Education Activities

Education is a key to improvement in any society and this is particularly true where the vast majority of the people are poor. HAF has long supported this tenet through sponsorship of children in Compassion International; formation and funding of Agape Promises to reach children not included in the Compassion program; and now the Quimistan Valley Scholars (QVS) fund has produced our first candidate for post-high school education.

This QVS program grew from a contribution from HAF about four years ago that was designated to higher education for the very brightest of the very poor. Our scholarship committee decided that the program's ownership should be in the hands of leaders of Quimistan. They have developed all other aspects of the program whereby HAF matches money raised within the local community. The student does what he/she can (i.e. part time work, staying with relatives, etc.).

The success of QVS is due to the hard work of Srs. Dario Pacheco and Danilo Salguero, both of whom are members of the local Honduran Red Cross. They have expressed gratitude to HAF for encouraging the local leaders to do what, in their own words, they should have been doing all along. Providing local students the only opportunity they may have to achieve a higher education is a win-win situation.

Nery Sanchez, the first recipient, is enrolling in the University of San Pedro Sula and plans to become an architect or civil engineer who will serve the people of Quimistan. He (standing on the left) is pictured below with his family and two directors of HAF during a visit in October 2008. Their home is in the hills above Pinelejo.

Nery Sanchez and family

Scholars #2 and #3 are Miquel Vasquez (18) and Beltran Santiago (19) both of Quimistan. One lives with his mother in his grandmother's house; the other has a crippled father. They both meet our very poor and bright qualifications with Miquel's average being 89.7% and Beltran's 91.3%. Both will attend their first year at the week-end college classes at the colegio because it is cheaper and they can work during the week. Then they plan to go to SPS to study computer science and industrial engineering, respectfully. Our fourth scholar, Dennis Onestraza will also be in industrial engineering next quarter.

Miquel Vasquez and his family

Beltran Santiago and his family

Agape Promises Program

The Agape Promises program seeks to help children remain in school and graduate by locating sponsors who will provide funding. It is designed to create a personal Christian relationship between sponsor and child based on love, faith and trust in God. Children in the program range in age from 8 to 18.

Mission
We consider children to be the most precious resource of all and are working to improve their quality of spiritual and academic life. We believe that the secret of the future in Honduras resides in providing for the education, welfare and spiritual growth of the children.

Background
Our current plan is to have 50 children in the program. They are selected based on financial need, family circumstances, and ability to be successful. School registration and materials are covered in the program. Additionally, weekly bible study, hot meal, scholastic reinforcement and social interaction are provided. Frequent communications are encouraged between the children and sponsor to create a loving and caring relationship.

Benefits Children Receive

• Two general medical checkups per year, plus emergency health care as needed.
• Payment of school registration fees, books and supplies.
• Weekly instructor led Bible study, with structured curriculum by age group, and a hot meal.
• Annual examination and caring for teeth by local Aiken dentists.
• Periodic financial incentives based on academic performance and a Christmas gift.
• Access to computers and special help with school subjects.
• One or two educational and recreational field trips.

Cost per year
Depending on grade level, the current costs range from $320 to $476 per year.

For more information, contact June and Ken Blohm (803) 644-5935 or kenjune@bellsouth.net.