Guatemala (MNN) ― According to the Guatemalan Department of Education, roughly 30% of all Guatemalan adults over age 15 cannot read or write. Only 22% of children who complete the sixth grade move on to the Junior High level.
The reasons are basically economic. Most families can't afford the tuition for a private education, and young people are expected to support the family after the sixth grade.
For those who do continue on, education for students after 6th grade is vocationally focused. Discontinuing training prevents a child from achieving his/her potential, limiting ability to provide for themselves and their families and to contribute positively to Guatemalan society.
AMG International has stepped in to help break that cycle. They reaching over 1200 children with five child development centers and services. These children receive nutritious food, education, medical care and Bible instruction in an environment in which they can observe the Christian conduct and lifestyles of believing staff. In this way, they are also introduced to the Gospel.
Having an AMG-sponsored child stay in school brings the added blessing of continued services by the staff they have known, and continued Bible instruction and care through the child development center with which they have grown familiar.
AMG International is now expanding their impact in the lives of these children by offering families a way to help these children stay in school through their High School years.
AMG's Scholarship Fund is how it works. This special opportunity is available only to children who are already enrolled in an AMG sponsorship program. Students receiving scholarship help must maintain not less than weekly contact / attendance at AMG programs or events as a condition of continued scholarship help. These students will continue to receive Bible instruction and tutoring at their original AMG childcare project location.
There are currently 1,100 Middle School children and 600 High School children who qualify for scholarship help. It will cost $35,000 to keep these kids in school in 2011. Is there too big a price tag to put on their future?
