Over 320 kilometres away from Asunción, in the small town of Hernandarias, a group of high school students has taken it upon themselves to make a difference. The students are training primary school children from under-resourced schools for the country’s most important mathematics competition, OMAPA. For almost two years, the IQuation team has been working on a project that finally came true in 2026. These students have begun teaching Year 3 and Year 4 students to think outside the box and to believe in their ability to succeed.
The project began in 2024, when students Dulce Duro Benítez (16) and Mateo Flores Villalba (16), who are currently attending Colegio Bertoni, connected over their shared experience of having attended public schools in Paraguay.
“We did not receive personalised attention or have access to the materials we have now. We were once in these children’s shoes. Now we want to give them what we did not have growing up,” Dulce explained in an interview with The Asunción Times about the project.
Maths as an opportunity for change
To select the students the team would work with, the IQuation members designed and administered an OMAPA-style test to 218 Year 3 and Year 4 students. The team selected the 15 highest-scoring students. Then, spoke with their families to see whether they would be willing to participate in the initiative. All 15 families were enthusiastic and supportive, with hope and excitement evident throughout the IQuation community.
One family that stood out was that of Micaela Aquino Martínez.
“Micaela’s test was the first perfect score we encountered while marking. A Year 3 pupil answering every question correctly on a Year 4 and Year 5 test that was mistakenly given to her. We were completely blown away!” said team mentor Ada Rolón González during the interview. Micaela was raised by her grandparents, who, like many from older and lower-income generations in Paraguay, are illiterate. Her mother spends most of her time caring for Micaela’s younger brother, who is chronically ill. These circumstances meant that Micaela’s extraordinary talent remained hidden, buried beneath the lack of resources.
Another participant is Thiago Alexander. “I told him that he was selected, and he got very excited. He was so happy. I am very proud of who he is,” said his mother. Families are placing immense hope, dedication, and trust in their children. These sessions are not merely maths lessons. The classes represent opportunities for change, growth, and a chance to flourish in life.
The first class
The IQuation team held their first class on 8 January 2026 at their high school, Colegio Bertoni. All transport and food expenses were covered by the team themselves, demonstrating their deep commitment to the project. The class was led by Dulce and Mateo, who introduced students to OMAPA-style problem-solving, a methodology focused not solely on calculations, but on creative and analytical thinking.
The team had previously received brief training from Osmar Quiñónez, founder of Piensa, a unique case-based educational centre that equips students with real-world problem-solving tools.
In a heart-to-heart conversation, Mateo stated, “What made it all worth it was seeing the excitement on the children’s faces. Unlike previous projects, these students were genuinely invested. After two years of IQuation being on hold, finally holding our first class was an incredibly emotional moment for the entire team,” he said.
Meet the IQuation team
Mateo Flores Villalba is a multiple-time OMAPA gold medallist. As well as a medallist in the Paraguayan Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Astronautics Olympiads (OPAAA).
“During my mother’s job interview at Colegio Bertoni, I had the chance to speak with Paulo, one of the school’s co-founders. That conversation led to him offering me a full scholarship because of the potential he saw in me. Turning these ideas into reality is a huge achievement for us,” Mateo shared.
Dulce Duro Benítez, also a student at Colegio Bertoni, was introduced to OMAPA in 2022 while still attending a public school.
“Principal Ada noticed my high scores and encouraged me to visit the school. I was later offered a full scholarship. Since joining Colegio Bertoni, I have had more motivation and access to resources to pursue my passion projects,” said Dulce. Her determination has earned her the Kuña Olímpica award twice, along with multiple medals in OMAPA.
The team also includes Amanda Martínez Bresanovich, Aruá Colmán Segovia, and Jonathan Bermúdez Ramos, all students at Colegio Bertoni. The members joined during the summer of 2024–2025, when the project’s beta phase stalled due to a lack of members. With this revitalised team, IQuation gained momentum and began reaching its full potential. School principals Ada Rolón González and Paulo André Norberto serve as mentors and support pillars.
The future of IQuation
The ambitions of these students extend far beyond the first day of class. The IQuation team is currently seeking sponsors to continue offering lessons, with plans to run classes until September 2026. Their goal includes hosting two 90-minute sessions per week and guiding their students towards winning 15 OMAPA gold medals. The team hopes that similar initiatives will emerge across the country, potentially becoming part of a national, ministerial-level educational protocol.
A documentary on the project is also underway. IQuation and Colegio Bertoni are collaborating with Paraguayan filmmaker and Fulbright scholar Maya Riquelme, who has previously worked on Netflix’s first Brazilian–Paraguayan series, Criminal Code starring Paraguayan actress Andy Romero (DNA do Crime), among other projects.
Although most of the team will graduate this year, the members are committed to preserving IQuation’s legacy by continuing the programme and mentoring young minds.
“In the face of need, we ourselves will become teachers,” the team states.
To learn more about the project, follow IQuation Instagram page or contact the team at +595 981 261041.
