Educating for the future
The children in the orphanage are provided an education that includes cultural, language and spiritual training that will break the "Third World" shackles of a survival mentality. They will be prepared to compete in Ecuador or any other part of the world in the career of their choice as they follow Jesus with their lives.
The children previously attended a private school that emphasized education-by-rote, which did not challenge them to think and apply what they've learned in order to solve problems. Through the leading of the Holy Spirit in pursuit of excellence in our calling, we began teaching the children in a school on our own campus last fall. In 2006, we plan to open the school to children in our neighboring communities as we further seek to obey God's calling to "make disciples."
In addition to teaching critical thinking skills, we provide the students with a study environment in which they can progress according to their ability and interests. We have begun using the North American "School of Tomorrow" curriculum that facilitates these objectives.
Mario and Monica Vallejo are serving as the director and teacher (respectively) at the school. Both are masters-degreed educators with a shared vision that mirrors ours regarding education and discipleship. Sharon Stiff (co-founder of It's About Kids and "Mom" at the orphanage) teaches English at school while reinforcing learned skills at home.
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