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While overcoming the economic barriers that prevent children from studying is a great challenge, for many more children it seems that the greatest challenge is actually staying in school by maintaining passing grades. Many of the students that receive scholarships are challenged by learning disabilities or special needs. As remedial help is non-existent within the school system, reinforcement in the home is crucial to the success of many children. However, more than two-thirds of our scholarship recipients have at least one illiterate parent, and the vast majority of those parents who are literate have received only a minimal amount of schooling. Therefore, children who fall behind in their classes are not likely to receive the assistance they need in order to succeed.
To ensure that children receiving scholarships truly learn what they are being taught in school, a tutoring program was begun to offer reinforcement after school. Approximately sixty-five children are assisted with their homework five days a week immediately after school, from 1 to 5 pm. The after school program provides a clean and spacious work environment for children to study and complete their homework. Here they have access to reference materials, books to read, art supplies, typewriters and the internet. Without the access to these resources along with the individualized attention they receive, the majority of the children who attend would not experience academic success.
The afternoon begins with a nutritionally-balanced hot lunch which is often the most substantial meal that the children eat all day. Later in the afternoon a nutritious snack is also served. As many of the children do not have the luxury of running water in their homes, they are offered the opportunity to shower when their homework has been completed. The school year in Guatemala runs from January to October, but the after school program continues year-round, even during school vacation.
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