260 likes | 471 Views
XIth Conference on HONDURAS Copán Ruinas , October 14-16 2010. Saturday 1:40 PM Education—Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders. Our Educational Missions in the Quimistán Area. A Sampling of Options/Styles. Allen L. Blancett Honduras Agape Foundation. Our Mission Area. Contrasting Conditions.
E N D
XIth Conference on HONDURASCopán Ruinas, October 14-162010 Saturday 1:40 PM Education—Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders
Our Educational Missions in the Quimistán Area A Sampling of Options/Styles Allen L. Blancett Honduras Agape Foundation
Contrasting Conditions Quimistán – 38,000; 60% rural TYPICAL MOUNTAIN VILLAGE: Santa Clara – 350? All rural
Growing Leaders in Different Soils Varied educational programs 1. Fifty students, grades 1-12, sponsored individually, Quimistán area 2&3University education 2. Individual donor(s) support 3. Community-shared (Quimistán) support 4. ~Twenty students, post-elementary, to a different community 5. Bilingual elementary school
1. Agape Promise • Originally -- alternative to Compassion International • Sponsorship ($320 - $476/year) pays for • School fees, books, supplies, uniforms • Stipends for performance • Weekly Bible study, hot meal • Computers, tutors, bilingual training • Medical & dental care • Field trips • Caring sponsors
Agape Promise, Grade Levels 3-6 Learning Practicing
Agape Promise, Grade Levels 7-12 Learning Teaching
First AP Graduates 2007 Graduates – Pablo, Nancy, David 2008 Graduates – Mario, jessica
Results from Agape Promise • Eight AP graduates, beginning in 2007 • Pre-med, San Pedro Sula • Psychology, San Pedro Sula • University, Tegucigalpa • Lear Corporation (2) • Family business administrator • Cyber café • Between jobs (1) • Older students tutor younger ones • Families encourage good study habits • Some students are learning English • Observation: Seventh grade is the big step • Future leaders are being developed!
2009 AP Graduates, now at University Laura – Pre-Med Vilma -- Psychology
2. University EducationIndividual Donor(s) Support University support for selected AP graduates • Apply to university, then to HAF • Local recommendation of candidates to HAF • HAF selection, covenant with student • Grades • Community service • Communication • Partial reimbursement • Current annual cost in San Pedro Sula ~$2,000 USD • Family support as possible • Current AP sponsors • New donors • Student jobs
3. University EducationCommunity-Shared Support Quimistán Valley Scholar -- QVS • Goals: • Enable post-Colegio education • Find brightest of poorest, and help • Return to community for two years • Community-managed program • Administered locally • Local publicity, local selection, local ownership • Co-financed by family, community, foundation
Quimistan Valley Scholar– Assessment of Progress • QVS students making adequate progress(?) • Only two students enrolled • Limited feedback • Community support is unclear • Effect of economy? • Applicants not satisfied with process • Selection criteria? • Communication from administrators? • Attempting to strengthen local support • Scholarships at technical school • Corporate sponsorships
Just the Basics– and it’s succeeding • Santa Clara—community of 90 families • Unstructured, just the basics • Bare essentials to just attend school • 15 in colegio • Cost about $150/year per student • Transportation—local enterprise, shared support • Also---now completed • 1 in Nurse training, now a nurse • 1 in Mgmt./Computers, now in a DP job • 1 in Teacher training/certification, now teaching
5. Bilingual Elementary School From the front porch . . . . . .to the classroom
Kindergarten classroom and kitchen/cafeteria under construction in 2009
1st Grade curriculum Colors, numbers, time, days, months, seasons, reading, writing, arithmetic – all in both English and Spanish Snack time in Kindergarten
What Are We Learning? • Excellent performance requires work, not wealth • Success attracts more donors, but it’s a long process • Best is personal stories—photos, specific needs; not general • Student selection criteria necessitate clear standards • Performance standards are important • Seventh grade is a tough transition • Stipends increase family encouragement • Students hunger to know someone who cares/helps • Community support is not guaranteed • Girls can choose different future if they wish and work
Wisdom Literature “Once you educate the boys, they tend to leave the villages and go search for work in the cities. But the girls stay home, become leaders in the community, and pass on what they’ve learned. If you really want to change a culture, to empower women, improve basic hygiene and health care, and fight high rates of infant mortality, the answer is to educate girls.” Greg Mortenson, “Three Cups of Tea”
Honduras Agape FoundationP.O. Box 6315Aiken, SC 29804Email: hafsec@bellsouth.net http://www.hondurasagape.com http://HAFMissions.blogspot.com