Children at the Amún Shéa Center in Perquín, El Salvador

The Amún Shéa Center was established by the Perkin Educational Opportunities Foundation (PEOF) to provide an alternative school for children based on myriad teaching models, focusing particularly on self-responsibility and individual achievement. With the sub par academic level in the Northeast part of El Salvador, combined with a war ravaged area and the exodus of many of its young people looking for opportunities elsewhere, this region is in dire need of new, innovative educational programs. The school has been widely praised by the local government and supported by the community.

Although the people started to return to their homes after the signing of the Peace Accords in 1992, no person or family was left unaffected. As hostilities rage between warring factions, the people of the country lose. They lose time, educational opportunities, money, family members, and hope. People do not concentrate on preserving the past and the often do not look to the future, but are forced to live day to day for survival. After the war, much of El Salvador’s infrastructure was destroyed, including almost all of the educational institutions in Perquín.

This school, which will eventually not only provide grades Pre-kinder through 12, but will also include a nutrition center, a center for young mothers, a center for adult technical training, and a technical laboratory, will help educate and train people throughout the municipality, providing better opportunities and a brighter future.

 

How We Can Help

We are currently applying for a project to design and construct a Waste Water Management system within Amún Shéa Center, to be compatible with growth of the school and its growing infrastructure.

In an area with no municipal oversight or management of wastewater, it is vital that this system be put into place to highlight the importance of wastewater management and the consequences of the contamination of groundwater. Latrines and seepage pits are 2-3 meters deep and wells are only 20-22 meters deep, therefore leading to heavy contamination of drinking water.

The community would benefit from the cleaner water, leading to fewer diseases and parasites. As well, the community would benefit economically from a self-sustaining system that would not require heavy maintenance after the initial investment.

The social and cultural impacts are multitudinous. The project would raise the awareness of the importance of the management of wastewater, and this would also create a science laboratory for the children currently at the school. El Salvador’s population is growing, the need to address these concerns in an environmentally friendly, easily replicable manner is important for the country.