children.
Arajuno Road Project & the Schools
The Arajuno Road Project is initially placing volunteers with two schools in the area and will expand to other schools once proper sustainable relationships are established between the children, teachers and volunteers. Outside of our volunteer placements, the Arajuno Road Project runs campaigns to supply additional equipment to the schools. The Arajuno Road Project is currently running the Buy a Book campaign, to create a mobile library which will service all the schools in the local area.
The only funding each of the schools receive is for utilities and the teachers wage. No provisions are made for equipment or uniforms. Teachers often have to work with children from as many as six grades at once, making structured and progressive education difficult.
