Ashley Cecil

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8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $220
SOLD
See all paintings available for sale.

I thoroughly enjoy seeing strategy and policy in action outside of the offices they’re created in. While in Caracas, my group had many formal meetings about government infrastructure and politics, but talking to those who were on the receiving end of all the planning is how I was most impacted.

These children were sitting outside in the garden of their rural Bolivarian school listening to a local farmer’s instructions on how they would cultivate a vegetable garden in the space designated for their class. Collectively, the school is working to grow enough food to be self-sustaining. For a country that imports roughly two thirds of its meat and produce, teaching its young citizens how to make use of available farm land is an important part of a community-specific education.

Although the farmer teaching this particular class is part of the faculty, meeting with all 200 students (preschool through seventh grade) throughout the year, the overall education is well-rounded and comprehensive. Keeping in mind that this school is in a rural town of 1,200, I was pleased to find it was striving to stay abreast of the times and soon would have their entire computer lab online. At a glance, the curriculum seemed to balance the sciences and arts well. They also ensured that students were exposed to a change in scenery with field trips to museums in nearby cities.

Major bonuses, such as visits to the science museum in Caracas, were used as incentives in student government campaigns by children aspiring to be a part of the direction of the school. I was amazed that when we met with the principle to talk about changes implemented in the school since Chavez’s rule, we were also greeted and addressed by the 7th grade class president, a 7th grade congresswoman, and the head of the environmental committee (appointed by the student government after being caught littering on the playground). These children proudly contribute to the school in a unique capacity beyond as students.

The school seemed to run around the clock since, in the evening, tiny chairs and desks were pushed to the sides as adults met for literacy and GED classes. The entire outfit seemed very advanced for a poor and developing nation. I definitely left inspired.

8\" x 10\" oil on canvas, $220 SOLD See all paintings available for sale. I thoroughly enjoy seeing strategy and policy in action outside of the offices they\'re created in. While in Caracas, my group had many formal meetings about government infrastructure and politics, but talking to those who were on the receiving end of all ...