New Applicants now have hope

Our growing reputation and better local management has helped the program improve the quality of applicant and grow. We have a good working relationship with a number of schools and are supported by the local Cable network. As a result, we are getting higher quality applicants and more applicants.

We still insist on the 80% GPA requirement, but have turned away fewer applicants due to this requirement. A GPA of 80% allows a greater chance for success, when these applicants from questionable village schools, study in the tougher Coatepeque schools. Those who are refused at this time, may apply in another year, if they reach our standards.

Each six months, I return to Guatemala to check current girl's progress, see that teeth are cared for and interview current applicants.

SURPRISE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS:

The response in July 08, was amazing. I did not understand why we ahd some 25-30 applicants until the director of the University and High School Director both mentioned that parents generally wanted their girls to be Spirit becadas. As some of the applicants families had enough money to afford education, I did not understand why they wanted to be part of a group of he very poor.

The answer was that the Spirit Becadas are the best students in the school and the program offers so much. I checked this and discovered that of the 24 possible honors over the last 2 years, our girls have won 16.   

The applicant families, or the girls themselves, have been able to go to middle school, however, the worsening economic situation has forced many to have to quit school. They are desperate for your help in order to keep following their dreams of getting out of poverty through education.          

I realize that while this is a very poor country, that does not mean costs are low. The wealthy set the prices. A gallon of gas in July 2008 cost $5. A pizza $17.80, the cheapest screwdriver $1.35 and school supplies more than in the USA.                       
 

Interested potential godparents are encouraged to:

1. Choose to adopt an applicant from the current list below, or

2. Send in your request for a future applicant by emailing or snail mailing your request to info@spiriteduc.org  480-836-9946, or 15532 E Tepee Dr. Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. This will put you on the direct contact list. When we have a new applicant, we will contact you directly, in order of your statement of interest receipt, when an applicant is waiting. Please include the following:

     * Name, address, email, phone.

     * Preference: High school start (up to 9 years) or university start (up to 6 years)

The applicants this time, seem to be from families that have lower incomes, but more interest in education than often is the case. The extreme effort they have made to keep their children in school is amazing.

Unless costs raise markedly, the scholarships will be $800 to include school fees, English teacher, uniforms, transportation, English equipment, some books, internet fees. All of your dollars go to your "adopted" girl.

FUTURE SALARY EXPECTATIONS PER MONTH, WITH YOUR HELP:

Basico/ middle school           Q6-700    $ 81-95

Diversificado/ high school     Q1200     $ 163

University                                 Q4000-15,000    $ 500 - 1875

English knowledge                             $300 premium

2009 APPLICANTS (for 2010 scholarships)

CLAUDIA MALDONADO CIFUENTES

Claudia is 18 years old. Her GPA is 85% in her second year of administration in high school

The widow of renown educator Hector Galvez has continued her beca until now. However, as her future economic ability has been affected by bank failures, it is unlikely that the scholarship will continue ion the future. 

 Her mother can no longer work due to diabetes, so her brothers send about Q500 / $60 per month to support the two of them. Her mother baby sits the grandkids.

The home visit shows they are having a hard time. They were a rural family forced to move to the city for work. Her father took off in ’97 and her mother worked to support them.

Claudia wants to become educated to be able to help her mother. 

Each day she learns more about the business world

She dreams to go to the university to study Administration to better and perfect her knowledge.

She says she must start low but wants to build up a big business that is dynamic and creative, motivated with her whole person.  She will be responsible to her clients and family.  She plans on Offering her employees a fairness.

 MARIVEL HERNANDEZ VILLAGRES

Age 22

Grade point averages are 87%+

Wants to study Administration at University

The family lives on Q1000 or $125 per Month for 4 people

Marival has been able to earn enough to finish high school by working, then studying. It took her 7 years to graduate from this 2 year program. She is waiting for her diploma.

We were home visiting for her sister’s application, a recommendation of the middle school director. She didn’t realize she was eligible for a scholarship.

She must have worked all night getting her application completed and delivered to Coatepeque.

Her father is cow guard, and their house comes with the job. This is very little money, but the family invests in food, electricity and education.

Her brother is now a high school graduate in accounting and lives elsewhere. Her younger sister is also in school.

She wants to help her parents, be a role model to her siblings and be independent in the future.

Her High School education taught her much about Administration. She listed an in depth variety of business skills she learned: margins, finance, etc.

She hopes to have a good job in a big business and a house, car, and a bank account to eventually form her own business. She thinks she qualifies for the beca because she is positive, earns high grades and is determined

PAOLA GUZMAN    

Age 18,  Wants to Study Law/ notary, GPA 84.4%

Family income Q700/ $87 monthly for 7 people

When I asked her to say cheese (she didn't understand), then whisky (which she did understand), I got her laughing.

Paula is part of the first group to apply from Troje. I visited Troje in March and again in June 2009. This is a very poor, hot, forgotten bump near the end of the road, but I was surprised (overwhelmed) at the community interest in bettering their lives. They came to hear about the becas, fertility cycle, and dental care and the power of their vote.

Paula has managed to graduate from teachers school, but, of course, can not find work. The country is over run with teachers, as this is usually the only government study option available close by. She feels bad that the huge sacrifice her family made for her education, is so far not useful to find employment. She has learned perseverance and hopes to be able to help her family one day. She also hopes one day that the children of her community will be able to go to school with her help. She believes young people have the desire to study, but can’t due to money.

She loves school and wants to lead others into bettering their lives through education.

Currently, her father does not have stabile work and any available money goes to her younger brothers’ school fees.   She needs your help to continue her dreams to better her life.

Evelin Sicely Hernandez Perez

 Age 27 Years, Want to Study Administration at University

Family income is Q3000/ $400 per month (see below)

GPA in secretarial studies 85% (2002)

We visited her village Mercedes. Her home is dirt floored, multi level as each room conforms to the hillside level. Some of the walls are partials. This family is extremely poor, but their energy goes toward education. Two of her brothers are working and studying and the other two siblings are studying. High school fees for 3 plus one in middle school, take up most of their monthly income. The rest goes to food and clothing.

She is working part time to try and save money for university, but this is not too successful. She earns too little and university is expensive. She feels qualified, and “when she sets a goal, she works hard to reach it”. She certainly worked to get her application ready. .

MORE TO COME