Wilson is a stellar student. Next year will be his second year of high school at a school in Santa Lucia where he is getting an excellent education in his chosen field: agronomy. A year ago, while Wilson was applying to get into this school, his father was on the verge of dying following a long illness. Somehow, Wilson still managed to do well in school and pass his entrance exam. His widowed mother lives in extremely poor circumstances, but is very supportive of Wilson continuing his education. He will need about $500 next year.

Marlon graduated from high school a year ago and has been working this year to help support his mother. His high school diploma is in electronics. He would like to begin university next year. Although he will continue working, attending a weekend university program, the cost of university, including books and supplies, is out of reach for him without a scholarship. He will need at least $1000 to go to university.

Antonio is graduating from high school at the end of October and would like to go to university next year. Antonio's mother abandoned the family years ago, and his dad moved to Guatemala City a few years back to find work. For a while, Antonio lived with his grandmother and step-grandfather. After Antonio graduated from 9th grade, Antonio's step-grandfather announced that Antonio was old enough to make it on his own, and essentially kicked Antonio out of the house. Although Antonio's father is emotionally supportive, he earns only subsistence wages, and can not help financially with Antonio's studies. Antonio is a good student who has been very responsible. 

He will need at least $1000 to go to university.

Karla will graduate from 9th grade the end of October and wants to attend high school next year. She's extremely smart, but has struggled personally due to family problems (her step-father has been abusive). Since beginning our program, she lived for 1 1/2 years at a shelter for abused girls in Mazatenango (continuing to receive her scholarship to pay school fees). Karla is back in Tiquisate now, and will need support next year, not only for school fees, uniform, and supplies, but also for transportation to high school. We are hoping she can go to a good private school in Nueva Concepcion next year (commuting daily from Tiquisate). The public buses have become very unsafe, so Karla will need to take one of the private shuttles which take students between Tiquisate and Nueva Concepcion. To attend this school, she will need at least $1000.

Teresa will be in second year university. She has done remarkably well given her family situation. Her mother has a long history of not being present either physically or emotionally. Teresa's father suffers from severe mental illness which makes him incapable of helping his daughter. For several years, Teresa has lived with an older aunt, who is emotionally supportive, but chronically ill and unable to provide anything beyond the most basic support. After months of looking, Teresa has found some work, but continues to need financial support to stay in school.