University Scholarships
By Chris Madsen, St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Santa Cruz, CA
November 2003 was the first class of high school graduates from the Dr. Manuel Guillermo Ungo school. What an incredible accomplishment from a group of communities built from the ground up after the 1992 Peace Accords. In 2005 Santa Cruz al Salvador extended our scholarship program to include university scholarships. A University education - including transportation, meals, supplies - is approximately $1,100 to $1, 500 per year. There may be costs to stay in San Salvador if there are evening classes, as it is dangerous to travel back to the communities at night.
There have been successes and disappointments, as with all university attempts. There have been 3 students who passed the rigorous test to enter the National University, but they were unable to keep their grades at a C average, for a variety of reasons.
The successes are awesome, however. Jose Alcides Molina, the computer teacher at the school, successfully took several certificate programs and will now be entering the National University as a math major. He will continue to help at the school maintaining the computers. Maria Norma Cuellar has finished nursing school, and passed the Ministry of Health exam that allows her to proceed to do her practicum; after that she will take the RN exam. She will be funded for 1 more semester, and will be finished!!
In addition to Alcides and Maria Norma, the school scholarship committee is recommending funding for Maria Angel Ascencio for the coming year. Maria Angel did pass the entrance exam and wants to study psychology. We will continue to follow her progress.
We have been told over and over that education provides hope for these children and young adults. We thank you for contributing to the hope of this small but proud country.
Added by Kent September 4, 2007 (10:30PM)
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