History

In 2017, after seeing a growing need amongst the Tarahumara people, to educate their children and show them the love of Jesus while their parents work in Mennonite villages, Amanda and Amelia Wiebe, under Oaks of Righteousness, began a school.  This was done together with the CMM church of Burwalde, Campo 107. This school has continued to grow and currently has 90 students. 

 

In September of 2020, a new school for the Tarahumara children was started.  This school was initially started for the Tarahumara youth, however has grown to include other aged students.  The expected enrollment for the 2024-2025 is close to 30 students.  Should a larger building be found for the school however, this number could quickly double.  Please pray that God would provide a building for the school and funds to sustain the school.

 

 

Background

The Tarahumara people are the indigenous people of Mexico.  Most of these people live in the mountains and come down to the Mennonite villages to work.  We have seen a lot of similarities between their culture and that of the Aboriginal people we have worked with in Manitoba.

 

Most of the children coming to the Oaks of Righteousness school, regardless of their age, are unschooled. This means they can not read, and so learning to read takes first priority in their education.  Once a student is able to read, their world of education changes drastically, as they are then able to use their skill of reading to learn – Bible, social studies, science, art, health, etc.

This last year, students were picked up by a van from their homes around 8 and brought home around lunch.  During the morning school hours, they learned ELA, Math, Social Studies, Bible, Physical Education and Music.  The ages of the students ranged from seven to 13, totaling 16 students in all.

 

Next year we hope to work together with the Burwalde School in providing transportation for the Tarahumara children of both schools.  This should reduce current gas costs and make bus routes more effective.  We also plan to provide lunch for the students starting in the fall of 2024, which would allow us to lengthen the school day into the afternoon.  This gives us additional teaching time, which will be used to add Science and Health to the subjects that are already being taught.

 

Purpose

The purpose of the Oaks of Righteousness school is simple – to change the hearts and lives of the Tarahumara children through the power, love and salvation that only Jesus Christ can give.  We believe that by educating these children, spending time with them each and every school day, sharing God’s truth with them as found in the Bible, exemplifying to them what a life surrendered to Christ looks like, and loving them as Jesus loves, we can achieve this purpose.  Through Jesus, we aim to replace the cycle of oppression, drugs, depression, abuse and worthlessness with the hope, value and purpose Jesus gives.  Educating these students is a big part of changing this cycle, as it not only gives them the means to a bright and hopeful future, but also the opportunity to read for themselves the truth found in God’s word – the Bible.