SELF-DISCOVER[ED]
In Bolivia, a pressing concern revolves around the absence of comprehensive education in sexual and reproductive health, rights, and gender-related issues within the school curriculum and society. This multifaceted problem affects local communities and is emblematic of a broader global challenge. The scope of this issue is defined by several dimensions:
First, there is a noticeable deficiency in sexual education: parents often ill-equipped to provide essential knowledge, especially for first-generation indigenous students: a significant portion of the population. This knowledge gap leads to misinformation and misconceptions among youth. The consequences include early pregnancies and a higher incidence of sexually transmitted infections.
Second, Bolivia grapples with alarmingly high rates of teenage pregnancy, ranking among the first countries in Latin America & the Caribbean with the highest incidence. These pregnancies not only jeopardize the health of young mothers but also limit their access to education and future opportunities.
Third, the country faces a rising tide of sexual abuse and violence, particularly against minors. A concerning proportion of the perpetrators are known to the victims, including family members, highlighting a severe lack of awareness regarding personal boundaries, consent, and child protection rights.
Resistance to gender and sexual education compounds the issue, originating from specific segments of the population, including some parents who argue for the exclusive treatment of these subjects within the family due to traditional values. It obstructs comprehensive efforts to address these vital topics in educational settings, infringing upon women's rights and exacerbating gender-based violence and discrimination, hindering progress toward gender equality and women's empowerment.
Contributing factors, an inadequate school curriculum that fails to address sexual and reproductive health, rights, and gender issues with the depth and breadth necessary for today's youth. This inadequacy contributes to parental communication gaps as parents grapple with their own lack of knowledge, leaving the younger generation susceptible to misinformation. Cultural and religious resistance complicates the challenge by upholding traditional gender roles and perpetuating inequalities. The escalating cases of sexual abuse, particularly within families, underscore the urgent need for comprehensive education on personal boundaries, and child protection. Limited government initiatives and a lack of legislative progress to address these issues have also impeded progress. The country's linguistic and cultural diversity pose additional barriers to delivering uniform education on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Bolivia is confronted with the immediate necessity of introducing comprehensive education in SHRH, and gender issues within its school system. This pervasive problem demands a holistic solution that encompasses curriculum development, parental engagement, cultural sensitivities, and resistance to change. By instituting a well-structured educational program, Bolivia can take significant strides toward reducing teenage pregnancies, fostering gender equality, and ensuring that children grow up with accurate information about their rights and responsibilities. This can be achieved in collaboration with medical schools and organizations dedicated to SHRH. These efforts pave the way for a brighter future for the nation's youth and society as a whole.
SELF-DISCOVER[ED]
Collaborating with SoGreen: a pioneering climate tech startup utilizing a unique model to measure the environmental impact of enhancing girls' secondary education in low-income countries, active in Zambia and expanding to Bolivia, prioritizing the education of vulnerable girls in climate-affected regions.
And with Ástráður: an Icelandic SHRH NGO led by University of Iceland medical students, that has provided vital sex education to secondary schools for 20 years, covering health, communication, and consent, aiming to support the Ministry of Education to enhance school-based sex education.
Now, SELF-DISCOVER[ED] based on the SoGreen Scientific Model and the Strategies that the Medical Students from the University of Icelandia of Ástráður have been developing for the last 2 decades, is working on driving indigenous, rural and first-generation students in Bolivia through comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) education, while simultaneously fighting against climate issues.
The project is led by Bolivian Youth Adolescent Girls and medical students from the University Mayor de San Andrés, Private University Franz Tamayo, and the Public University of El Alto. They possess a deep understanding of Bolivia's SHRH context and aim to integrate the Ástráður Sexual Education Model into the curriculum, combining in-person and tech-driven programs based on scientific and social research. Their goal is to support the Ministries of Education and Health in implementing a comprehensive SHRH curriculum.
Bolivia faced difficulties introducing Sexual Education in 2023, sparking claims and protests. Our project offers a more effective approach, involving close collaboration with medical professionals, students, and Ástráður, all contributing to the successful SHRH integration into the national curriculum for the benefit of all students.
SELF-DISCOVER[ED] empowers indigenous and first-generation students with comprehensive SRHR education while funding the development of webpages for students to consult medical professionals anonymously (free for beefitiaries), facilitating access to experts, off-line, on-line, through in-person and virtual concientization visits to school for the students (all done through a well planned agenda with set goals per session, week, month and year), it will also help supporting travel to remote regions, aiding research by sociologists and medical students, and enabling the creation of educational materials distributed to all private and public schools which will be approved and distributed by the Ministry of Education. Our unique funding mechanism via international carbon credits, purchased by corporations with decarbonization strategies, ensures program sustainability. SoGreen's methodology quantifies the climate impact of increasing girls' secondary education and contributes to our mission through carbon credit sales in the global market, aligning with expected market growth.
The initiative plans to start SRHR programs in 10 schools next year, reaching 2,000 indigenous and first-generation students. Over the next 5 years, it will expand to 100 schools, benefiting 20,000 students, with a focus on underserved indigenous communities. The initiative will also integrate these topics into the Bolivian education system using online platforms, directed studies, and research by multidisciplinary professionals and students.
SELF-DISCOVER[ED] empowers marginalized communities, reduces teenage pregnancies, promotes gender equality, and advances indigenous and first-generation students' futures through comprehensive SRHR education in Bolivia.
The solution focuses on serving schools and communities in Bolivia, particularly targeting indigenous and first-generation students, primarily young women in their 12th grade, who are around 18 years old. These marginalized populations currently lack comprehensive education in sexual and reproductive health, rights (SRHR), and gender-related issues, rendering them vulnerable to early pregnancies and hindering their overall well-being and development.
This solution will empower adolescents and young individuals with accurate information about their rights and responsibilities, reducing teenage pregnancies, promoting gender equality, and enhancing their overall well-being. The incorporation of a new educational curriculum is not just a one-time project but part of a sustained, long-term effort.
Our innovative approach integrates funding through the sale of carbon credits on the international carbon market. These credits are anticipated to be acquired by buyers worldwide, primarily corporations with ambitious decarbonization strategies, aligning with the growth of the global carbon market. This funding mechanism will support the introduction of comprehensive education in SRHR and gender-related issues within Bolivia's school system.
The holistic approach of introducing SRHR and gender-related education in Bolivia's school system, in collaboration with SoGreen, will significantly impact the target population. It will empower marginalized adolescents with knowledge, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health, thus breaking the cycle of misinformation and misunderstanding that hinders their development. In doing so, we contribute to a brighter future for the nation's youth and society as a whole.
The project also serves us, a diverse group of individuals, including scientists, medical professionals, students, sociologists, and concerned citizens, all united by a common goal: the comprehensive integration of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for a brighter future.
Our team is uniquely positioned to design and deliver this solution, driven by a profound commitment to addressing the critical issue of sexual and reproductive health, rights, and gender-related education in Bolivia. While we respect the importance of academic and professional credentials, our strength lies in our personal connection to the communities we serve and our deep-rooted involvement in initiatives that promote social justice, equality, and educational equity.
The heart of our team is the Team Lead, an Indigenous Science Investigator from Bolivia. Her life story reflects the very challenges we aim to confront. As a first-generation student who belongs to the Aymara-African Bolivian culture, she has risen above systemic barriers and discrimination, hailing from the Los Andes Province. Her journey, as the first among 124 women spanning three generations in her family to pursue higher education, epitomizes the resilience and determination that characterizes these marginalized populations. Her background is not just a qualification but a testament to the proximity and authenticity of our team to the communities we serve.
To understand the needs of the communities we serve, we have established collaborative relationships with the Ministries of Education and Health in Bolivia. These government bodies hold a pivotal role in promoting an integral sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) curriculum within the educational system. By working in tandem with these institutions, our solution aligns seamlessly with the national agenda and policy framework, reflecting a sense of ownership, cultural sensitivity, and sustainability.
Furthermore, we are actively engaging with the youth population, providing them with a platform to express their concerns and aspirations. Their involvement is not a token gesture but a meaningful and active engagement that guides our design and implementation process.
The medical students on our team share our passion for improving sexual and reproductive health and rights education. They are actively involved in the project, bringing a diverse range of skills and perspectives. Together, we are united by our shared mission to empower indigenous and first-generation students through education and technology, making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.
In conclusion, our team's proximity, dedication, and personal connection to the communities we serve, as well as our robust engagement with government bodies and the youth population, position us effectively to design and deliver a solution that is guided by the communities' input, ideas, and agendas. We approach this challenge with a profound sense of responsibility and a commitment to meaningful, community-led change.
- Strengthen the capacity and engagement of young innovators in the development, implementation and growth of solutions addressing their SRHR needs.
- Pilot: An organization testing a product, service, or business model with a small number of users
SoGreen has been dedicated to supporting and ensuring the education of 180 girls, laying the foundation for a more sustainable future.
Ástráður, with 20 years of experience in providing critical support, extends its services to approximately four schools each month, both in-person and virtually. This extended reach ensures comprehensive sexual education to a broader audience.
As SELF-DISCOVER[ED], we have taken the first step in our journey, focusing on a pilot project spanning 10 schools. Each of these schools has an average of 30 students, benefiting from our holistic approach. We are committed to developing and expanding this initiative to reach a larger student population while ensuring its sustainability, thereby making a significant impact on Bolivian youth's lives.
SELF-DISCOVER[ED] introduces a groundbreaking approach to addressing two crucial issues in Bolivia: comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) education and climate change.
Our approach is distinctly innovative in several ways:
Integrating Established Models: We bring together the SoGreen Scientific Model, developed to measure the impact of girls' education on the environment, and the proven strategies of Ástráður in sexual health education. This integration provides a holistic approach to addressing SRHR and climate change simultaneously.
Local Leadership: SELF-DISCOVER[ED] is led by Bolivian Youth Adolescent Girls and medical students from prominent universities in Bolivia. Their deep understanding of Bolivia's unique SRHR context allows for tailored, culturally sensitive education programs.
Comprehensive Curriculum: The initiative aims to integrate the Ástráður Sexual Education Model into the national curriculum, combining in-person and tech-driven programs based on scientific and social research. This approach ensures that students receive up-to-date, evidence-based information.
Multi-Pronged Approach: SELF-DISCOVER[ED] empowers indigenous and first-generation students with SRHR education while facilitating access to medical professionals, offering in-person and virtual awareness campaigns, and supporting research and material development.
Sustainability Through Carbon Credits: A distinctive feature is the funding mechanism through international carbon credits purchased by corporations with decarbonization strategies. This approach ensures program sustainability and aligns with the growing carbon credit market.
Scaled Impact: The initiative plans to expand from 10 schools reaching 2,000 students to 100 schools benefiting 20,000 students over the next five years. It particularly focuses on underserved indigenous communities, effectively reducing teenage pregnancies, promoting gender equality, and advancing the futures of indigenous and first-generation students.
SELF-DISCOVER[ED] serves as a catalyst for positive change by addressing pressing issues through a multidisciplinary approach. It can have a transformative impact on the SRHR landscape in Bolivia and potentially serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges. Moreover, by quantifying the climate impact of girls' education and leveraging carbon credits, the initiative has the potential to influence the global market, encouraging more corporations to invest in decarbonization and education.
In summary, SELF-DISCOVER[ED] is a pioneering initiative that innovatively tackles SRHR education and climate change. It leverages the strengths of established models, local expertise, and a unique funding mechanism to make a lasting impact on the lives of indigenous and first-generation students in Bolivia while contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
Achieving Our Impact Goals:
Collaborate Actively: We will continue to collaborate closely with SoGreen and Ástráður, utilizing their expertise and proven models to ensure the success of our initiative.
Leverage Local Leadership: Our project is led by Bolivian Youth Adolescent Girls and medical students from prominent universities, leveraging their deep understanding of Bolivia's SRHR context.
Integrate Comprehensive Curriculum: We will integrate the Ástráður Sexual Education Model into the national curriculum, combining in-person and tech-driven programs based on scientific and social research.
Foster Sustainability: Our unique funding mechanism through international carbon credits purchased by corporations with decarbonization strategies ensures the sustainability of our program.
Expand Systematically: We will systematically expand to more schools, fostering inclusivity and accessibility, while also utilizing online platforms, directed studies, and research by multidisciplinary professionals and students to integrate SRHR topics into the Bolivian education system.
By achieving these impact goals, we aim to have a transformational impact on the lives of indigenous and first-generation students in Bolivia, reducing teenage pregnancies, promoting gender equality, and empowering marginalized communities through comprehensive SRHR education. Additionally, our efforts in climate action have the potential to influence the global market, encouraging more corporations to invest in education and decarbonization initiatives.
Our impact goals align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), and Gender Equality (SDG 5), ensuring healthy lives, quality education, and gender equality for all in Bolivia.
SELF-DISCOVER[ED] brings together two powerful initiatives to create a transformative impact on the lives of indigenous, rural, and first-generation students in Bolivia. This impact is achieved through a clear theory of change:
Collaboration with SoGreen: SoGreen, a climate tech startup, measures the environmental impact of enhancing girls' secondary education in low-income countries. By prioritizing the education of vulnerable girls in climate-affected regions, they quantify the benefits of education on climate action. Through collaboration with SoGreen, SELF-DISCOVER[ED] leverages this climate focus to emphasize the importance of girls' education, connecting educational and environmental outcomes.
Partnership with Ástráður: Ástráður, an Icelandic SHRH NGO, brings two decades of experience in providing vital sex education to secondary schools. Their expertise covers health, communication, and consent. By supporting the Ministry of Education to enhance school-based sex education, Ástráður plays a crucial role in ensuring that the knowledge imparted is accurate and comprehensive.
Integration of Models and Strategies: SELF-DISCOVER[ED] integrates the SoGreen Scientific Model and the strategies developed by medical students from the University of Iceland through Ástráður. This integration forms the basis for the comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) education program.
Empowering Students: The initiative empowers indigenous, rural, and first-generation students with comprehensive SRHR education. It provides access to medical professionals through anonymous online platforms, in-person visits, and virtual awareness campaigns. This multi-pronged approach ensures that students can make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
Supporting Research and Development: SELF-DISCOVER[ED] supports research by sociologists and medical students, aiding in the development of educational materials. This research-based approach ensures that the content is evidence-based and culturally sensitive.
Sustainable Funding Mechanism: The initiative utilizes international carbon credits purchased by corporations with decarbonization strategies. This unique funding mechanism ensures program sustainability while contributing to global climate action.
Scaling Impact: SELF-DISCOVER[ED] plans to start SRHR programs in 10 schools in the first year, reaching 2,000 indigenous and first-generation students. Over the next five years, it will expand to 100 schools, benefiting 20,000 students. The focus on underserved indigenous communities ensures that marginalized populations are included.
Integration into National Curriculum: The initiative aims to integrate SRHR topics into the Bolivian education system using online platforms, directed studies, and research by multidisciplinary professionals and students. This long-term change will ensure that SRHR education becomes a fundamental part of the national curriculum.
Through this approach, SELF-DISCOVER[ED] empowers marginalized communities, reduces teenage pregnancies, promotes gender equality, and advances the futures of indigenous and first-generation students in Bolivia. By connecting educational and environmental outcomes, it contributes to climate action and sustainable development, ultimately transforming the lives of those it serves.
- Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit
Magali Lucana Mamani, the CEO of SELF-DISCOVER[ED], is an erudite Indigenous Science Investigator from Los Andes Province, Bolivia.
The next Represetative Medical Students from the next Medical Schools:
Sarai Gemma Flores Humiri
(Leader of the Med-team Universidad Mayor de San Andrés)
Cristal Toledo
(Leader of the Med-team Universidad Pública de El Alto)
Isabel Daniela Laura
(Co-leader of the Med-team Universidad Mayor de San Andrés)
Marian Anaya
(Co-leader of the Med-team Universidad Mayor de San Andrés)
Ezequiel Acarapi
(Rep. of the Med-team Universidad Mayor de San Andrés)
Yamil Rolando Choque Tallacahua
(Leader of the Med-team Universidad Franz Tamayo)
Maribel Quenta
(Leader Social Communicator of Universidad Mayor de San Andrés)
Astradur has been working since 2000.
SoGreen has been working since 2021.
SELF-DISCOVER-[ED] has been working since the beginning of 2023.
Incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity is a fundamental aspect of our work at SELF-DISCOVER[ED]. We are committed to fostering a team and initiatives that reflect the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion:
1. Diverse Leadership Team: Our leadership team is diverse, comprising Bolivian Youth Adolescent Girls, medical students from the University Mayor de San Andrés, Private University Franz Tamayo, and the Public University of El Alto. This diversity ensures that our decision-making processes incorporate a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and expertise.
2. Representation of Indigenous, Rural, and First-Generation Communities**: Our team's composition includes individuals who come from and deeply understand the indigenous, rural, and first-generation communities in Bolivia. This representation is essential for designing and implementing programs that are culturally sensitive and relevant to the populations we aim to serve.
3. Commitment to Greater Diversity: We have clear goals for becoming more diverse, recognizing that our team's diversity is crucial for understanding and addressing the unique needs of marginalized communities. We are actively seeking individuals from various backgrounds who can contribute to our mission.
4. Equity and Accessibility: We are dedicated to ensuring equity in access to education and information. By providing SRHR education to indigenous and first-generation students, we address disparities that have historically hindered these groups' full participation in educational and health systems. Our commitment to providing free and anonymous access to medical professionals reflects our pursuit of equitable access to healthcare resources.
5. Inclusive Curriculum: In collaboration with Ástráður, we work to integrate a curriculum that respects and includes diverse perspectives. By incorporating the Ástráður Sexual Education Model, we aim to create an inclusive educational environment that respects students' identities and values.
6. Local Collaboration and Engagement: We actively engage with local communities and collaborate closely with medical professionals and students. This approach ensures that the voices of marginalized groups are heard and that our programs are tailored to their specific needs.
7. Continuous Improvement: We continuously assess and evaluate our programs and approach to ensure that they are inclusive and effective. We actively seek feedback from our target communities to identify and address any disparities or barriers they encounter.
In summary, diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just principles we uphold; they are woven into the fabric of our organization and initiatives. Our approach acknowledges the unique needs and experiences of marginalized communities in Bolivia and actively seeks to create an equitable and inclusive environment in which all members are welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. We are committed to ensuring that our work has a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.
Key Components of Our Business Model:
Partnerships for Environmental and Educational Impact:
Our business model is built on strategic partnerships, which are at the heart of our approach. We collaborate with two key types of partners:
SoGreen: Pioneering Climate Tech for Girls' Education
SoGreen, a forward-thinking climate tech startup, specializes in quantifying the environmental impact of enhancing girls' secondary education in low-income countries, particularly in climate-affected regions. This partnership is instrumental in highlighting the positive correlation between girls' education and climate action.
Local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs): Catalysts for Change
In addition to SoGreen, we engage with local CSOs that are actively involved in projects promoting girls' education. These organizations play a crucial role in generating carbon credits through innovative initiatives aimed at empowering girls through education.
Unlocking Financial Resources for Impact:
We leverage our partnerships with SoGreen and local CSOs to unlock financial resources for our initiatives:
Carbon Credit Revenue for Empowerment
The collaborative projects with local CSOs generate carbon credits, which are sold in the global carbon market. The revenue generated from these sales contributes to climate action and sustainable development. Importantly, this revenue becomes a valuable resource that we channel toward empowering girls through education.
Full Funding for SRHR Education and Training
The revenue from carbon credit sales fully funds our initiatives, including comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) education and training programs. This financial support allows us to provide students with access to vital information and resources, ensuring they are well-informed about their health and well-being.
Why It Matters:
Our business model not only emphasizes the importance of impactful collaboration but also demonstrates how we can bridge the gap between education and environmental sustainability. By generating revenue through the sale of carbon credits, we ensure the financial sustainability of our initiatives, making a lasting positive impact on the lives of indigenous, rural, and first-generation students in Bolivia. This approach contributes to a more sustainable and equitable world, aligning with our mission of transforming lives and promoting comprehensive education for all.
- Government (B2G)
1. Collaborative Projects with SoGreen and CSOs:
Our financial sustainability model hinges on collaborative projects with SoGreen and local CSOs that are experts in ensuring marginalized girls' access to education. These projects are designed to empower girls through education, including comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) education.
2. Carbon Credit Generation and Sales:
Through these collaborative projects, we apply SoGreen's pioneering methodology to quantify the positive environmental impact of enhancing girls' secondary education. This methodology allows us to generate carbon credits. These carbon credits are a valuable commodity in the global carbon market, where they can be sold to buyers looking to offset their carbon emissions.
3. Revenue to Fully Fund Projects:
The revenue generated from selling carbon credits will be used to fully fund our projects, covering all associated expenses, including SRHR education and training. This financial support ensures that we can provide students with access to essential information and resources, thereby empowering them to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
4. Global Demand for Carbon Credits:
The buyers of carbon credits are diverse and can be found all over the world. Many of these buyers are corporations with ambitious decarbonization strategies, focusing on mitigating emissions both within and beyond their value chain. This global demand for carbon credits is expected to grow significantly in the next five years.
According to McKinsey & Company, addressing climate change and limiting global warming to 1.5°C, in line with the Paris Agreement, will require an estimated two billion tonnes of carbon credits annually by 2030. Furthermore, Fitch ratings agency predicts that the demand for carbon offsets will surpass the supply before 2025. We plan to leverage this anticipated growth in the global carbon market to fund our girls' education projects.
By collaborating with SoGreen and local CSOs and harnessing the increasing demand for carbon credits in the global market, we ensure the financial sustainability of our initiatives. This approach not only empowers marginalized girls through education but also contributes to climate action and sustainable development. It's a win-win strategy that allows us to create lasting positive impacts.
Indigenous Science Investigator
Social Communicator