The academic year has come to a close, leaving behind a remarkable experience etched in the memories of students, educators, and families. They all became protagonists of a project aimed at fostering unity and cooperation through social involvement. Under the “Teach to Entrepreneur” initiative, organised by the Santa Cruz City Council, in collaboration with the Municipal Institute of Social Care (IMAS) and the General Foundation of the University of La Laguna, over 2,200 students from 75 schools on the island, along with 240 teachers, took part in this effort to promote collaborative values.
Through the establishment of school cooperatives, where they worked throughout the year, the project culminated in the Social Cooperation Fair held in García Sanabria Park. Participants sold self-made products, with proceeds donated to 35 NGOs.
Tamara Chander, a teacher at the Nazaret school in Los Realejos, described the initiative carried out with 3rd-year ESO students. “The students formed their cooperative, assigned roles, and selected the products to sell with the goal of generating income to benefit society.”
In their case, they opted to grow plants – purchasing seeds with their funds and seeking assistance from institutions to acquire 300 pots. “They nurtured the plants at the school, selling almost all at the Fair, which brought them immense joy. For the unsold items, a separate fair was organised at the school to showcase their efforts. We are thrilled with this initial experience and plan to repeat it next year,” she shared.
Similarly, Manuel Gómez, a student at IES Anaga in the capital, reflected on the value gained from participating in these cooperatives. “We focused on a standout product – personalised license plates featuring Canary Islands names, which sold exceptionally well. We honed our teamwork skills and developed sales strategies with a charitable purpose. We are delighted with the results and look forward to revisiting this project.”
A parent, Jacqueline, whose child attends the Enclave Classroom at IES Anaga, praised the experience. “Instilling values and instilling a sense of responsibility for their future is crucial, and this project has encapsulated that perfectly. My child’s group sold plants, beads, and homemade sweets, with families actively involved. It’s a source of pride to see them viewed as valuable contributors rather than a burden.”
