More than 40 students from the commune received support to continue their studies, within the framework of Latin America Power's Me Sumo program, which this year incorporated the creation of an Environmental Committee of Principals to strengthen ecological management in schools.
With a ceremony at the facilities of the Adenauer School, 46 elementary, middle and high school students received educational scholarships assigned by the Scholarship Program of the renewable energy generator, Latin America Power (LAP).
The beneficiaries belong to nine local establishments – including Escuela Cumcumyaque, Caren, Volcán Llaima, Liceo Los Andes, Adenauer, Escuela 10 de Llaima, San Gabriel, Escuela Molulco and Fundo Molulco – whose representatives participated in the activity along with community authorities, directors, parents and students.
Since its first version in 2014, LAP's scholarship program has benefited more than 400 students from Melipeuco, through a benefit that has as its main objective to promote education in the area. Last year, the initiative incorporated an environmental pillar, prioritizing students from establishments that actively participate in the Me Sumo program, which brings together more than 80% of the school enrollment in the commune.
In this context, the general manager of LAP, Esteban Moraga said: "What we have experienced together with the community of Melipeuco with our Me Sumo program is an example of how education and the environment can be integrated to build the future. Last year we took an important step by incorporating an environmental pillar into our scholarships, strengthening the link between academic training and ecological awareness. It fills us with pride to see how these scholarships not only support the studies of children and young people but also inspire the entire commune to grow with a sustainable outlook, in which we want to continue to be an active part."
Environmental Committee of Directors - Proyecto Me Sumo
On the other hand, the new Environmental Committee of Directors "Me Sumo" was also presented, an instance created to strengthen the governance of the program and enhance the participation of the directors of each establishment in coordination with the project's environmental monitors.
In this regard, LAP's Sustainability Manager, José Salgado, highlighted the importance of this new committee, assuring: "The formation of this committee marks a milestone in strengthening our commitment to environmental education. Not only does it consolidate the governance structure of the program, but it also promotes a more active role for principals, who have been key players in the implementation of environmental initiatives within their school communities," he said.
Mentes en Verde 2025
Likewise, an international milestone was also highlighted at the ceremony, after the Me Sumo program was recognized as a finalist in the "Minds in Green 2025" call, organized by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The competition received more than 270 proposals from 18 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, of which only 7 projects reached the category of finalists. In this select group is Me Sumo, representing Chile and the commune of Melipeuco as a regional benchmark in environmental education and green citizenship.
In this regard, LAP's Sustainability Manager added that, "this recognition not only validates the impact of the program at the local level but also positions Melipeuco on an international stage of reference, along with large-scale initiatives that are transforming education and sustainability throughout the region."
The meeting, which was attended by the head of the Department of Municipal Education Administration, Montserrat González, the head of the Environment and Climate Change Unit, Fabián Oñate, concluded with the presentation of the dance group of the Llaima Volcano school and a culinary sample delivered by the hotel career of the Adenauer School.
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