Aguaytia, Peru –
In a community where violence and drugs are the norm and old, damaged buildings line the streets, a sign of hope arrived recently. An inauguration for recently built, Jose Maria Arguedas School was held in Aguaytia, Peru, March 13.
The construction follows the U.S. Army South theme of working together as trusted professionals and strengthening military-to-military relationships.
“The Jose Maria Arguedas School opening shows the great partnership between U.S. Army South and the West Virginia National Guard State Partnership Program with Peru,” said Maj. Gen. K.K. Chinn, U.S. Army South commanding general.
Named after the notable Peruvian novelist, the school is derived from the efforts of the U.S. Army South Chief of Staff Engineers, or ACSENG, and Peruvian contractors. ACSENG has been working on humanitarian assistance program, or HAP, construction projects in Peru since 2008.
“The way this HAP was conducted will prepare our partners to be successful with future projects,” said Maj. Dan Clevenger, project officer, 111th Engineer Brigade of West Virginia Army National Guard.
The 111th Engineer Brigade was responsible for project design, management and quality assurance inspections. Peruvian engineers were able to observe and learn how to manage contracts, from their U.S. counterparts in preparation for upcoming endeavors.
The estimated $1.3 million school consists of 12 classrooms, three administrative offices and a computer room, in addition to other amenities. It will serve more than 800 elementary students for first through fifth grades.
The incoming students showed excitement about what this means for their future with technology and supplies that weren’t available before.
“U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army South and the West Virginia Army National Guard’s cooperation to provide school supplies, the computer center and technology lab to build this school is a concrete demonstration of our commitment to the people of Peru and promotes licit lifestyles and takes people out of coca cultivation,” said Brian Nichols, U.S. Ambassador to Peru.
The school represents what is anticipated for the region, whose past is plagued with violence brought from the production of coca, the plant that cocaine is made from. When the government’s plan to eradicate the plant caused the area to suffer a loss of income, the citizens were discouraged in the institution’s abilities to provide for the people.
The Jose Maria Arguedas School allows the government to establish a permanent educational presence and access that supports the community, which will improve the standard of living and hopefully restore lost confidence.
“It was very satisfying to see the smiles on all the children’s faces as they received new supplies in their new school,” Chinn said.