Pura
Vida is arranging scholarships for children in rural
Guatemala desiring to continue their education but
are unable to for financial reasons. We are currently
sponsoring children in all grades of elementary,
middle, and high school. Schooling is just not affordable
for most rural village residents. There are some
really bright kids who just won't have the chance
to go to school.
Guatemala
provides free public education through sixth grade.
But in rural areas such as Lemoa, children average
less than two years in school; parents would rather
have their children work in the fields or in the
home. Girls especially are not encouraged to go
to school. Also compounding the issue is the fact
that most children in rural areas converse primarily
in their indigenous language, and Spanish only in
school. All of these factors have has contributed
to a literacy rate of much less than 50% among the
indigenous population.
Pastor
Jeronimo Mateo with new Chontala scholarship recipients
Our
Strategy
Pura
Vida has been offering scholarships in Guatemala
since 2002. We have been working closely with parents
to help them understand the long-term benefits of
keeping children in school longer. These benefits
are already becoming apparent -- children from the
first few years of the program have undergone huge
changes in maturity and ability. There is much promise
in this program!
The
cost of sending a child to school is $37.50/month
($450 annually / $225 biannually). That covers
tuition, supplies, uniforms, bus fare, and tutoring
for one child. Tutoring is provided to students
that need it since their parents generally have
not attended school at that level. If you would
like to sponsor the education of one of these
students, either by yourself or as part of a group,
please contact us for
more information. Children are selected in early
November each year for the program.
Kim
