Your support allows motivated students from socio economically vulnerable areas of Costa Rica take part in a once in a lifetime opportunity in Beijing, China. By helping these 7 low-income, brilliant high school students you are contributing to their leadership and skills development. The youth have been invited to a mandarin language and cultural summer camp with people from all over the world. The scholarship covers the cost of the camp, but they need support for the airfare and other costs.
The students are excited to participate in the immersion summer camp, yet money is pressing concern as their families struggle to make ends meet every month. The youth have shown great potential in Mandarin language classes over the past 2 years. In Costa Rica, youth from higher-income families have opportunities to travel, experience other cultures and learn a second language, but youth from socially vulnerable areas usually do not have possibililties to travel, further exacerbating inequality.
The students' communities face high poverty, unemployment and violence rates. Supporting this group of youth to participate in an international exchange will help develop their skills as leaders and their language skills which will increase their employability. Further, this experience will expand their vision of the world and help them develop insights they will be able to contribute to their high schools and communities.
Programs such as learning Mandarin can serve as an incubator of leaders. Participating in this summer camp will allow the group to grow their abilities and become more well-rounded youth. They will come back with greater understanding of the world, respect of other cultures and tolerance of differences, something that is especially important in an increasingly polarized world. They will be an example of perseverance for youth to pursue goals and become better Costa Ricans and global citizens.
