PATRIZIA School Alto Sondoveni
In 2014, the PATRIZIA Foundation set a pioneering example in the heart of the Peruvian rainforest. The PATRIZIA Foundation financed the first buildings, which were constructed by students from the universities of Stuttgart and Lima. This was a significant step towards improving educational opportunities in a remote region that is more than 10 hours drive from the capital Lima. The last hour of this journey is on unpaved roads.
Alto Sondoveni, a small village in the heart of the Peruvian rainforest, is home to the Asháninka, an indigenous group of the eastern Amazon basin.
The living conditions for the inhabitants, who mainly live from agriculture, are very challenging due to the lack of infrastructure in the region, which is far away from the peruvian economic centre. In addition, the indigenous population is still subject to systematic discrimination. The children in the village often have to help with household chores or work in the fields from a young age. The lack of schools in Sondoveni and the surrounding areas is an obstacle to the development of children and young people and, subsequently, the entire region.
“The world of education is open to children, even in the middle of the Peruvian rainforest”
Nikolaus Moser
steward of the PATRIZIA School Sondoveni
The key to a better future
By building a small school with three classrooms, the PATRIZIA Foundation addressed the lack of educational facilities and offers the more than 60 families of Sondoveni and the surrounding villages and small settlements the opportunity to continue their education after primary school.
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Expansion and sustainable development
The extensive expansion of the school was completed in 2023. All grades from 5 to 10 can now be taught in their own classroom. In addition, a workroom is now available for practical training. The school now also benefits from new toilets, a new kitchen and an installed water supply system with a filter for clean drinking water. Attractive accommodation for the teaching staff has been added. These should lead to a reduction in teacher turnover and thus also enable uplifting and quality teaching by motivated teachers with respect for the indigenous culture. This expansion will make it possible to admit more pupils from Sondoveni and the neighbouring villages in future, thereby increasing educational opportunities in the region.A special highlight was created by the special talent of Peruvian artist Jade Rivera at the opening of the extended school.
The classroom buildings are sustainably designed with certified wood. By building a staircase from the village to the school on the slope, the school can now be reached safely and dry-footed even in the rainy season. The volleyball court behind the school is used by the pupils, teachers and residents of the village. The realisation of this project was made possible thanks to the cooperation with apoprojek. On behalf of the children, parents and teachers, we would like to thank apoprojekt and its partners for their generous support in realising this project. The school lays the foundation for children to find a way out of poverty, discrimination and a lack of prospects. Because education is the path to a self-determined life, even in the most remote regions of the world.
Our project partners:
PATRIZIA SE also made a major contribution to the financing of this project with the Hiking Challenge 2022, which raised funds for the educational project. We would also like to thank our local project partners IntuyLab for their support in planning and project coordination, as well as the Semillas organisation, whose expertise ensured the professional implementation of the construction project.
Further support is still needed to cover the cost increases due to unexpected challenges during realisation. Only with the help of additional funds can we guarantee the support of the school as part of the long-term partner programme.