Repsol YPF

“Yes, I Can”, Literacy Programme with the support of the Repsol YPF Ecuador Foundation

I. Description 

The Repsol YPF Ecuador Foundation supports the Municipality of Canton Sucre with a literacy programme for young people and adults, both women and men, from Canton Sucre.

A) Background

The Repsol YPF Ecuador Foundation together with the Cuban Program "Yes, I Can" support the Municipality of Canton Sucre in Manabí Province to help 864 people (520 women and 344 men) learn to read and write. The "Yes, I Can” method was developed by the Latin American and Caribbean Pedagogical Institute (IPLAC), which depends on the Pedagógica de Postrado University (Havana). This programme, besides having being used very successfully in other countries, received two honourable mentions by UNESCO- in 2001 and 2002. 

The project began in April, 2006, with a duration of 12 months. The total cost is equivalent to USD 41,387,02, of which USD 22,300,02 is contributed by the Repsol YPF Ecuador Foundation. 

Before setting the project in motion, Canton’s illiteracy situation was studied, according to Canton’s Plan of Strategic Development 2002. Communities were prioritised depending on the illiteracy rate of each community. The selected communities were: 1. Ciudadela Bellavista - 2. Barrio La Cruz 3. Acuarela 4. Francisco Marazita 5. La Inmaculada 6. Puerto Ebano 7. Las Caras 8. Las Delicias 9. Cañitas.

B) Partners 

- Repsol YPF Ecuador Foundation

- Municipality of Canton Sucre in Manabí Province

- Latin American and Caribbean Pedagogical Institute (IPLAC)

- Pedagógica de Postrado University (La Habana)

C) Area 

Cantón Sucre in the Province of Manabí 

II. Objetives

- General Objective

The Objective is to reduce the illiteracy rate in Canton Sucre. It is currently at 10.9 % (23,215 inhabitants) of the total population of 52,158 inhabitants. Of that 10.9%, approximately 5,215 are completely illiterate and 18,000 are functionally illiterate. 

- Specific Objectives

To carry out the initial stage of the Program of Literacy “Yes, I can” centred on teaching reading and writing to the completely illiterate from 15 years old. It lasts 3 months and 1 week, with 65 daily, 1 hour classes. To do this, they rely on a basic infrastructure in the community, equipped with resources provided by the Repsol YPF Ecuador Foundation. 

This infrastructure will serve to open another literacy point in another zone, as soon as the process has finished in the above mentioned community. Currently, 17 points are open, with an overall goal of 48. 

III. Results

Beneficiaries:

In every literacy point there is a maximum of 20 pupils and a Community Facilitator, from the same community and advised by a Cuban teacher. 864 inhabitants should be benefited.