Help vulnerable Argentine students finish college

Dear Supporters  

As the proud Director of Fundación Integrar, I am happy to share an overview of everything that has happened during the first quarter of the academic year. 

A Promising Start

In March 2024, we welcomed 110 students to our program: 62 returning scholars who renewed their scholarships due to their outstanding performance last year and 48 new students selected from nearly a thousand applications. 81% of our new students are women, a slightly higher percentage than usual. Regarding academic interests, 25% chose Business Administration or Economics, while nearly 20% opted for Law.  Health, Design, and Education each attracted 14%, and three students are pursuing careers in Data Science, Biotechnology, and Computer Engineering.

Impact Amidst Challenges

At the end of last year, the NGO Argentinos x la Educación published a report on educational inequality, revealing that only 2 out of 10 Argentinians from the lowest income decile enter university and a mere 2.4% graduate. This context underscores the importance of our work. Fundación Integrar has almost 200 graduates, all first-generation university students and they all have successfully entered the formal workforce.

Argentina is currently facing a severe economic crisis, with a sharp increase in poverty levels. We assume this has directly correlated with the surge in applications from university students struggling to continue their studies due to financial difficulties. For the first time in nearly 20 years, most of our applications came from students already in university. We allocated 65% of our available spots to these cases, including three medical students.

Celebrating Achievements

Four students graduated this first quarter: two are now Physical Education Teachers, and one is a graduate in Communications. The fourth completed a Bachelor's degree in Physics in record time and has begun a doctorate at CONICET (National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina). This marks our second Integrar graduate to start a doctorate, a testament to the program's success.

Empowering Our Students

As many of our scholars are the first in their families to complete high school, we hosted a workshop for mid-program students. This session aimed to assist them in defining their career goals as they are close to entering the workforce. We discussed managing emotions linked to ambition and uncertainty, challenged them to think about the future of work from a realistic point of view, and provided practical tools to develop actionable plans for achieving their goals. The overwhelmingly positive feedback underscored the students' need for guidance and feedback to adjust their plans effectively.

The Argentine educational community is increasingly concerned about the gap between high school graduates' readiness and university entry requirements, a problem worsened by pandemic-related school closures. Our academic support program, launched during the pandemic, has proven essential. This year, 75% of support requests are from first-year students, with over half needing help in mathematics.

We also welcomed four new volunteer mentors. Thanks to technology breaking down geographical barriers, one of our mentors, an Argentine audiovisual producer in Belgium, can mentor an advanced Audiovisual Arts student at the University of La Matanza. 

Preparing for the Future

As we prepare for the 2025 scholarship application campaign in August, we conducted a vocational guidance session at an event hosted by the Professional Council of Economic Sciences of Buenos Aires. It was attended by 600 high school and technical school students. The talk's objective was to assist students in understanding their strengths, identifying realistic options among their preferences, exploring career options as per their field of study, and making informed decisions. Additionally, we are visiting schools to promote our scholarship programs and raise awareness among potential applicants.

Meanwhile, the implementation of our new management platforms is progressing rapidly. The team eagerly anticipates using the platform for the first time in a few months, allowing us to handle the growing number of applications more efficiently.


Conclusion

Your generous support is making a profound difference in the lives of our students. Together, we are not just providing scholarships, but empowering disadvantaged Argentinian youth to achieve their dreams and contribute meaningfully to society. Thank you for being an integral part of this journey.

With sincere gratitude,

Anabella Maudet

Dear donors,

The outcome of the national elections in December sparked significant political upheaval and widespread confusion. As inflation continues its relentless climb, the plight of families across Argentina becomes increasingly dire. Despite these challenges, 2024 promises to be a year of resilience and progress for Fundación Integrar.

We're thrilled to announce that we've doubled the number of available spots for 2024, a response to the unprecedented number of applications we received. Among the nearly 900 applicants, we carefully selected 55 young individuals who are about to embark on a transformative journey with us. What struck us most was the profound impact of the ongoing crisis on these families. Many applicants come from households where at least one member works in the formal sector, yet they still qualify for our scholarships due to their very precarious financial situation.The majority live in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, in the western or northern areas, and 76% are women. It´s noteworthy that this figure surpasses the national average which is 60%.

In response to the growing needs of our scholars, we've made a significant increase in the stipend starting March 2024. Last year we realized that many students were juggling full-time work alongside their studies, jeopardizing their academic performance. By boosting the stipend, we aim to alleviate some of the financial burden, allowing students to prioritize and focus more on their education. Rest assured, we're committed to monthly adjustments to keep pace with inflation, ensuring our support remains effective and sustainable.

On the operational front, we're implementing new technology aimed at streamlining our processes and enhancing efficiency. Our goal is to expand our reach without compromising the almost artisanal approach that sets us apart. We firmly believe that maintaining a close connection with each scholarship holder and our volunteers is crucial. We want to be able to scale up the scholarship programs without losing focus on the unique circumstances and personality of each individual to ensure a truly personalized support.

2024 Grand Finale

Now picture a very warm mid-December night in Buenos Aires, with the threat of a tropical storm hanging in the air. But luck was on our side, and the weather held off, allowing us to enjoy a truly magical Annual Graduates Meeting.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Convent of Santa Catalina, the evening was nothing short of magical. The performance of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," by the Orquesta de los Barrios, composed of talented musicians from disadvantaged neighborhoods was enchanting. Especially for our students who had never been in the presence of a classical orchestra.

What made the evening even more special was the presence of Integrar's founding fathers. Their vision planted the seeds of our organization 17 years ago when they were just as young as our current students. It was wonderful to share with them the incredible impact we've had on the lives of nearly 200 young individuals.

As graduates from our two different scholarship programs mingled with the musicians, it became clear that this was more than just a celebration -it was a testament to the transformative power of education.

Your continued support and unwavering commitment enable us to make a tangible difference in the lives of these remarkable young individuals. Together, we´re writing stories of resilience, empowerment, and hope.

Thank you n