Education Beyond 6th Grade: Dreams Can Come True

We are nearing the end of another school year with our students! Our program continues to support each participant as we wish them well in finishing strong.

Our program coordinator, Nelly Milla, conducted a second distribution of supplies to each high school right before Honduran independence day festivities started (September 16th). Students who are in their last year of high school received assitance in professional attire or specialized tools (see image) to complete their internships and be elegible to graduate. Our students expressed being very grateful to receive all of this help. We share with you three students' words of gratitude:

• "I want to be a successful professional and I want to say thanks for the support that you are giving me. It has been a tremendous help to my family ... infinite thanks to that noble heart of yours."
• "This scholarship has been a significant gift for me and my heart is full of happiness for what you do, that is why I wanted to share my gratitude."
• "Thanks to your support, I don't have to spend as much time worrying about the costs for school. Instead I can focus on my studies and take utmost advantage of the oppportunity that you have given me." [Student M - see image of parade]

We will soon declare success as another generation of high school students graduate --  thanks to your continued support!

In Solidarity, 

 Mariela Rodriguez

Communications Coordinator

During my recent trip to Honduras I was able to talk to some youth from our scholarship program and I wanted to share a story about the impact of your commitment to our student's education in rural Intibuca, Honduras. 

Meet Eva, she is an eight grade student who was cheery walking into the office where I met her. Eva and her older sister have been raised by a single mother- which has presented her family with many difficulties. However, her mother has made the education of her daughters a priority.

Eva's older sister is in high school, which means that there are more educational expenses (books, supplies, transportation, etc) for the family. If Eva was not receiving help from the Shoulder to Shoulder scholarship program, her mother would only be able to afford to keep one of her daughters in school.  Instead, the added financial support from Eva's scholarship allows two sisters the ability to study.

Eva also shared how she experienced trauma early in her young life which has left her with emotional scars. She also suffers from a respiratory illness which often lands her in the clinic for the day - causing her to miss school. Despite all of these obstacles Eva has been able to maintain good grades and is motivated to keep studying just like her sister. She thanks the donors who are able to make her scholarship a reality and allow her and her sister to study, helping them come closer to graduating. 

Thank you for your time and commitment to our project!