Sitting around the table with six students from "La Chureca," you can't help but notice the joy in their spirits. It is a joy I have not yet seen in the children of the dump, until now. Their eyes are bright, they smile and laugh like other teenagers with ease and familiarity. The one difference is, they live and work in the garbage dump. These are students who have gone beyond what the elementary school in La Chureca can offer them. They have chosen to make a difference in their lives for their family, children and community.
La Chureca translates as "the dump." In and around the garbage dump of Managua, Nicaragua, there are 200-300 families who reside and work. They often sift through the city's garbage, sorting out recyclable material and sometimes even finding something to eat. Seven years ago, a man had a heart to help the community, so he opened an elementary school inside La Chureca. With just a drop of children attending at first, the school and its staff have developed relationships and trust over the years with the community and the enrollment of students has climbed to over 350 boys and girls. They have the chance to have the foundation of education as well as learn about having Christ as the foundation of their lives.
As they come to end of "primary" school (which in Managua it ends after 6th grade) they have the opportunity to continue on to " secondary" school outside the confines of the garbage dump. After five years of secondary school, they can go onto a university or vocational school. The children that are older and have enrolled in school later in life have the option to go to "prep" school, an intensive program to learn basics quickly so they can move on to higher education. But this takes resources- resources that most students and families don't have. They need uniforms, school supplies, transportation, tuition and encouragement.
This is where you come into play. You have the opportunity to join us in helping make the dreams of a better life come true for these children who have hope in their eyes. Here are a few students I would like you to meet:
Maryuri Guido Zeledon is 14 years old and in her first year of secondary school. At the age she is now she right on track to move on to a University. She likes to study science. After graduation in four years, she would like to attend college. She is somewhat shy, but with a little encouragement I believe her spirit will come shining through.
Meet Maribel Rodriguez Castillo. She is 20 years old and attending preparatory school. She wishes to finish her education as soon as she is able, and then wants move to college to learn business administration. She likes to study geography and seminario (a study of Nicaraguan culture), both moral and civil. She works in her home when she is not studying. When asked what is a fun or interesting fact about herself she said she likes her cheeks when she laughs. Her motivation for continuing her education is so she can leave La Chureca and work on her own.
Walter Antonio Betancourt is 18 years old, and he says in reality, he is really funny. He likes to make people laugh. He is in his second year of secondary school. When he is not working in La Chureca, he loves to study Spanish, history and math. He also desires to attend college and major in business administration. His motivation for education is to leave the dump and to be something in life. And from the looks of it, he will succeed.
With a glowing smile on her face, she shared a fun fact about
herself and that is she likes to sing. Meyling Sanchez Moreno is 23 and in her second year in prep school. She also would like to attend college in the future and has interests in both business administration and nursing. After running around, taking care of her two children, she likes to study English and seminario. Her main motivation for her education is to help her two children and her have a better life.
Jessenia Guido Zeledon is 19 years old and attending her second year in secondary school. She
likes to study science and geography. Her wish is to attend college and study architecture and/or graphic design- which goes along with the fun fact that she likes to draw and sing. Her motivation for higher education is to prepare her for a better life outside the dump.
As you can see, Maria has a beautiful baby girl. Maria Sulema Briseno is 16 years old and attending her second year of secondary school. She likes to study history and geography, and wishes to attend college. A fun fact about her is that she likes to cut and style hair, and wants to become a hairstylist in her spare time one day. When asked her motivation for attending school she simply said " her daughter."
This is truly the beginning of change inside La Chureca. These young adults for the first time have an opportunity and hope for a better future. They are hard workers, sacrificing time at work, time with their families and sometimes time with their children to take hold of this chance to break the generational chain of living and working in La Chureca.
Would you please consider joining with Forward Edge International to help make the dreams of these families come true? To make a donation, please see the link "make a donation" at the top of the page. Please mark "other projects" and in the "purpose" box write the student's name you wish to sponsor and with a note that they are from La Chureca, Nicaragua. OR if you would like to support transportation or uniforms etc., write "student transportation/ student uniforms, La Chureca, Nicaragua." For information about Forward Edge International click on the web address above as well. If you would like to send words of encouragement please send them to susie@forwardedge.org, and I will personally pass them on to the students.
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