La Misión Luterana Sudamericana de Noruega: Proyecto educativo en las comunidades kichwas cañaris (1968-1995)

Abstract

In 1966, the Assembly of the Norwegian SANTAL Mission authorized the beginning of evangelistic work in South America, starting with Ecuador. This gave rise to the South American Lutheran Mission of Norway (MLSN), which by the late 1960s had established itself in the province of Cañar, specifically in the Kichwa Cañari communities of El Tambo and Juncal. Its purpose was to establish a church and address basic needs in health, agriculture, communication (through radio), education, and local organization, within territories that had been historically excluded. This study focuses on the impact of that mission in the educational field, particularly the creation of institutions and the tensions that arose from introducing a new religious worldview. The research follows a qualitative methodology based on document analysis and semi-structured interviews with individuals involved in evangelization, the Alfalit literacy program, the Luz del Mundo Boarding School, and the Mushuk Kawsay Educational Unit. These sources help to understand how these initiatives were implemented and how spirituality became integrated into educational processes. The analysis is approached from historical, pedagogical, and social perspectives, considering the interaction between the mission and the local community. This study seeks to document a little-explored experience in the province of Cañar, specifically regarding the role of Lutheran Protestantism in indigenous education. Ultimately, it aims to provide new insights into the relationship between school and the Kichwa Cañari community from 1968 to 1995.