The key purpose of the Environmental Community English Program on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos Islands, which was established in 1996, was to involve our local children in an understanding of the importance of environmental awareness and to teach them about preserving the Galapagos Islands as a world natural heritage site, as at that time we faced problems such as over-fishing, killing sharks for their fins, and the dangers of introduced species such as cats and dogs. We started with the local fisherman's children to teach them about how unique and important the Galapagos Islands are and how they and their parents could help to protect the islands and their fauna and flora. Since then, we have taught children who have become biologists and professional tourist guides, and we have incorporated conservation ideas into our classes.

It is equally important to equip the local children with digital literacy skills for their futures. They are from low-income families who do not have laptops, computers or iPads at home and the work in the Centre gives them the opportunity to develop their knowledge of computing and technology.

iPads are also environmentally friendly, since they cut down on the need for paper worksheets in the classroom. The children are also exposed to modern methods of teaching, by using songs and videos in the classroom that focus on learning, and the importance of sustainability and environmentally friendly ways to protect their heritage in the Galapagos Islands, for example by showing them the dangers of plastic and other types of garbage to the fauna living on land and in the ocean. The iPads are not given to the children to take home, and can be used by multiple children in the various classes they are enrolled in. They only use them in class.

Thanks to Helen Barnett, one of our very active volunteers and her recent community fundraising, we have purchased 4 iPads. They are already having a really positive effect on the children's learning, as they help facilitate their knowledge of environmental and conservation problems and solutions, increase student engagement, and foster a more democratic, inclusive atmosphere in the classroom.

More than 70 children participate all year round in our important environmental awareness programmes. This is the only sustainable teaching program continuously available for the local children on San Cristobal Island. The ambition is to have digital devices for them all to use in the classroom to improve their education, and the aim of this fundraising page is to continue to raise the money needed to purchase more digital equipment to benefit the children's English Environmental education.

Thank you for taking the time to visit this page and support the much-needed improvement of digital literacy for the local children on San Cristobal Island. If you would like more information, please email: williampuga1@gmail.com or helenbarnett4@gmail.com