English and a chance to live past 35

Coming to the end of Unit 1 for both 5th and 6th grade English classes, we asked the kids why they want to learn English.  Each one wrote down a couple sentences describing their personal motivation.

“I want to learn English because, maybe, when I’m big I can go to another country where they speak English, I can talk to them and understand them. And maybe even teach it to other people.”
-Kimberly, 6th grade

“This is the way to find better jobs.”
-Eliezer, 6th grade

“I want to be a doctor- this is why it is important to learn English.”
-Escarleth, 5th grade

“So that I can go to highschool and learn even more.”
-Jubelka, 5th grade

“So that I can work in an office.”
-Kelvin, 5th grade

The responses, all given by 5th and 6th graders, were very much work and education themed.  The students of El Soccoro school in rural Nicaragua, although young, are looking to find a life better than those they observe around them.  This summer LIF will partner up with the local government-sponsored trade school to provide our alumni with highschool-level English certificates upon completion of their courses.  La Isla Foundation plans to build the English program with each year, giving a growing number of students the opportunity to continue education and obtain jobs outside of the cane fields.

Our 6th grade class of 12 and 13 year olds celebrate a good-bye party for one of their volunteer English teachers as well as the end of unit 1.  The basics finally under their belt, the class is excited to continue building their knowledge of the English language and discover the opportunities it brings.

We want to thank you for being a part of their education. For investing in their future and helping nurture their desire for knowledge. As our students know, education leads to opportunities, in turn offering a chance out of the cycle of the CKDu epidemic. Thank you for supporting La Isla Foundation and supporting the children of Guancastal Sur. Please consider sharing this project or supporting our other projects.

Links:

• LIF was recently featured in WBEZ's WorldView

Thank you for your support, together we raised $6,065 that we are using to expand our English program in La Isla and surrounding communities, including helping Ismara continue her English education. We enjoy watching her learn more every week and helping her build the skills she needs for a future.

Education is a main part of our mission for a couple of reasons. We want to give as many kids as possible alternative opportunities to working in the cane fields. LIF believes that everyone should have a healthy job and not have to worry about getting chronically sick before 30. We also want encourage them to dream and strive for personally and professional goals they’ve set themselves.

Delania is a 13 year old girl already taken out of school to help her mother care for her sick sons.  She has lost her father and 3 grandparents to the epidemic of Chronic Kidney Disease and now is watching her brothers also fall to the illness.  Without education or opportunities for work, she will follow in her mother’s footsteps as nurse to sick and dying loved ones.  Delania is an extremely bright girl always asking for opportunities to learn.  With the funds raised, we will be able to launch an Advanced English Education program and include Delania in language development and job placement so she will be able to break the cycle of poverty and sickness for the next generation of her family.

To support Delania in her fight against a cycle of poverty and death, you can donate to our project or sign up for a recurring donation. Donating to this project will help youth in this community find alternative jobs from the agricultural work causing the CKDu Epidemic in this community.

Sign up for a recurring donation here: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/english-life/?show=recurring

Thank you for your support! We couldn’t do this without you!