In collaboration with the Regional Government of Cusco and the Regional Education Management, Dispurse Foundation is a key player in the Regional Literacy Program "It is never too late to learn - Atikunmi", which on December 1st had its official launch, presenting the first results of the work carried out in the districts of Saylla and Poroy, with committed teachers and students of the Alternative Basic Education Centers (CEBA) Uriel Garcia and Clorinda Matto de Turner.
According to national data, approximately 5% of the population aged 15 and over in Peru has no education, while in rural areas, the illiteracy rate is critical, especially among indigenous or bilingual women. In Cusco, the illiteracy rate is 17.6% among women and 4.3% among men, according to 2017 Census data.
In response to these educational challenges, the Regional Government of Cusco, the Regional Education Management and the Dispurse Foundation have signed an agreement to implement in the Atikunmi program, the educational proposal of Dispurse using the FOCUS application and its didactic materials, on tablets that do not require internet for its operation. The success of the program lies in its flexibility in terms of time and place, thanks to which students will have easier access to education.
By 2024, Atikunmi will focus on the provinces of Cusco, Quispicanchi, Paruro and Chumbivilcas and will be implemented in close collaboration with the CEBA teams, which guarantees official certification and educational continuity for the students. Teachers will be trained in our methodology, adapting an efficient training route based on the identification of students' learning and knowledge.
The event organized by Es Hoy, DVV International and Dispurse Foundation highlighted the joint efforts of companies, municipalities, educational institutions and civil society to close the educational gaps in youth and adults. In a context where 1 in 3 people in Peru have not completed their basic education, this event highlighted the importance of education as a tool for transformation.
In commemoration of International Literacy Day, Dispurse Foundation joined the awareness parade held in the city of Cajamarca. This event brought together students, teachers, organizations and local authorities to highlight the importance of literacy in personal and community development.
María Quispe Ito is a 51-year-old artisan who knits hats, gloves and booties with sheep's wool and sells them in the Plaza de Armas of her district Coata, in the Puno region. As a child she was forced to work, so she was taken away from school by her parents when she was very young.