Give the Gift of Education to Children in Poverty

Twenty Five CAA Scholarship Students Head Back to School Second Term

In July 2015, CAA Members greeted and congratulated 25 CAA scholarship students on making good grades in the first term, thereby re-establishing eligibility for scholarships for the second 2015 term. Many of these students are in their third year of the CAA Scholarship Program, and the commitment to education is obvious judging from their grades and these smiles!

And one new high school student joined the 24 existing scholarship students in a late first-term addition. Due to illness, the family needed help, and the Committee intervened to provide clothing, shoes, and school supplies for this third-year high school student, who is making good to excellent grades in most courses.  At the awards event, his mother offered a prayer of thanks for the wonderful people that made this help possible – her prayer goes out to all of our supporters!

This July 2015 award presentation event was a milestone in three other significant ways: First, this event was organized and directed by our 2015 University of Costa Rica Student Intern, Maria Fernanda Rojas, a student in the Programa de Trabajadores de Social, at UCR. Ms. Rojas is also a CAA Scholarship Student, our first university-level student.  Second, she and her supervisory social worker, Johanna Fernandez, conducted interviews with 4 students and parents who were experiencing difficulties with grades or at home. Ms. Fernandez and Ms. Rojas identified the barriers impacting the students’ scholastic performance and helped identify solutions. These personalized interviews and interventions represent a step forward in our Scholarship Program, moving beyond providing financial help to furnishing student/family specific guidance. Third, Ms. Rojas is gaining practical experience to prepare her for her future career as a licensed social-worker.

And most importantly, most of these students would not be in school today without your support! Almost $6500 in scholarships will be awarded in 2015, as we make steady improvements in our participation. Through your generosity and continued support, these children and others can count on educational assistance into 2016 and beyond, setting a solid foundation for economic security for their families in the years to come.