Otra Cosa Network recently constructed a new Recreation & Education Center in the community of Cerrito de la Virgen, an informal settlement of dusty streets and brick buildings outside the tourist areas of Huanchaco. This center houses all of their education programs for the community, as well as a skate ramp constructed in coordination with another community partner.
This is one of Otra Cosa Network's beneficiaries for the English program in the community of Cerrito de la Virgen. She'd like to go to university and study to become a shopping mall designer. This requires a knowledge of English, however. No one in her family speaks English, nor do any of her friends. Otra Cosa Network is currently her only opportunity in her community to learn English. She loves coming to the classes for the opportunity to speak English with the instructors and other students, and her favorite part is learning new words to use.
In addition to spoken English, Otra Cosa Network's English classes also help children understand written English. Many parents in the community cannot read or write even in Spanish; their children are learning how to do this in two languages.
