The wings of knowledge

OneAction is working with INEPE to spread its internationally recognised educational model, while generating new sources of revenue to enable the Institute to provide a holistic education to children from disadvantaged neighbourhoods, and to expand its teacher-training curriculum

Location

Topics

Les ailes du savoir 2023 SDG - OneAction

Beneficiaries

Direct
700 students aged 0-18, 100 INEPE staff and 400 external teachers

Indirect
Over 30,000 students and 2,000 community members

Impact

3’000+ private and public sector teachers trained

400+ private and public sector teachers trained each year

Creation of the country’s first university of popular education

Context

Considered one of the poorest countries in Latin America, with more than 22% of its population living below the poverty line, Ecuador faces many challenges that hamper the lives of its inhabitants. Limitations in the quality of education, especially in early childhood; a conventional pedagogical approach that struggles to provide comprehensive responses to socio-economic challenges; unstable employment of uncertified teachers; and high rates of domestic violence and teenage pregnancies are some of the obstacles faced by the Ecuadorian people.

Our partner

Les ailes du savoir 2012 Contexte 3 - OneAction

Located in the heights of Quito, Ecuador, the Institute of Research, Education and Popular Promotion of Ecuador (INEPE) is a non-profit community institute that has been active for over 30 years. Its school hosts nearly 700 students aged 0 to 18, mostly from disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

Its internationally recognised holistic educational model is based on the intellectual, emotional, social, physical, artistic and creative development of students. Children are actively involved in the learning process, and traditional subjects are supplemented by a wide variety of activities ranging from sustainable agriculture and reforestation to tai chi, meditation, yoga and music. In this way, INEPE seeks to develop responsible future citizens who are equipped to lift themselves out of poverty, build their self-esteem, take care of their health, protect their natural environment, and become agents of change for themselves, their families and their communities.

The project

With the aim of helping INEPE become more autonomous and spread its educational model, OneAction supports the Institute in two main areas: the development of its school infrastructure and garden, and the promotion of its pedagogy.

Since 2012, OneAction has financed the construction of an agronomy shack, greenhouses, water reservoirs, Andean crop terraces, a composter, a new refectory, a kitchen and additional music rooms. To spread the INEPE model, OneAction has participated in the development of an e-learning platform for teachers in the private and public sectors: an initiative that has already contributed to training nearly 3,000 people. OneAction also participated in the creation of the first popular education university in Ecuador.

The project in figures

700+

Students between 0 and 18 years

3000+

Trained teachers from public and private sectors

9

Andean crop terraces cultivated

400+

Trained teachers from public and private sectors

1600kg

Annual production of organic tomatoes

120t

Annual production of organic compost


Expected outcomes

  • More than 10 courses are created and taught on the virtual training platform.
  • Gradually, 500 to 1,500 teachers and parents are trained annually on the platform.
  • Teachers in precarious situations receive a certificate that is recognised and valued by the public service.
  • The quality of teaching is improved and the holistic educational model is spread.
  • The first university of popular education in Ecuador is created.
  • Ecuador's first popular education university is established with over 240 students enrolled for its launch.

Sustainability

  • The garden provides 50% of the Institute's food needs and hosts sustainable agriculture workshops.
  • Through the virtual teacher training platform and the University of Popular Education, INEPE is diversifying its sources of income.
  • Teachers with a certificate from the e-learning courses have a long-term advantage on the labour market.
  • The holistic education tools provided to students and teachers broaden their future prospects and improve their long-term well-being.

"INEPE promotes human development; not only the development of material goods, but also the development of human consciousness that enables alternatives to climate change and poverty."

— Patricio Raza, Director of INEPE

Equipe de terrain Les ailes du savoir Patricio Raza uai - OneAction

Our projects

Together with its partners, OneAction develops initiatives to protect nature and empower communities. These initiatives are designed to be holistic, sustainable and locally owned. In most cases, self-financing mechanisms are included in order to create models that can be replicated in different contexts.

Our projects

Together with its partners, OneAction develops initiatives to protect nature and empower communities. These initiatives are designed to be holistic, sustainable and locally owned. In most cases, self-financing mechanisms are included in order to create models that can be replicated in different contexts.

Past projects

Here are some of OneAction’s past projects.

Past projects

Here are some of OneAction’s past projects.