Education News

I need to say a few words about the ever-growing education program we are sponsoring for the Bishop of the Evangelical Methodist Church, Fernando Palomo, and the churches for which he cares. In addition to the Education Center we opened the beginning of 2011 in Los Guido, and its success this year, we are at the end of this 2011 opening two additional sites in Alajuela and in Palmares.

2011 is ending with 58 young to older adults studying all day every Saturday in Los Guido, with 32 taking exams the end of October. Others are still working on their legalization papers, and until those are finalized they cannot take such exams. Regardless, the education they are receiving is helping them to better educate themselves and the children in their households as well as providing the example to those children and to all the community that such education is important and necessary. Ideas and mindsets are being changed, and that is a miracle in and of itself.

Now at the end of November and beginning of December 2011, education will be provided in Alajuela and Palmares Methodist Churches, each open two nights per week. We expect between 100 and 200 students to participate in these two programs, based on those who have already signed up. Depending on their economic situation, some students are asked to pay a little for material and exam costs, which also helps cover the costs of their fellow peers who are less fortunate. We are providing the remainder, including salaries and travel expenses for the teachers, books, and other expenses when the students cannot afford them. Of course this is the case for the majority of Los Guido students, who cannot afford much if any to offset material and exam costs.

The overall cost for the 3 education centers, beginning the end of this year and carrying forth until October of 2012 (exams are held in April and October) is $19,058.82. In addition, we now have 7 students signed up for educational grants, ranging from elementary school to college students, and we expect as many as 15 total by January of 2012. We begin the scholarship program the 1^st of January to help with uniforms and supplies for the new school year, which kicks off the first week of February. To provide scholarships for all 15 students, it will cost approximately $750 per month or $8250 for an 11 month year, with our last scholarship payment to families falling at the beginning of November.

We absolutely need your help with this work. There is nothing more important than education if we really want to break the cycle of poverty. Do not believe for a second that a small donation does not help us in this work. Everything counts, and God will take your gift and multiply it. Believe it! We certainly do. Let us know if you want to partner with us. These folks are working hard to better their lives, they deserve it, and you and I are called by our Lord to help. I look forward to hearing from you…

Paz y bendiciones, Charlie