AMIGOS DE SANTA CRUZ, GUATEMALA
HIGHER EDUCATION IN GUATEMALA GIVES YOUNG WOMEN MORE OPPORTUNITY AND CHOICE
Amigos de Santa Cruz supports the communities of Santa Cruz la Laguna, located on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Executive Director Jessie Cohen and a dedicated staff comprised almost entirely of local women and men operate educational and technical training programs to equip future leaders with the tools they need to improve their own communities. When Amigos was founded in 1998, typically only six students graduated from primary school, and few even dared to dream of attending high school or university. This year, 57 students receive scholarship support from Amigos, including 15 in middle school and 23 in high school. Nineteen students now attend university, many with CCI support. And 65% of Amigos-supported students are female! University scholarship recipientas must pass all of their classes each semester and maintain their grade point average. In addition, they give back to their communities by mentoring high school students to help their younger peers succeed, and by completing a community service program each year.
This year Amigos opened a new elementary school in Santa Cruz where children ca reach their fullest potential. The tri-lingual school (Spanish, Kachiquel and English) offers a quality education based on critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration and confidence in each student.
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."
SEND A YOUNG WOMAN
TO UNIVERSITY
100%
OF YOUR MONEY EDUCATES CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY GIRLS
Our operating costs are covered and we take no salaries, so all your money goes to the programs.