San Pedro Pedernal Needs a new High School
Indigenous communities in Chiapas, like San Pedro Pedernal, have a high school dropout rate of 55%. When we build a new concrete/block school for them, attendance doubles!
Meet San Pedro Pedernal, Chiapas, Mexico
The small community of San Pedro Pedernal has about 1200 people, with an average household income of less than $150 per month. The people speak an indigenous Mayan language, so the students have to learn Spanish as a second language in order to receive an education. All students walk to and from school each weekday, with an average distance of 60 minutes each way, and some up to 3 hours one-way. The average grade of education in the community is 6th grade.
This new classroom & computer lab will serve over 125 high school students, and in the future will be a Koltael University project, the first to serve the community with accredited college degrees. A building like this costs between $45,000 - 50,000 USD to complete and takes about 3-4 months.
Progress Photos
Updated as of April 1, 2024
Andrew Mangeris with Jorge Luis Escandón Hernández the General Director of COBACH Chiapas.
Andrew Mangeris with Carlos Natarén Nandayapa, the President of UNACH, accredited online university.
Andrew Mangeris with Emilio Ramón Ramírez Guzmán, Chiapas’ Secretary of Indigenous Communities.
WHY CHIAPAS?
Chiapas is one of the poorest states in all of Mexico, with a poverty rate of about 75%, with 47% living in extreme poverty. It is a region that has one of the largest and most diverse indigenous populations. Because of the remote and rugged terrain in Chiapas, many people have limited access to jobs, education, and modern advances. The biggest hurdle for most impoverished citizens to overcome is a basic education. Educational facilities are decrepit and unsafe. By the time children are old enough for high school they are mature enough to labor and help provide for their families, which leads to the high dropout rate.
The Founders of Koltael have been successfully working in this region since 2014 to create sustainable change in these isolated indigenous communities. We have developed relationships with local authorities and gained the trust of community leaders. These leaders have graciously welcomed us into their communities for almost a decade and recognize the important work we do.
In communities where we build a new high school facility, students’ attendance typically doubles, making a lasting impact on the devastating dropout rate.
Continued hands-on efforts focusing on education have proven to be the most successful way to break the poverty cycle. The in-person experience with members of the communities during these trips provides hope to the students that they can break the educational barriers of previous generations and builds meaningful relationships that will be an inspiration for a lifetime.