Teachers, students bring education tools to Amazonian youths

As world geography teachers, it’s only appropriate that Kimberly Caipa and Caprice Leidig have the opportunity to travel the world.

The Silvestri Junior High School, 1055 Silverado Ranch Blvd., teachers traveled 100 river miles to deliver donations of school supplies to remote villages throughout the Peruvian Amazon rainforest in April.

“School is provided to the children for free in Peru; however, they have to provide their own school supplies, which can be out of reach for many families,” Leidig said. “These donations reach out and give the opportunity to so many children who would otherwise be at home working.”

The 10-day adventure was organized by the Civil Association for Conservation of the Peruvian Amazon Environment through its adopt-a-school program, which covers 56 communities, 106 schools and more than 3,500 teachers and students. The organization also serves as a rainforest conservation group.

“We’ve adopted the same school in the village of Urco Mirano for the last four years, and every year, our students raise more money for them,” Caipa said. “After last year, one of the organizers came to us and said we should help deliver the supplies, and we jumped at the opportunity.”

Before the trip, the colleagues prepared by receiving vaccines for various illnesses, including typhoid fever, hepatitis and malaria. They also purchased “industrial strength” bug repellent and rain boots.

Caipa and Leidig flew into Iquitos, Peru, and traveled by boat along the Amazon and Napo rivers to the deliver supplies to about 15 schools with their assigned group.

“The first school we visited was the one we’ve adopted over the years, and they gave us an incredible welcoming ceremony,” Leidig said. “The mayor, police chief and head of the PTA gave speeches, and the children did performances.”

While the trip was a bit of a culture shock, Leidig said it was also a humbling experience.

“It was very humbling to go into such an amazing environment and take in the people and their culture. Everyone was so grateful and appreciative,” she said. “It took quite a lot to get it all together, but we would do it again, without a doubt. We will find a way to go back to Peru.”

The duo said they try to teach their eighth-graders that they’re capable of making a difference in the world. Silvestri has donated more than $4,000 to the adopt-a-school program.

“The students know that even if they’re only donating just $2 or $3, they’re still helping other kids get an education,” Caipa said. “Before the school we adopted was in the program, it had 30 students, and now it has 160. These are kids who wouldn’t be going to school without our donations.”

In addition to being a good role model, Caipa hopes to encourage her students “to be a little fearless.”

“Let’s face it: There’s a lot of people who would not go to the Amazon, even if they had the opportunity,” Caipa said. “Over and over again, our students have told us, ‘Thank you for inspiring me to explore and make the world a better place.’ I’m very happy we were able to impact them in that way.”

Caipa and Leidig are also scheduled to travel to South Africa in mid-June as recipients of a fellowship with Fund For Teachers.

For more information, visit conapac.org.

To reach Henderson View reporter Caitlyn Belcher, email cbelcher@viewnews.com or call 702-383-0403. Find her on twitter: @caitlynbelcher.