Educational Scholarships  for Tomorrow's Women

Public education in Mexico is not free past the 6th grade. Junior high and high school are beyond the means of poor families. What frequently happens is that rather then burden the family with school costs the young boys seek work outside the home and the girls help their mothers. Most young women very early having limited vision of what else to do with their lives. What brilliant minds, great artists and educated citizens are lost because of this?

Our scholarship program seeks young women who want to improve their living conditions, and those of their families and communities. We now support over 130 students, mainly in elementary through high school, as well as some in college or technical schools. These girl and young women come from the following rural communities: Atotonilco (2 schools), San Marcos, Augustine Gonzales (2 schools),  Coral de Piedras (2 schools), Tambula,  Alcocer.

There is a waiting list of students who have been recommended by their teachers for their academic potential or because of special situations. It is common in the rural communities around San Miguel for girls to drop out of school after 6th grade, or even before, to help out with the work at home. While Secondaria (7th thru 9th grades) are government sponsored, our scholarships pay for the books, materials, transportation, food and even shoes and clothing, which are beyond the family's budget. These scholarships make it easier for the family to let go of the extra pair of hands that contribute to the daily work of survival.

Funds are used for tuition, books, uniforms and transportation from the country to villages where secondary schools are located.

Mujeres and Cambio volunteers provide monthly supervision. Grades are checked and funds for the upcoming month are distributed along with support on budgeting.

NEW REPORT

Sept 1, 2006 Mujeres en Cambio distributed the first part of the scholarship money to girls from nine communities within the municipality of San Miguel de Allende. This year 145 students are enrolled in the program including: 127 undergraduates, 17 university students, and one in a master’s degree program. This year we increased the scholarship to (in US dollars): undergraduates $300 per year, graduate students $1050 per year.  Mujeres en Cambio has sufficient funds for the 2006-2007scholarship year, but we need US$ 57,00 per year to continue our work.  
We need your help to secure funds to continue providing these scholarships for the advancement or Mexico.

Statistics about life in rural Mexico comprised from a questionnaire given to the scholarship recipients in Sept 2006
1.      More than 50% have seven or more in the family members living in a two-room house.  Many share the house with ten, eleven or twelve people.
2.   87% are living in households where only one or two people are working to support their families. Frequently this is a mother selling tortillas as the breadwinner.
3.   Subsistence farming is the main stay in rural communities. They grow corn, beans, and squash for family food throughout the year.
     In 2005 there was virtually no corn crop from lack of rain. The villagers had to buy all their corn and beans for that year adding an additional financial   burden.
4.      16% of the households have indoor plumbing.  
5.      Most of the girls live in outlying communities and have to commute by bus or pick up truck to attend upper levels of school. Some travel as long as 1 ½ hours.
6.      43% of the 91 households questioned have family members working in the United States.

     Many of the young women involved in this program want to continue their studies in fields like education, computers, business administration, law, architecture and medicine so they will be able to support themselves and their families in the future and help their siblings further their education.  With your help and their considerable commitment, this is possible.