LUIS HEREDIA
PERU, 19
He/Him
Project: Edulimitless
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Luis witnessed low-income students struggling to adapt to virtual learning due to lesson formats and lack of access to technology. This wasn’t the first time Luis noticed Peru’s education failing to meet the needs of its students. For years, he had observed that the curricula did not adequately prepare students to work in modern society, on a personal, academic and professional level. In October 2020, Luis founded Edulimitless to promote the agency and competitiveness of students in the job market. They offer programs and workshops to Latin American high school students that equip them with 21st century skills, such as advanced cognitive, socio-emotional, leadership and digital skills, using project-based learning. Luis recognizes students’ academic needs are dynamic, so he constantly adapts Edulimitless programs. Their most recent addition is a 3-month Digital English for Change program, which combines English-learning and technological skills. As does all of their curricula, Digital English for Change uses experiential learning and applies skills to current global issues and real life settings. Since 2020, Edulimitless has worked with ~250 students in Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia and Honduras. Looking ahead, Luis plans to partner with schools across Latin America to launch programs that help students develop their own social impact projects. One day, he hopes to establish an international high school in Peru for underprivileged students to pursue social entrepreneurship. For the time being, he is inspired every day by working with high schoolers eager to change society, push their boundaries and dream big.