Israel Telón

Project:  School Kitchen and Education for Improved Community Nutrition

Quote: “I am very encouraged because, for a long time, I have been thinking about education projects that I want to carry out in my community. Now, with the strategies and training that ConnectED has given us, I am very excited because I can complete them.”

Favorite Book: La hija del Puma by Monica Zak

Favorite Activity: Working out / lifting weights

About: Israel is a specialist in electronics and digital devices and currently works as a farmer. Israel is interested in the connection between locally grown fresh food and nutrition and is concerned that many youths in his community choose expensive processed and imported food over locally produced fruits and vegetables. He has seen first-hand how unbalanced diets not only lead to disease and severe levels of malnutrition but also hinder children’s development and academic growth. Israel is committed to improving nutrition in his community and joined ConnectED to implement a project that provides students from the Parajbey Community School with healthy meals at school.  

Israel reports that being a Fellow at ConnectED has positively changed his life. Israel had always been told he was a natural leader, one who is thoughtful and guides others to improve the community. However, it wasn’t until his community project with ConnectED that he was able to hold an official title; today, Israel is the elected leader of his community. Israel looks forward to pursuing future projects in his community as he can feel the positivity and support coming from the people. For Israel, it is a powerful and emotional experience to be able to give back to his community. 

“I want to make sure children get an education so they can be prepared for the future. We must prepare children for life! My biggest dream is that every child has access to education and good nutrition.”

Problem: Due to unbalanced diets, students in Israel’s community are severely malnourished. This issue is directly impacting student’s education as children are constantly sick and their development is significantly hindered. 

Solution: Israel constructed a school kitchen and implemented workshops for mothers and students on how to cultivate vegetables in their own gardens and how to use locally grown food to make nutritious meals. Today, students receive nutritious meals at school and health education classes positively impacting their ability to focus and learn. Since becoming a ConnectED Fellow, and being elected as one of the elected community leaders, Israel has taken on other community projects including providing a water tank to improve access to safe, clean water for all inhabitants and the school.