This year we have a new
challenge. The children who have grown up in the project are now ready to
continue their education, but have no resources to pay for tuition and books.
Our dream has always been
to have a formal school for the children of our community however, the costs are
prohibitive at this time. Our plan for now is to send our children off
mountain to schools already established. This can be done for a fraction
of the cost.
Over the last seven
years, we have gained the confidence of our people. They are finally
convinced further education is the answer for their children. Until we
arrived, most dropped out by fourth grade, not finishing the six grades offered
in our village.
The reason we are sharing
this need --- perhaps you know a group of believers who are not a part of our
ministry as yet and would like to help. We are not excluding our current
partners, but it's important we don't use any of our current preschool funds
which provide salaries for the parents and food for the entire project.
When we first came one of
our goals was to teach better hygiene. We found if we gave them ample water-
they would use it. Another goal was help further their education. We are partly
meeting that goal with our current preschool /after school program. Now
that the parents are willing to sacrifice their children's help in the fields,
they need your help. Help us break the continuous "cycle of survival"
passed on from past generations.
Scholarship money is needed immediately
to further the education of 8 students
from our project.
Bety, who worked as a teacher for us for
three years starts 10th grade on Saturdays.
Dalila, who has been a teacher aide for 2 years has just
completed a nurse aide course and is enrolled in 9th grade on Saturdays, she
hopes to start a one year practical nurse course weekday too.
Blanca, Silvia, Loida, and Maricela (in project for 6 years) are going to 7th
grade in Itzapa during the week. They still attend the project on vacation days
from their school. Juan Carlos and Cruz want to continue their schooling
on Saturdays.
The cost of continued education:
♥ Total sign up fee for all 8 students (including books) for one year is $135.00.
♥ Total monthly tuition for all 8 students is $125/month for next 10 months.
♥ There
will also be times we will have to provide transportation and other emergency
needs. $???.
We have encouraged everyone in the project to "dream big". This is just the
first step.
On the lighter side
Sarah is growing and learning at a rapid pace. She understands both Spanish and
English, but at this point is saying only English words. She keeps occupied
learning shapes, animals, and colors. She loves Christian DVDs, especially
worship music. Her favorite thing-Go in the car to Antigua or the capital and
"shop, shop, shop!" Guess she is in training to be a woman all ready. She
is touching many lives as we do our routine shopping. When she stays home with
Daddy everyone asks, "Where is Sarah?"
We are just completing a small soccer field.
This opens a new opportunity to reach the youth of our village.
It's great seeing the small children playing in
the new sand box in our play area. In all honesty, the mother's who are teacher
aides enjoy it as much as the children. They never had time to play when they
were small.
In His love,
Bernard, Trish, and Sarah