Help Salvadoran Youth go to College
Donation protected
In February 2014, I picked up my life and moved to El Salvador to accept a job at League Central America (LCA), a garment factory that not only makes the best quality apparel, but is pushing the needle to create a better quality El Salvador. Through many social programs, such as, reinsertion of ex-gang members into the workforce, providing jobs for physically disabled individuals, and free education up until high school, this factory is giving opportunities and second chances to those who need it most. Through work, education, and giving second chances, LCA hopes to make the dream of creating a better El Salvador, a reality.
70% of Salvadorans do not complete their education, not because they don't want to, but because there is a lack of opportunity throughout the country. In February 2016, LCA created an alliance with Don Bosco University, located in the capital city, San Salvador, to open a campus inside the factory walls.
This month, 36 students are set to graduate, being the first graduating class at LCA. There are currently 108 students studying, and 154 kids in different levels of primary and high school who have hopes of attending the university in League.
The annual tuition cost for each student is $1300. This is 36% of their annual income, and that is not including other expenses, such as travel and school supplies. My current goal is to help cover half of their tuition and if there is a positive response, to increase the goal to eventually cover 100% of the cost.
I will be working directly with our internal co-op to ensure that 100% of the donations go right to student tuition.
Throughout my time in El Salvador, I learned that Salvadorans are some of the most beautiful and welcoming people in the world. As a girl who had the "American Dream" of having the opportunity to go to a great college, I want nothing more than to give them the same opportunities. These are the kids of the future.
You can see more about LCA's work here in a PBS News Hour special recently aired:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/the-factory-that-combines-school-and-work-to-give-el-salvador-a-brighter-future
70% of Salvadorans do not complete their education, not because they don't want to, but because there is a lack of opportunity throughout the country. In February 2016, LCA created an alliance with Don Bosco University, located in the capital city, San Salvador, to open a campus inside the factory walls.
This month, 36 students are set to graduate, being the first graduating class at LCA. There are currently 108 students studying, and 154 kids in different levels of primary and high school who have hopes of attending the university in League.
The annual tuition cost for each student is $1300. This is 36% of their annual income, and that is not including other expenses, such as travel and school supplies. My current goal is to help cover half of their tuition and if there is a positive response, to increase the goal to eventually cover 100% of the cost.
I will be working directly with our internal co-op to ensure that 100% of the donations go right to student tuition.
Throughout my time in El Salvador, I learned that Salvadorans are some of the most beautiful and welcoming people in the world. As a girl who had the "American Dream" of having the opportunity to go to a great college, I want nothing more than to give them the same opportunities. These are the kids of the future.
You can see more about LCA's work here in a PBS News Hour special recently aired:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/the-factory-that-combines-school-and-work-to-give-el-salvador-a-brighter-future
Organizer
Carly Gerstman
Organizer
Ambler, PA
