It is 8:15 AM and most students of the Leadership Course taught by the Ministry of Education are waiting for the class to begin, except for Suyen Noguera, a tall, energetic woman, who is known for always being in a rush.

To her classmate’s surprise and admiration, every day, before attending the courses, Suyen stops by the Solomon De la Selva School, where she has been the Director for 9 years. “I like to be there to welcome students and parents in the beginning of the school mornings, and to make sure everything is in order,” says the director. Every morning, she leaves her home located in Nindiri at 6:00 AM, takes a bus and after a 10-minute ride, walks about 200 meters to the school. Her commitment and dedication to education has paid off, as her school is known for being “the cleanest” among other schools in the municipality, this despite not having cleaning staff; it’s also known for being the school with the highest student academic performance (98% in the first half of 2017), and high percentage of student retention (currently 97%.) According to Suyen, the key to these achievements is due to the outstanding organization among school authorities, teachers, and parents, in addition to the support they receive from companies and organizations.

Since 2012, the Salomón de la Selva School is one of 26 schools who benefit from the Nutriendo el Futuro Project, a project funded by Cargill and run by Care International and Fabretto Foundation.

There are currently 185 boys and girls, from preschool to sixth grade in this educational center located in Barrio Los Madrigales Sur de Nindirí. It has gone from having 2 multi-grade classrooms, to having 6 classrooms, a dining room, a library and a management office; but the school infrastructure isn’t the only thing that has grown, but so has the education and good habits taught in the school. Currently, its educational community develops activities focused on promoting and providing a balanced diet for children and in the care of the environment.

The school has had a school garden for the past 7 years, but as of 4 years ago it has been allowed to supplement the school snacks provided by the Ministry of Education. With the support of the Nutriendo el Futuro Project, the school garden has been made biointensive. Children have harvested eggplants, tomatoes, spinach, beans, beets and cucumbers; “Children prefer to eat rice and beans, accompanied by spinach cakes and tomato salad,” says Suyen, who adds that parents and teachers are committed to providing students with a balanced meal.

Through the project Nutriendo el Futuro and initiatives of their own, such as school festivals, games, among other activities, Suyen, the teachers, students and their families are able to learn more about environmental topics. “In this school we are all one big family; things work better when we all work together,” says 40-year-old Suyen, 12 years of which she has dedicated to her love of education and management of it. “It makes me sad when I am away from school or on vacation… somehow the noise is something I’ve come to love,” says the exemplary Director.

You can also support leadership skills in teachers and principals such as Suyen, by donating through to Fabretto’s educational programs. Donate here.