A Request for Help

As you know, I have spent the past year working at the Alison Bixby Stone School, a bilingual elementary school in Honduras. While the vast majority of bilingual schools in Latin America are for-profit institutions, ABSS prides itself on being a non-profit entity with a strong social mission. Each year, ABSS ensures that one-third of its students are from low-income families, and the administration has worked diligently to ensure that these students receive scholarships to allow them to attend. In addition, ABSS has established an extensive teacher training program that serves local public teachers as well as teachers working at a large orphanage outside of Tegucigalpa. Just recently, ABSS hosted a visit by the Honduran Ministry of Education during which the Ministry declared its intention to work closely with ABSS over the next few years in an effort to adopt and implement ABSS's practices across Honduras.

In order to maintain its small and effective learning environment, ABSS only offers classes through the 6th grade, and most students go on to quality bilingual schools in Tegucigalpa to finish their education. However, many scholarship students are unable to afford the tuition costs at these institutions, and most (as they are for-profit institutions) offer no scholarships. Thus, many of the students that ABSS has scholarshipped through the 6th grade are forced to go to public schools to finish their education. Needless to say, Honduras's system of public education leaves much to be desired; most public school teachers possess only a high school education, and, in recent years, the average public school teacher has failed to report to school for nearly half the scheduled days.

Katerin and Ivan are two of my students who will not be able to attend a bilingual school without outside assistance. Currently, Katerin is in the 6th grade and Ivan is in the 5th. They have a little brother, Edward, who will be turning 3 in October. Their father, Jovani, works as a driver for the university (Zamorano) that houses ABSS, a job that earns him less than $300 a month. Although he earns very little, he has always managed to put aside the necessary money to pay for the ABSS tuition not covered by his children's scholarships. He is a very humble and hardworking man, and he is very appreciative of all that ABSS has done for his children. His hard work and determination are reflected in both of his children.

I'm writing to humbly ask you for any help you may be able to provide for either Katerin or Ivan. The costs for a bilingual school (including transportation from Zamorano) are approximately $300 a month or $3600 a year. I recently took Katerin to Tegucigalpa for her placement tests, and she passed with flying colors; all she needs now is the money to go.

Please don't feel overwhelmed by the amount; any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated by both myself and Katerin and Ivan's family. Ideally, I would love if several people could commit to providing a set amount each year (from 7th until 12th grade) until Katerin and Ivan graduate from high school. Also, please know that ABSS is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit in the United States, so any money you provide would be tax-deductible.

If you do decide to help sponsor Katerin or Ivan, every cent of the money you send will go directly to their education. In addition, you will be able to build a personal relationship to them both through email, letters, and phone calls. As their sponsor, you will be able to personally witness the positive effects of your kindness.

If you'd like more information, please feel free to contact me. I can send pictures or videos of Katerin, Ivan, and their family; I can arrange phone conversations with them; I can call you personally; or I can do my best to send you whatever other information you'd like.

Thank you for taking the time to read this email. I hope to hear from you soon.

Warmest regards,

Julie