Give the Gift of Education to Children in Poverty
Children from poverty-stricken families are required to have school supplies, and special uniforms and shoes in order to attend public school in Costa Rica. Education in Costa Rica is optional after sixth grade, and many families cannot afford the higher cost of a high school education without financial assistance.
This CAA volunteer-run scholarship project has been operating since 2013 and the number of students and scope of our support has increased over 300% in those years.
In 2022, the youngest students from the original 2013 class of students are graduating high school. In total, 20 students will have graduated by December 2022, and two university scholarship program interns have earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Work.
Seven of the nine 2022 graduating students are shown in the photo above, and almost all are applying for university admission. We are hoping that all be rewarded.
Challenge:
Approximately 12% of Costa Rican families live in poverty or extreme poverty. In San Ramon, the majority of these are parented by single mothers or guardians. Survey results indicate that 20% of these households have children aged 7-10 who are not in school. Many of these families are non-documented Nicaraguan or Central American immigrants not eligible for government assistance to buy the school supplies, uniforms, and shoes necessary for their children to take advantage of the free public education system. However, poverty isn’t limited to non-citizens. Over half of our scholarship students are Costa Rican citizens who also live at or near poverty levels, as Covid pandemic economic disruptions have destabilized many low-income families. When money is tight, putting food on the table is primary, and a child’s continuing education is often sacrificed.
This CAA volunteer-run scholarship project has been operating since 2013 and the number of students and scope of our support has increased over 300% in those years.
In 2022, the youngest students from the original 2013 class of students are graduating high school. In total, 20 students will have graduated by December 2022, and two university scholarship program interns have earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Work.
Seven of the nine 2022 graduating students are shown in the photo above, and almost all are applying for university admission. We are hoping that all be rewarded.
Challenge:
Approximately 12% of Costa Rican families live in poverty or extreme poverty. In San Ramon, the majority of these are parented by single mothers or guardians. Survey results indicate that 20% of these households have children aged 7-10 who are not in school. Many of these families are non-documented Nicaraguan or Central American immigrants not eligible for government assistance to buy the school supplies, uniforms, and shoes necessary for their children to take advantage of the free public education system. However, poverty isn’t limited to non-citizens. Over half of our scholarship students are Costa Rican citizens who also live at or near poverty levels, as Covid pandemic economic disruptions have destabilized many low-income families. When money is tight, putting food on the table is primary, and a child’s continuing education is often sacrificed.
Solution:
Our current goal is to provide scholarship support for 25 to 30 public high school students until graduation, and to support one university social worker student serving as an administrative program intern.
This program provides school supplies, uniforms, and shoes for these financially needy and academically motivated children in San Ramon. Assistance is provided through vouchers (not cash) redeemable for approved school supplies and uniforms at partnering retail stores that offer discounted pricing. Satisfactory academic scores, attendance, and teachers’ nominations are necessary for multi-year eligibility.
Our goal is to help these students complete high school, and for those academically eligible, to help them apply for university or technical school, and financial aid. We also provide, as necessary, psychological counseling, specialized medical, eye exams/glasses, and food assistance. The students and their families are supported by social workers and mentored by CAA volunteers.
Long-Term Impact:
Education offers an opportunity for children to escape a lifetime of poverty, drugs, gang violence, and crime. It is important to provide continuing annual assistance until the students can graduate high school, go to work, and begin to break the cycle of poverty within their families. For some, the path forward will also include university or technical training which will only enhance future employment opportunities.
How Can You Help Make a Difference? You can help locally by donating your time (mentoring or tutoring). You can also donate to CAA’s Educational Scholarship Program locally, or online through our U.S. 501 c (3) non-profit partners.
With your help, we can continue to raise the $16,000-$18,000 needed annually to keep these students on the path to graduate high school, and to work toward a brighter future. An investment in a child’s education is a lifetime gift. Please join us as we work to change the lives of these students and their families through education, one student at a time!
Our current goal is to provide scholarship support for 25 to 30 public high school students until graduation, and to support one university social worker student serving as an administrative program intern.
This program provides school supplies, uniforms, and shoes for these financially needy and academically motivated children in San Ramon. Assistance is provided through vouchers (not cash) redeemable for approved school supplies and uniforms at partnering retail stores that offer discounted pricing. Satisfactory academic scores, attendance, and teachers’ nominations are necessary for multi-year eligibility.
Our goal is to help these students complete high school, and for those academically eligible, to help them apply for university or technical school, and financial aid. We also provide, as necessary, psychological counseling, specialized medical, eye exams/glasses, and food assistance. The students and their families are supported by social workers and mentored by CAA volunteers.
Long-Term Impact:
Education offers an opportunity for children to escape a lifetime of poverty, drugs, gang violence, and crime. It is important to provide continuing annual assistance until the students can graduate high school, go to work, and begin to break the cycle of poverty within their families. For some, the path forward will also include university or technical training which will only enhance future employment opportunities.
How Can You Help Make a Difference? You can help locally by donating your time (mentoring or tutoring). You can also donate to CAA’s Educational Scholarship Program locally, or online through our U.S. 501 c (3) non-profit partners.
- Education Equals Hope, Inc.: Educational Site - Costa Rica, CAA Educational Scholarship program at: https://www.educationequalshope.org/costa-rica-community-action-alliance-educational-sites.html
- Global Giving’s “Give the Gift of Education to Children in Poverty” project at:
- Locally in San Ramón, or Costa Rica cash or bank transfer donations:
- Direct deposit or bank transfer can be made directly to CAA’s Educational Scholarship Program account at Coopenae RL (credit union).
- Asociacion Community Action Alliance (Asociacion Alianza de Accion Comunitaria)
- IBAN account/cuenta CR26081400011010931577
- CAA persona juridica/legal identify #: 3-002-661454
- If you donate directly into CAA’s account, please send an email to the address below to identify the donor’s name, and amount of the donation, so that we can match the deposit to the donor and properly acknowledge the donation.
- Direct deposit or bank transfer can be made directly to CAA’s Educational Scholarship Program account at Coopenae RL (credit union).
- Other donation options can be arranged by contacting a member of CAA’s education committee at: [email protected]; or CR cell #506-8729-5513.
With your help, we can continue to raise the $16,000-$18,000 needed annually to keep these students on the path to graduate high school, and to work toward a brighter future. An investment in a child’s education is a lifetime gift. Please join us as we work to change the lives of these students and their families through education, one student at a time!