Give the Gift of Education to Children in Poverty

On July 13th The Education Committee of CAA had its Beca (Scholarship) Awards Ceremony in the meeting room of Coopenae, San Ramon, Costa Rica.    Nineteen students were given vouchers which are  redeemable in various stores in San Ramon such as El Mercadito and Tienda Jonathan where they can buy school supplies, uniforms and shoes for the school year.  These vouchers are funded by donations from CAA members and other supporters who contribute to help some of the approximately 23% of Costa Rican children living in poverty.  Many struggling, disadvantaged families would not be able to keep their children in school without this help.  This volunteer-run program annually supports 24 - 30 area high school students as well as providing a stipend  for a university Tico social worker who mentors and assists  these Beca students.   Our program also provides eye exams/glasses, food assistance, mental health counseling, computers and tutoring  for these financially disadvantaged, but motivated high school students.  Satisfactory grades and attendance are required for current year and multi-year eligibility.  Completing high school opens doors for future vocational and university studies, and provides a path out of poverty.  We expect to have 36 high school graduates (some of these students have been in the program since 5th or 6th grade), at least 10 university entries and 3 bachelor’s degrees earned through the end of 2024.   CAA is very proud of our students’ achievements and through your generous donations, we hope to continue supporting this very worthwhile, educational  program.  

                                                  An Honor Student and An Artist

     Magdelena, one of the students in the Community Action Alliance’s Scholarship program, is a 6th grader who has been on the honor roll at her elementary school since 1st grade.  It has not been an easy accomplishment, but she has persevered despite her mother’s stomach cancer and father’s struggle to find work, and she has been successful with the help of her extended family and her own work ethic and belief in always “ doing your best”.  Not only has she excelled academically, but she was recently awarded 3rd place in the entire country of Costa Rica for her painting of “What Costa Rica Means to Me”.  Students in the entire country competed in this contest and the 1st and 2nd places went to much older, experienced students, so this was quite special.  She is becoming bilingual in English and  Spanish  with the help of some of our Education Committee’s English tutors and since I am one of these tutors, I can truly say that she is a joy to teach! 

It is through the generosity of donors to GlobalGiving  that we are able to provide necessary school supplies such as uniforms and books (and even painting supplies occasionally)  for students like  Magdelena,  and we are very  proud to celebrate her accomplishments!