This Monday we were privileged to  hear Elly Contreras, the Canadian Intermediary for Project Amigo, tell us about this program, which is dedicated to improving the lives of Mexican children in the state of Colima, one of Mexico's poorest regions.  She outlined the extreme poverty and hardscrabble existence of the people, whose children, through lack of educational opportunity, also face a life of extreme poverty. 

To do this, Project Amigo removes the financial barriers to education through scholarships that include school fees, transportation, uniforms and school supplies, and a hot lunch. The staff also provide tutoring and mentoring during Project Amigo Homework Club. Homework Clubs provide a way of keeping in close touch with the students so problems can be identified before they become so severe that the student is forced to drop out of school.

 

Elly's presentation was particularly special because we had the opportunity to meet Everado and Jesus, the two students our club sponsors. The boys were shy, but introduced themselves and answered questions from club members.