About
Scholars for Schools is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the quality of education in underdeveloped municipal schools throughout central Chile. Scholars for Schools works with Rotary clubs, school administrators and community volunteers to construct libraries and provide educational and technological resources to improve children’s literacy in elementary and middle schools. Our goal is to ensure that every child in central Chile has access to the necessary literacy tools for educational and life success.
History
In 2008 four Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars studying in Valparaíso, Chile created Scholars for Schools, an all volunteer organization, to provide necessary literacy and technological resources for underprivileged children. Scholars for Schools is supported by US and Chilean Rotary clubs, two Chilean Rotaract clubs, and a host of individuals who are dedicated to improving literacy and education in central Chile.
The Problem
Chile has some of the most expensive books in the world. High publishing costs and a 19 percent value added tax (VAT) on all book sales makes reading an expensive luxury that most Chilean families cannot afford. In 2006 a survey conducted by La Fuente, an international literacy foundation, revealed that more than 72 percent of Chilean homes never or almost never bought books and 93 percent of Chileans were not members of any library.
Unfortunately Chile’s high cost of books limits many educational opportunities, not just for poor children, but middle class children as well. The densely populated urban region of Valparaiso is home to over 1.5 million people and some of the poorest isolated populations in Chile. Within the lower socioeconomic classes, the problem with access to libraries and literacy resources for students is magnified. During our research, we visited ten public schools in the greater Valparaiso area to assess their literacy resources. We found that, due to the lack of resources and funding, none of the schools had a functional library and students only had access to a small fraction of their required reading.
The Solution
Between the US and Chile, Scholars for Schools works with five Rotary districts, two Chilean Rotaract clubs, school administrators, teachers, and community leaders to construct libraries and provide books and computers for underfunded elementary schools in central Chile. Volunteer interns also come from the Universidad Católica de Valparaíso and the Universidad de Playa Ancha — both in Valparaíso. Interns are diverse and may be library science students, computer information students or exchange students helping to teach english and work in libraries.
The scholars begin by researching, visiting, and choosing a school that lacks basic literacy tools. Once a school is chosen, the scholars work with the administration to create a literacy development and library construction plan.
After all the necessary materials are purchased, Scholars for Schools solicits the help of local volunteers, college students, Rotarians,and Rotaract members to transform the school’s available rooms into much needed libraries and multimedia centers. Through the building of these libraries, Scholars for Schools carries out Rotary’s continued commitment to basic needs, like literacy and education — two fundamental aspects of a developed society. We try to help underprivileged children receive the tools they need for a bright and successful future.
