Living & Arts

Turning food into an opportunity to educate

In print | November 19, 2009

Since 2005, the Village Education Project, or VEP, has supported youth from three rural villages outside of Otavalo, Ecuador in their pursuit of a high school degree. Each summer, Swarthmore College students as well as volunteers spanning the U.S. travel to Otavalo in order to teach a rigorous summer Math and English program. “Any child who receives a 16 out of 20, which is considered a passing grade, will be awarded a scholarship by VEP,” said Jake Ban ’10, the current Director of Operations for VEP. “As long as the child maintains an average of 16/20, the scholarship will be renewed annually until the child has graduated high school,” Ban added. Because high school costs nearly $200 per year, an impossible rate for most rural families, the project pays the full costs of secondary education in the villages where it works.

The other component to VEP exists at Swarthmore, where students volunteer year-round, taking on the task of fundraising, curriculum development, and publicity. VEP’s fall fundraising initiative will take place in Shane Lounge this Sunday, November 22nd at 8:30pm. VEP is hosting a gourmet buffet event called “Eat for Education.” Over 20 vendors surrounding Swarthmore—such as Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, 320 Market and Panera Bread—will provide the food and drink. Attendees will pay $5 for a trip down the buffet line, which also includes one raffle ticket for students’ choice of 100 meal points, an $80 Target Gift Certificate, or a 1-hour hot stone massage.

“We’re really indebted to all of our contributors,” said Ban. Linda McDougal, who works as executive director of Dining Services, helped the Village Education Project secure a donation of 60 muffins from Sweet Potato Café, as well as 72 freshly-baked bagels. Barbara Magee, a massage therapist who serves clients at Worth Health Center, kindly agreed to donate a 60-minute deluxe therapy session.

The Village Education invites everyone to enter their raffles, to support global access to school, and most importantly, to “EAT” for education.