Wi-fi repeater antenna, furniture, and equipment for the Elementary School shelter
School No. 213, “Cacique Martín Iquín,” is located in Quilmes, in a rural area of the Valles Calchaquíes in the province of Tucumán. Fifty-seven students who belong to the native community of Quilmes Town attend this school. Students travel up to seven miles daily to get to the school, putting many children’s continuity and educational performance at risk. Although the school had facilities to board the children overnight, it did not have adequate equipment for their stay.
The Argentina Chicago Foundation raised the necessary funds to equip the boarding school so that all the children who live far from school can stay during the week and thus regularly attend classes. At the end of this project, the building can board 24 children. The Foundation donated beds, pillows, sheets, bedside tables, curtains, electric stoves, standing fans, a cabinet with eight lockers, and a washing machine to keep all the clothes clean. Internet access in the area was also improved by donating a repeater antenna for the elementary school.
This project, which was called “Sueños de Cambio” (Dreams of Change), guarantees that children have a cozy, safe, and comfortable place while they are away from home and protects them from the inclement weather typical of the area, favoring regular classes where the children can have proper facilities to rest as well.
Updates on Project 2022 School Nº 213 “Cacique Martín Iquín”
March 2023
The Argentina Chicago Foundation conducted a virtual meeting via Zoom with Mr. Daniel Chokis, the School Principal. Unfortunately, we learned that, due to the economic crisis in Argentina over the past few years, exacerbated by the pandemic, the Tucumán Department of Education could not provide the necessary staff (chef & cleaning) and supplies for the shelter to function. Consequently, the shelter’s activities were temporarily suspended.
Despite this setback, we confirmed that the shelter had government authorization and clearance to operate since 1978, allowing students to stay overnight. Additionally, we verified that all the donated equipment was in the same condition as on the day of its inauguration.
June 2023
ACF and Fundación León jointly submitted a letter to the Tucumán Department of Education expressing our concern and emphasizing the shelter’s vital role in the lives of students and their families. Alongside our concerns, we also requested a prompt response, which we have yet to receive.
October 2023
The school Principal informed us that, with the appointment of new staff before the inauguration of the new Minister of Education, there is optimism for a positive resolution. The school authorities remain hopeful that the shelter will reopen for the upcoming school year, 2024.
We commit to updating our webpage with further information as it becomes available. Thank you for your continued support.