Mapuche Schools, Chile
Serving the indigenous Mapuche children
of Manuel Lorenzo and Boyilko, Chile
Faizi School, constructed in 1980, is located in the indigenous Mapuche community of Manuel Lorenzo, serves 95 students. Dr. Muhajir School, located in the Mapuche community of Boyilko, serves 90 students. The students of both schools are primarily indigenous Mapuche, with few others who come from the surrounding districts, including children from the Ridvan Center, a school for special needs and abused children. Both schools are social and economic development projects of the Baha'i Community of Chile, serving the needs of the community.
The primary objective of these schools is to educate the children of the Mapuche community. They contribute to the social and economic development of the Mapuche people by applying an educational philosophy that promotes unity in diversity, universal education (with particular emphasis on the education of girls as the first educators of the next generation), and the equality of men and women. 
The Faizi School
The primary objective of the Faizi School is to educate the children of the Mapuche community, which is scattered on the rolling hills of Campo farmlands. The Faizi School contributes to thesocial and economic development of the Mapuche people by applying an educational philosophy that promotes unity in diversity, universal education (with particular emphasis on the education of girls as the first educators of the next generation), and the equality of men and women.
Faizi School, located in the indigenous Mapuche community of Manuel Lorenzo, is 14 Km. from Temuco, the regional capital. This K-8 school, constructed in 1980, is a social and economic development project of the Baha'i community of Chile.
Currently 95 students, primarily indigenous Mapuche, attend this school. A few come from the surrounding districts, including children from the Ridvan Center – a school for special needs and abused children.
The school has six teachers, 1 assistant teacher, and a janitor/gardener. The school year begins in March and ends in December.
topDr. Muhajir School
As with Faizi School, Dr. Muhajir School contributes to the social and economic development of the Mapuche people by applying an educational philosophy that promotes unity diversity, universal education (with particular emphasis on the education of girls as the first educators of the next generation), and the equality of men and women.
Dr. Muhajir School, located in the Mapuche community of Boyilko, serves 90 students, and is another social and economic development project of the Baha'i community of Chile. The children are primarily indigenous Mapuche and come from the neighboring communities. A few also come from the Ridvan Center, a school for special needs and abused children.
Agricultural Teaching Center
Located next to the Faizi School on a half-acre acquired in 1987, is the Agricultural Teaching center. The Center provides hands-on opportunities for the students to master best agricultural practices.
The center is an integrated system of distinct units: an organic garden, a commercial garden, an intensive organic production unit where large quantities of harvest is produced, sections for medicinal and aromatic plants, 
a compost and recycling area, an ornamental and native spice plot and an agro-forestry model of fruit-growing for large quantities.
Professional volunteers and one agricultural worker supervise this project.
Objectives of the Agricultural Teaching Center
The Agricultural Teaching Center is a model of applied education, integrating theory and practice to:
Develop and teach students sustainable farming practices
Enrich the development of surrounding communities with practical learnings which promote progress, preserve the dignity of the people, and safeguard their material well being.
Promote the development of human resources by fostering capacity-building at the grassroots, so that people are the protagonists of their own destiny
Promote ecological consciousness
Demonstrate the appropriate technology for producing large quantities of quality produce in reduced spaces, and consistent with local resources
Dr. Ahmadiyyih Girls Dormitory
This dormitory for girls is located next to the Faizi School and serves 30 children, primarily Mapuches, ages 5-14, whose families live long distances from the school, or who are sent from the Ridvan Center in Imperial City. Two home mothers act as caretakers of this dormitory.
The dormitory was established to offer Mapuche girls opportunities to:
Complete their basic schooling and prepare them to lead a self-sufficient life back in their home communities
Foster their value as women
Strengthen their identity as rural Mapuche women
Raise their capacity as change agents in the social and economic development of their indigenous communities
Strengthen and promote the role of women as the first educators of the next generation
How You Can Help
Please contact us or send your tax-deductible contributions to:
Mona Foundation
218 Main Street, Suite 404
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 743-4550
Email: monafoundation@monafoundation.org
Online: Contribute Online with your Credit Card Here