Ananda Learning Center seeks to train teachers
November 2024
In 2015, Centro de Aprendizaje Ananda was established in San Sebastian Rio Hondo, Oaxaca, Mexico. Ananda was integrated into an already established “Ecovillananda” project, with a goal of incorporating Montessori education with sustainable ecological practices and holistic human development for indigenous Zapotec children and families.
Today, Ananda hosts one Preschool, one Lower Elementary (6-9yrs), one Upper Elementary (9-12yrs) , and one Middle School (12-15yrs). Ananda aspires to open a High School class (15-18yrs).
MGGF is providing funds that will help one of their current teachers obtain her Montessori teacher training. Atalia will obtain her AMI Primary certification allowing her to become a Primary teacher and serve as Pedagogical Coordinator. MGGF is inspired by the work being done at Ananda and excited to support their future growth.
November 2023
Through your generosity MGGF was able to make an additional grant to Ananda to support their teacher training intiative for Osvelia and Margarita. This grant will enable them to continue their Vision as stated in their application to “Participate in the transformation of the current educational system towards a more conscious form of learning, respectful and contextualized through our child development center. Integrate the children of the community international and the local indigenous community to develop jointly, ensuring that the majority of educational leaders are native to the place. Develop awareness, gratitude and healthy lifestyle and relationship habits, respectful and aware of each other and our environment.”
Ananda is a unique project at the country level as it gives priority access to children of Zapotec origin, also establishing a percentage of 35%-40% for children from other cultures. This creates a cultural mix that enriches all students allowing them to internalize, through experience, that we are the same on a human level, we are truly equal. They have plans to expand and create a model for other schools.
Your gift will further the positive impact Ananda has on children in this unique community.
Located in the small Sierra Sur de Oaxaca community of San Sebastián Rio Hondo, Ananda Learning Center serves the local indigenous community. As stated in their application, “We want to train students who aspire to a more fraternal world, who are sensitive and supportive, capable of assimilating the rules of co-existence, who discover their own responsibility in the educational process, who are capable of teamwork and assuming stable commitments.’
‘Our short term goal is to have teachers trained at an AMI Montessori level … In the medium term we want to build the Montessori continuum capable of also supporting adolescents and young people …(12 to 18 years old).
Ananda has asked for our help in acquiring Montessori classroom materials as well as training a local indigenous person in Montessori pedagogy. Having this new Montessori-trained guide will enrich the education of more local children. It will also enable Ananda to reach more deeply into the wider community, introducing Montessori principles to the different schools in their area.
Your donation will enable Ananda Learning Center to grow, positively impacting this under-resourced community. Think of the impact your gift will have.
