Encouraging children to stay in school not only helps with their education. They also learn how to relate to others and gain self-esteem, self-discipline and a sense of identity, often lacking in many shanty town homes.

By running weekly Bible Clubs and Youth Groups, Christian camps, and working with local churches, Educación Plus helps provide for the children’s spiritual needs. We also make regular pastoral visits to families to give counselling, advice and practical help, such as digging latrines or mending rooves. We check on the children’s progress at school and keep a close eye on those we consider to be at risk.

Children often learn most when they are having fun! Our regular organized weekly sports activities are an important part of our programme, along with our annual Football Championships for both boys and girls. Apart from the sports and camps, we arrange Christmas parties and regular outings.

Just knowing someone is interested in them for the right reasons is very important for these children.

Being sponsored changed things for Luis...
We knew Luis, 11, from our Bible Club and we first sponsored him to enable him to attend school. He came from a very difficult family who lived in a run down shack. His mother was a prostitute and was often drunk. She publicly disparaged him and was often aggressive towards him.

Luis became the star pupil in his fifth grade class and well-thought of by his teachers. Then, one day, he was ironing his school shirt when his mother got into a rage and burnt him in several places with the iron.

Previously she had attacked him with a broomstick. With our encouragement, Luis had reported the incident to the school social worker, who issued a warning. This time the social worker contacted us and we all decided that he could not return home.

We collected his things and he stayed with Educación Plus staff members while we arranged for him to live with another, trustworthy, family nearby. Shortly afterwards, his mother died of cirrhosis of the liver.

Luis’ living arrangement continued while he completed his last two years at junior school. He graduated with flying colours and is now attending secondary school with one of his best friends, who is another lad that we have helped over the years. Child sponsorship with Educación Plus has given Luis hope for a better future that was not possible before.

(The child’s name has been changed to protect his identity.)