Yachay Wasi

Yachay Wasi educates over 80 students that range in age from 5 (kindergarten level) to 13 (7th grade). The cost to attend the school is highly subsidized for all students, and is based on the financial situation of each family. Almost all students pay less than $6 dollars monthly, with
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Yachay Wasi educates over 80 students that range in age from 5 (kindergarten level) to 13 (7th grade). The cost to attend the school is highly subsidized for all students, and is based on the financial situation of each family. Almost all students pay less than $6 dollars monthly, with many students paying nothing at all. Through limited assistance from the Ecuadorian government (one of the few sources of aid the school receives), the school offers both a healthy snack and a large lunch. At Yachay Wasi, education is not limited to what is gained through books and lessons but includes all inputs in one's life, including food. Therefore, the students are prepared traditional Kichwa food and all the vegetables and fruit are fresh and organic, and much of the produce is provided by the school's own large chakra, or garden, where students and community members, grow traditional Andean crops such as maize, squash, beans, and potatoes. Chickens are raised on premise, and the school recently received a donation of three llamas that will be raised to give wool for artisan weaving. Besides serving as a formal school for kindergarten-7th grade, Yachay Wasi serves the role of a community center for the local indigenous population, many of whom are recent immigrants from outlying rural communities. Yachay Wasi hosts community celebrations and social events, an after-school program for high-school students that includes natural medicine classes and English classes, and an adult literacy/alphabetization class at night for illiterate adults.