Amigos de Santa Cruz supports the communities of Santa Cruz la Laguna, located on Lake Atitlan. Executive Director Jessie Cohen and a dedicated staff comprised almost entirely of local women and men operate education and youth programs to equip future leaders with the tools they need to improve their own communities. When Amigos was founded in 1998, only six students graduated from primary school, and few even dared to dream of attending high school or university. Now, 90 students who received scholarship support from Amigos have graduated from high school, and this year 16 students went on to universities, with CCI scholarship support. Scholarship recipients must pass all of their classes each semester and maintain a minimum grade point average. In addition, they give back to their community by mentoring high school students to help their younger peers succeed, and by completing a community service project each year.
WITH YOUR HELP
PAULINA GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND ENROLLED
IN UNIVERSITY
"I thank CCI for the opportunity that you have given me, to be able to study at university. For me it is a dream to be able to study and be someone, both personally and professionally. My dream is transforming every day, by acquiring new skills and knowledge in life. I am studying Business Administration with an English focus. In 2018 I entered University for the first time. My dream is to be a businesswoman and develop businesses to help Santa Cruz by generating employment for my people."
Our operating costs are covered and we take no salaries, so all your money goes to the programs.