English and a chance to live past 35

Five months into the 2013 English Program and LIF is expanding its reach.  After two successful units of English class to over 50 kids in 5^th and 6^th grade, this last month launched the start of the adult English tutoring program.  Twice a week after the primary school breaks for the day, young adults gather in the schoolhouse with a La Isla Foundation teacher and start basic English tutoring, all aiming to increase English skills and self-confidence in education enough to apply for English classes at the local trade school in February.  These classes will be co-sponsored by LIF and the trade school, allowing for the relationships LIF has with the rural communities to combine with the trade school’s experience in teaching and nationally renowned certifications.  As the years go on, the Kids English classes will feed into the adult English classes, creating a group of LIF graduates truly ready to enter formal education and gain certification in a skill that will help them attain jobs away from the deadly cane fields.

On behalf of La Isla Foundation, the local trade school here in Chichigalpa, 50 young students and a growing number of adult students, I thank all of you who have donated over the last couple months.  This program would not be so successful if it wasn’t for your help.  Becuase of the generous donations recieved for English classes, the alternative education program designed to keep youth out of the field and therefor safe from the disease riddling the agriculutural workers in their region is growing strongly every day.

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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