It has been often quoted; “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” This old quote is very true. Often times when people of good will want to help the poor, whether in this or any other country, they give what they can in a true spirit of generosity. When goods are given, it is sometimes referred to as a “band-aid” solution to a real need. And, we all need band-aids from time to time. Money that is given can also be a “band-aid”, but it may also be the start of something much more substantial.

The stated desire of the Bishop of San Bernardino is that we somehow engage in cultivating a systemic change in the part of Baja we serve through our mission work. This is a tremendous challenge to affect some kind of real change for the better in these peoples lives.

In 2001 we began to think that this kind of systemic change could be hastened through help in education. Many of the children of the poor were not in school basically for two reasons: 1. They couldn’t afford to go. And 2. They were needed in the fields to work side by side with their parents to help support the family. Many Oaxacans were reluctant to send their kids to school. In 2001 we managed to financially sponsor 5 students so they could go to school. In 2002, 20 students were sponsored. In 2003, 81 students. In 2004, 181. Currently we have 200 students on a waiting list. See what’s happening?

Sponsorship for the school year is $100. Per student. It was cut in half from previous years in order to accommodate more students. Money is given in 3 installments. 1st installment is for uniforms and registration fees. (June/July) 2nd installment is for shoes, backpacks and miscellaneous school materials. (December) 3rd installment is for end of school needs, i.e. clothes for promotion ceremony, and depleted school supplies. (March)

Due to the reduction in sponsorship donation per child, each of our participating parishes will do a backpack and school materials drive.

There is a School Sponsorship Team consisting of approximately ten people from our respective staffs. The process is as follows:
Each student must produce a current report card before registering.
Registration form is filled out and a picture is taken of the student.
A uniform voucher and money for registration is given to the parent.
Student’s grade point average is calculated (GPA).
Prizes are given to all those who register. The larger prizes are awarded to those who display academic excellence with higher grade point averages. Currently one third of our students carry a 4.0 G.P.A. The team cheers them on and congratulates them and hopefully gives them incentives. All students are encouraged to continue their hard work and bring up their averages.

You are invited to sponsor a child’s education by responding to this web site. Under the section in the photo gallery named “students”, you will find those in need of sponsorship. As we find sponsors for them, the names of the sponsors will be added to the pictures. If you cannot sponsor at this time you may still help by donating some of our incentive prizes listed here.

Backpacks, pencils, rulers, chalk, lined paper, binders, pens, erasers, or any other school supply items you may think of.