CHILE

Chile’s impressive economic growth since 1990 has allowed the country to address social issues like poverty and education. Even so, Chilean income distribution remains among the most unequal throughout Latin America and Africa. This inequality is the basis of Chile’s current educational system problems:

  • Poor educational quality: Chile ranks 107th out of 134 in the quality of its math and science education. Ethiopia's GNI per capita is a fraction of Chile's, yet it ranks 104th (World Economic Forum).
  • Science: 40% of Chilean 15-year-olds tested scored below a critical level of science literacy on the 2006 PISA exam, compared to 24% of students tested in the U.S. (OECD).
  • Low numbers of children attending preprimary school: The OECD average for enrollment rates among children age four and under is 69%, versus 35% in Chile.

Mano Amiga Recoleta and Mano Amiga Santa Teresita La Pincoya

Location: Santiago

Opened: First school opened in 1989

Number of Students: 2,270

Chile’s first Mano Amiga school opened in 1989 in Recoleta, near downtown Santiago. The school has had a powerful impact on the neighborhood and now educates 1,120 preschool through high school students. 

  • The vast majority of graduates of Mano Amiga Recoleta continue on to attend university or a professional technical training program.
  • Recoleta’s local community is a great supporter of the school with frequent donations including food for needy families and new computers.
  • In addition to the school in Recoleta, Mano Amiga opened two other schools in Santiago in 2002: Mano Amiga Santa Teresita and Mano Amiga Fernandez León.
  • Worldfund’s contributions to the Mano Amiga schools in Chile include funds for teacher salaries and infrastructure renovations.

Mano Amiga (Helping Hand) schools were first founded by a Catholic priest in Mexico City in 1963 in response to the grave financial, educational and social problems of impoverished neighborhoods throughout Latin America. Today, there are 31 schools in the Mano Amiga network, serving more than 19,000 students living in underprivileged communities in Latin America.