Nelba Solis, Maestra de CEFER

 CEFER students live and study for one week at the CEFER location (currently in Alicia Pulido’s house), then return to their families’ homes where they work with their families in agriculture. The cooperative nature of the arrangement allows for students who have gotten behind in their studies due to other responsibilities at home to continue their studies even though they may be behind a number of years. Other schools do not allow for older kids to study with younger ones.

PMGL gives CEFER $260 each month to provide meals for the students.

Nelba, how did you become a teacher for CEFER?

I live in Reynaldo, 15 km from Los Zarzales. I became aware of CEFER (Centros Familiares de Educacion Rural) simply because I would often pass by when I was taking care of other business for my family. I asked Alicia (Pulido, Director of CEFER, Los Zarzales) about it. I liked the idea of the school. Later on, when problems surfaced with the previous teacher who had left, I spoke with Alicia about the position. I interviewed in the CEFER office in Managua and they hired me. I have been a teaching here for about two months.

What do you like about your job?

I like working with children, especially children with few resources. CEFER only accepts children who are 12 years old or older, and I like working with students of that age range. They understand more and it’s easier to teach them. I do like teaching students of other ages, also. I believe in education as a way for our country to overcome its problems. Education is a way for our country to develop.

What are your tasks as teacher for CEFER?

To teach the children math, Spanish, natural sciences, social studies, morals, civics and “urbanism” (that teaches about cultural values and patriotism), and environmental science.

The children have a lot of interest in learning, mostly due to the economic situation of their parents. I see their initiative when children come to school to study during the week off when normally they would work at home. I also see their interest when they stay sometimes until 5pm, and always bring their homework with them the following day. I would like to see more students studying at CEFER, maybe this will be possible when we build the new facility. Sometimes I have to make visits to the students’ homes to motivate the parents to send their children to school, in spite of the fact that it is planting or harvesting time. I convince them of the need to send them to school, and I promise they can work with the family the following week.

What other job experience have you had?

This is my first job; I have always been a student. I received my high school diploma in 2000 and now I’m studying for my BA on Saturdays in business administration. I have four more years to complete my studies.

What would you like to learn more about?

I’d like to learn more about education, because it’s good to know about a lot of things. Our first priority in our country should be education so we have more production. This is the first, most basic thing. I’m interested in teaching children so that our country can develop itself and come out ahead. I learned from my sister who is also a teacher how to make class plans, but I’m learning here how to give classes.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I like to spend time with my family. We are a family of 7 children and I am one of the youngest. I have four sisters and two brothers. I also like to read about lots of topics to learn more, particularly about history.