The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

Children study in back of truck in virus-hit Mexico

An improvised school in Mexico's capital is helping underprivileged children keep studying during the pandemic with classes in the street, a blacksmith's shop and even the back of an old truck.

The project helps students struggling to keep up with the government's distance-learning program

The project is aimed at students struggling to keep up with a distance-learning program launched by the government for tens of millions of children whose schools have shut.

Each morning, after washing their hands, students in face masks squeeze into the back of a pick-up truck parked at the side of a street in Mexico City and sit at desks ready to learn.

"We've equipped it with television, internet, a laptop and a smartphone to help disadvantaged children to take their classes," Dalia Davila, the 34-year-old manager of the project, told AFP.

Under a canopy to protect against the sun, a mother tried to connect an old cellphone to a Wi-Fi network to download teaching materials for her 11-year-old daughter.

ADVERTISEMENT

A notice informs passers-by: "We ask you for respect, you are entering a study area."

Around 30 million Mexican children began a new school year last month with distance learning via television in collaboration with four private channels.

Schools have been closed since March in Mexico, which has recorded more than 66,000 coronavirus deaths -- one of the world's highest tolls.

Around 70 children between the ages of six and 15 have so far attended the "Little Corner of Hope" street school in a suburb of the capital.

The community effort relies on the support of several volunteer teachers, donations of electronic equipment, a blacksmith who allows the use of a workshop and a tortilla shop that provides a free internet connection.

ADVERTISEMENT

"The most difficult things are the weather, sometimes there's a lot of sun, a lot of noise, and it's difficult to teach a language in the street," said English teacher Eduardo Soto.

The 50-year-old offered his services for free after the pandemic left him without work.

Car horns and the noise of street traffic test the concentration of the students as they grapple with technological challenges.

"It's been very difficult (for the children), first because they didn't know how to use a computer, then because they didn't give us any training to use the applications," said mother-of-three Martha Hernandez.

"I didn't even know how to insert a file," she said.

ADVERTISEMENT

For Davila and her partner, helping disadvantaged children is a way of coping with the death of their own young son, Leonardo, due to a heart condition.

"All this pain we transform into love, in sharing with those most in need," she said.

nc/dr/jh

3 slides

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

Frida Mokaya appointed new Chief Registrar of the Judiciary

Frida Mokaya appointed new Chief Registrar of the Judiciary

Death toll in Kenyatta University bus accident rises

Death toll in Kenyatta University bus accident rises

Rita Tinina's final moments & illness

Rita Tinina's final moments & illness

Man who was with Brian Chira reveals his final words

Man who was with Brian Chira reveals his final words

Ruto celebrates 29-year-old earning Sh68K per week via online jobs

Ruto celebrates 29-year-old earning Sh68K per week via online jobs

Gachagua's promise to Kapsabet Boys School after accident that left 2 dead, scores injured

Gachagua's promise to Kapsabet Boys School after accident that left 2 dead, scores injured

Brian Chira's family seeks help following his tragic death

Brian Chira's family seeks help following his tragic death

Details of Ruto & Raila's grand strategy to secure Commission Chair seat

Details of Ruto & Raila's grand strategy to secure Commission Chair seat

President Ruto's bold declaration on the economy & signs that Kenya is going places

President Ruto's bold declaration on the economy & signs that Kenya is going places

ADVERTISEMENT