Reporting on Scholarships in Honduras

by Sharon Oster

We, the Honduras Mission team, have returned to Epiphany on a high! What a successful trip we had! All the students that are sponsored are attending their classes! All have their uniforms and do they ever wear them proudly. Thank you to all that have made the decision to support a child to attend school in the community of Fuerzas Unidas.

We have taken pictures and collected letters of each child that is sponsored. I will be getting these in the mail to sponsors on Monday. The families of these children have sent their sincere gratitude and love for making this opportunity possible.

Below I have briefly described the Becas Con Bendiciones schlolarship program. If you have any questions, please see Sr Larraine or Sharon Oster.

BECAS CON BENDICIONES (Scholarships with Blessings)

An opportunity to provide scholarships for children in Honduras.

Public schools in Honduras are “free”, but many children are unable to attend because of the entry fees, uniform requirements and school supplies they are required to purchase. This program provides support for children who are selected by a local committee from the Divine Mercy Catholic community in Fuerzes Unidas for the school year which begins in February and ends in November. Becas con Bendiciones' mission is to help the poorest of the poor get an education.

The number of children who will have the opportunity to attend school is based on the funds received into this program. This is a ministry that will impact these children for their entire lives and involves the whole child. The spiritual component is highlighted by a “gathering” each month led by the pastors and coordinators of the program involving the children in Bible study, singing and prayer.

Our scholarship project incorporates a model program: afternoon supplementary school for two hours each school day.  Since children only attend a four hour school day, and with frequent teacher strikes, the amount of actual instruction time is very low.  Our coordinator Lillian Santos conducts daily sessions of homework assistance, music and art, games, religious instruction and more.  We call it the "little school", and it is the first of its kind in the Becas program. 

Some of the children we serve have actually been working in the streets since age 5.  Some of our older kids in junior high actually do work as domestics, and attend weekend school.  Many of the children live in very unstable homes.  Their daily time with Lillian gives them support and encouragement--it's really making a difference.

$150.00 per year scholarships provides the following:

• Tuition and other fees
• Uniform and leather shoes
• School supplies and back pack
• Gym clothes and tennis shoes
• Bible
• Multiple vitamins
• ...and the "little school program" too!