Programa Velasco 2009Programa Velasco is a scholarship program for children enrolled in Centro Hogar, (Home Center), a pre-school within Asociación Nuevo Amanecer de El Salvador (New Dawn Association of El Salvador). The program began in December 2007 when Juan Velasco, a professor from Santa Clara University lived in El Salvador and taught with the university’s study aboard program, Casa de la Solidaridad. Annie Boyd, a close friend to Juan and Casa alum, worked on the Casa staff as well as a social worker at Centro Hogar.
Parents involved in Programa Velasco January 2009
Together, Juan and Annie desired to create an opportunity for more children to attend the school as well as bring awareness of the Salvadoran reality to the international community. Juan found an interest in contributing towards a child’s educational expenses within Centro Hogar. Juan shared this idea with his family and friends who then chose to sponsor a child. Shortly thereafter, those contributors spread the idea and opportunity to support Programa Velasco. From Juan’s guidance and initiative to develop the program, the staff at Centro Hogar named the program after him. Within the 2008 school year, Programa Velasco grew to support 33 children through the contributions of 25 sponsors and a number of anonymous donors from the United States, Canada, and Spain.
Children in Programa Velasco 2008
Sponsors of Programa Velasco offer children an empowering and generous gift of education and personal development through contributing to the childrens' school tuition. Families strongly value education as a means to break free from the oppressive bonds of poverty. However, many Salvadoran families are not able to afford early education, elementary or high school expenses. Programa Velasco seeks to provide opportunities for young children to develop self confidence in academic work, necessary educational skills as well as an appreciation for school and learning. Parents and family members also benefit and grow from formative workshops centered on parenting and self empowerment. Sponsors make a monthly contribution of $30 and Salvadoran families pay $12 for one child's tuition. Details of the scholarship and contribution can be found in: Support a Child
