Paraguay - The Joy of Learning by Touching Soil: An innovative education project is underway in the city of Arroyos y Esteros, Cordillera Department, Paraguay. This project, called 'Sowing Seeds in School (Ñemyty Mbo’ehaópe),' aims to simultaneously pursue environmental education and practical educational effects through the creation of school organic gardens and is being promoted as part of the 'Entrepreneurship Community' program.
National School No. 2226 Berta Saldívar de Papalardo is where the first garden of this project was established, and it is expected to serve as a center for education and dissemination to other schools in the future.
Luisa Lucha Abate, who led this project, explains that school gardens provide a good opportunity for community formation. "It offers an experience where teachers, students, parents, neighbors, and local authorities all cooperate to move towards the common goal of education."
One of the biggest features of this project is its integration with the school curriculum. Ms. Abate emphasizes that the garden is a space where knowledge from various subjects can be learned in an integrated way. "While working in the garden, children can learn math, language, writing, and even natural science in a practical way."
She adds that this educational method provides students with a living, meaningful learning experience because they directly participate in all processes from planting seeds to harvesting.
In addition, this project contributes to the formation of healthy eating habits. Through the crops they grow themselves, students increase their awareness of healthy food and are encouraged to garden at home as well. Ms. Abate stated, "My dream is to create a garden network connecting schools and homes," and expressed that this project will play an important role in securing food sovereignty for the local community.
One of the major achievements of the 2024 program is the 'Educator Training Course.' This course aims to help students in teacher training programs and agricultural technical high school students learn garden education methods and disseminate them to other schools.
Ms. Abate explained, "They will receive training during the first semester and apply what they learned in teaching practice during the second semester." This will play an important role in ensuring the sustainability of the project by equipping future teachers and agricultural technology experts with the ability to create and operate gardens in schools.
To support this education, an agreement was signed with the Cordillera Department of Education to have the completion of education hours recognized as part of the students' curriculum.
The 'Sowing Seeds in School' project is based on an educational philosophy deeply rooted in the history of Paraguayan education. Ms. Abate emphasizes that this project succeeds the legacy of Ramón Indalecio Cardozo, a prominent Paraguayan educator of the 1920s who sought to integrate education, labor, and self-reliance through the 'Escuela Viva' (Living School) educational model.
Following the successful start at Berta Saldívar de Papalardo School, the project team aims to expand to more schools in Arroyos y Esteros and other regions. Ms. Abate added, "To this end, the excellent team leading this project is seeking sponsors and collaborators to support the costs of instructors, materials, and infrastructure needed for the installation of new gardens."
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