San Felipe Book Buddies:
Project Updates

Student to Student A Scholarship/Penpal Project

The year 2001 marked a change of direction for the support provided by some of the schools in the Sacramento area. Through the presentations given by Kay and Bill, the Sacramento students had learned that many children in San Felipe do not finish junior high or high school. In the poorest areas, many students drop out of school upon the completion of sixth grade. Therefore, several Book Buddy schools decided to help struggling families by paying the secondary school tuition and helping with the uniform and other school expenses which are compulsory in seventh grade in San Felipe.

Kay and Bill went to each of the elementary schools in San Felipe and to the Social Services to gather the names of sixth grade students who needed financial assistance at the junior high school level. Students were selected on the basis of need, grades, and desire to continue in school. Pictures of and letters from the San Felipe students were sent to the sponsoring classes in Sacramento.

Later, the sponsored San Felipe students were given disposable cameras to take pictures of families, friends, and school activities. The sponsoring classes in Sacramento took on the responsibility of raising $100.00 (USD) each year to help their student continue in school through 12th grade. In addition, they also write letters and may send Christmas, birthday cards, and gifts to the student they are helping.

The sponsoring schools are committed to helping the students they are sponsoring for six years. When a class graduates, the sponsorship will be transferred to the incoming kindergarten class.

The major goal of the program is, of course, to help and encourage San Felipe students to continue their education so that they can obtain a higher standard of living. It is also hoped that by corresponding with their friends in the United States the students will find the encouragement they need to stay in school when they are tempted to abandon the effort.

In turn, by helping others to succeed, the sponsoring students will develop a greater understanding of the value of education in their own lives. The program gives both groups the opportunity to use another language in a real life situation and to develop greater understanding between the two cultures.

Your school can participate too! Encourage your students to share cultural experiences, learn to value their education, and share in the joy of kindness by sponsoring students in San Felipe. Please contact Kay Gabbard to help organize participation.

There are a number of schools in San Felipe that could use Book Buddies. For a complete list of San Felipe schools visit the Schools page on the San Felipe web site.

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Project Coordinator: Kay Gabbard
gabbard@sanfelipe.com.mx