The people of Ecuador are rising up to refound their country as a pluri-national homeland for all. This inspiring movement, with Ecuador's indigenous peoples at its heart, is part of the revolution spreading across the Americas, laying the groundwork for a new, fairer, world. Ecuador Rising aims to bring news and analysis of events unfolding in Ecuador to english speakers.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Cuban Literacy Program Makes Headway in Ecuador

GRANMA
November 17, 2006

QUITO.- Thanks to the Cuban literacy program "Yo Si Puedo" (Yes
I can) being used in 64 cantons in 18 provinces of Ecuador, 43,000
Ecuadorians can now read and write

"Since the teaching method began to be implemented in the
municipality of Cotacachi, north of Quito, two years ago, it has
entered thousands of poor people's homes throughout the country,"
said Benigno Perez, Cuba's ambassador to Ecuador.

The ambassador greeted the more than 1,400 graduating from the
program in the province of Pichincha, where Quito is located, and
recalled the phrase of Cuban National Hero Jose Marti who said: "To
be educated is to be free."

Perez said that before the year is out 24 more cantons will have
begun using the literacy program and 45,000 Ecuadorians will have
learned to read and write.

The graduation took place at the Salesiana Polytechnic University.
Gustavo Baroja, the civil governor of Pichincha; Cesa Imajinga,
president of the national council of mayors; and municipal
authorities attended.

Both Imajinga and Baroja highlighted the work of the Cuban
consultants, willing to leave their country to dedicated themselves
to this honorable and important task of teaching.

Baroja presented Maura Tamasen Leon, the Cuban coordinator of the
program for the province, with a commemorative plaque as a gesture of
appreciation.

The governor said the Yo Si Puedo program came to Ecuador to stay and
that it will continue to extend throughout the entire country. Baroja
added his hope that by 2008 Pichincha would be declared
illiteracy-free.

"There is no more important work than educating the people," said
Baroja.

Since the beginning of the program in Ecuador two years ago, six
municipalities have been declared free of illiteracy.

Ecuador has a population of 13 million people, 9 percent of which are
illiterate and 21 percent who are considered "functional
illiterates. "

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