North & Central America

The NRC is a grassroots, non-profit organization located in the east end of Richmond, Virginia in a neighborhood called Greater Fulton Hill (GFH). The center was established to provide community members with a place to build relationships, access resources and develop skills to enhance their lives and determine the fate of their community. Truancy, poverty, gun violence, domestic violence, and substance abuse are common obstacles found in the neighborhood. In an effort to provide the youngest citizens of this community with a healthy beginning, the NRC partnered with some local Montessorians to open a Montessori preschool in June 2006. The first summer half-day “pilot program” was an overwhelming success!

The preschool is now a full-day program, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m, Monday thru Friday and includes a Kindergarten group. The preschool offers a quality Montessori education on a sliding-scale basis; we believe it to be the first in the nation to do so. There are currently 16 children enrolled. The preschool is licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS). Montessori materials are used in the classroom, and the prepared environment is supported by two AMI-trained teachers.

Otoch Paal Montessori Community Center is a labor of love designed to educate the indigenous children from the Mayan Riviera. Otoch Paal makes it possible for families with low incomes from the community of Akumal and neighboring areas to have high quality pre-school education for children ages 18 months to 6 years. Our next goal is to add new buildings to house an elementary program with separate boys and girls bathrooms as required by the Secreteria de Educacion Publica.

The school offers an authentic Montessori education, based on the philosophy, teachings and methods of Maria Montessori. The Community Centre currently has around 60 children in four environments, one for 18 month to 3 year olds, two for 3 – 6 year olds and one for teaching English. Each environment is in the form of a circular shelter; the typical dwelling of the Mayan culture. The parents of the families meet every Sunday with a common objective: to improve the facilities and to collaborate with tasks that ensure their children will receive the very best education. The mothers keep the rooms clean and work together to make some of the materials that their children use. All of them are enthused with a spirit of hope and harmony. The marvels of nature and the warmth of the people have allowed a true Montessori community to be embraced daily.

Summary of Project

Liberty Foundation believes in providing an environment in which children ‘at risk’ , and those with disabilities and special needs can gain access to rehabilitation, care and the educational tools they will need to build healthy, successful lives.

The Home

Liberty Children’s Home is a purpose-built home to house and care for orphaned, abused and neglected children in Ladyville, Belize and opened in July 2005. The home has a child-centred approach influenced by the Pikler method of childcare, a well researched approach developed to prevent the damaging effects of institutionalisation on children and the Montessori philosophy of education, a method of teaching that aims for the fullest possible development of the whole child.

Liberty Community School

In October 2006 Liberty’s newly built school and learning centre opened its doors to the eagerly awaiting children of both Liberty Children’s Home and the wider community of Ladyville. Teachers, caregivers and parents have all been working together towards a common goal of providing the children with an environment where each child can develop to his/her potential.

Over the past five years, Mi Casita Montessori has grown exponentially, driven by the passion and dedication of Shirley Lopez Yancor, a Guatemalan Montessori primary directress. Mi Casita Montessori’s vision is to support the unique development of each child and to inspire life-long learners capable of realizing positive change in their society. The school is located in the mountainous highlands in Guatemala’s second largest city, Quetzaltenango or “Xela”. Mi Casita Montessori is the first Montessori program in the city led by an AMI trained teacher. The school has grown from six primary aged children in 2012 to fifty-nine children ages 2.5 to 9.

Guatemala’s long history of violence and entrenched poverty means that education, particularly early-childhood education, is unavailable to many children there. The programs that do exist often lack materials, properly trained teachers, and opportunities for children to become inspired by learning. Working under the guidelines of AMI, Mi Casita Montessori has created a safe, nurturing environment where each child is supported on his or her path to intellectual, physical and social development. More importantly, Mi Casita holds a vision of fostering peace by offering children with the tools to interact with one another with grace and respect. The school wishes to actively heal the scars left by years of civil war and political violence.