Adopt-a-Student Update

   About a month ago, I stepped into a new role here at New Song as I began overseeing our Adopt-a-Student program here on the Nicaraguan side. It has been a HUGE undertaking, but it is something that I really love being a part of. As a former teacher, I have always had a heart for education and seen it as an absolute necessity to ending poverty. Many of our children here in Candelaria are unable to receive consistent education. Because kids are in school one year and our the next, it is not uncommon to see 16 year olds in the same grade as 10 year olds. Many of the children are unable to remain in school every year due to inability to buy the needed school supplies, untreated illnesses that cause them to fall behind in their classes, and students that stop studying in order to work and help put food on the table.
   Understanding that education is a long-term key to ending poverty in Nicaragua, New Song wanted to develop a program that would provide children and teenagers with the stability needed to continue their education. Several years ago, New Song began a program to “adopt” students. Through our Adopt-a-Student program, donors are matched with a child to sponsor. The sponsorship money given will purchase a school uniform, backpack, and needed school supplies. The money will also cover the cost of medical and dental care for the sponsored child through our mission’s clinic and can help provide food provisions to families who are in desperate need of food. This program is designed to remove some of the financial roadblocks that hinder our students from being able to complete their education. With a proper education, these young people can find stable work and provide a better future for their children.
    Children who are sponsored are required to remain an active member of our church community, continue in their studies, and maintain passing grades in their classes. The university students, because they are receiving a greater amount of money through the program, are required to give back to the community with at least 10 hours of community service each month. Each student can choose their own means of service. We have university students who are teaching dance classes to the younger girls, helping with our powerpoint preparation for church services, an education major teaching adult literacy classes in our outreach villages, and an accounting major helping with the mission’s accounting work (just to name a few).
  Children can be sponsored through our Adopt-a-Student program for $25/month for elementary and secondary students, $70/month for trade school students, and $100/month for university students. If you are interested in joining this program, check out our Adopt-a-Student website or email me at [email protected]

  Besides the fact that I am a proponent of any program that supports and encourages education, I also I really love that this program is helping to connect me with more of the children in the village. For the last year, I have only had relationships with a handful of children who are literally on our property everyday. Now, I am getting to know and building relationships with tons of the kids in Candelaria. Of course, this does mean that I am now mobbed by children every time I step out of the house. Those of you who know me well, know that I have always had a heart for children and have been longing to move into more work with them here in Nicaragua. I still spend the majority of my time here with the youth, but helping with this program has provided a way to transition into more work with the children of the village as well. For that I am grateful.

   In this past month, we have seen 10 new children sponsored which brings us to a total of 41 children and teenagers sponsored for elementary, high school, and university studies. We are still looking for sponsors for about 90 more children.

   As the new school year started in February, we were able to have a school supplies give-away day where we provided bookbags, uniforms, and school supplies to all of our sponsored students as well as bookbags and basic school supplies for our other faithful children who are still awaiting sponsors. Families are ecstatic to receive this help! Many parents had been wondering how they would be able to provide for their children to begin school.

   One of our newly sponsored girls, Gisel Rios, was able to visit the clinic this week. She had been suffering from a toothache for several weeks that her family could not afford to treat. When the pain was extreme, Gisel would miss school. When Gisel’s mother learned that Gisel has been sponsored and could receive free medical care, she praised the Lord for this gift and immediately brought Gisel to the clinic where she had her cavity filled and her pain stopped.

   As I talked with the children and their families, I found that several of our students are still struggling in their classes even with the help they are receiving. So, I have started a new aspect of the ministry, putting my own education to use, and offering tutoring to those students who need extra help in their classes. I am currently tutoring two girls in math and a boy in English. I have told all of our sponsored students to come and talk to me if they are falling behind in a class and need remediation.

   As I mentioned above, we still have around 90 students in need of sponsorship. Here are a few of the beautiful faces of children who could use your help. Your tax-deductible giving would provide hope for students to achieve their dreams and to provide a better life for future generations.

Elena Gisel Cadena Cerna: age 6
   Elena lives with her grandmother and her brother. She is in her last year of preschool and will begin studying at the primary school (1st grade) next year. Elena’s mother abandoned her and her brother leaving them under the care of their grandmother. Elena loves her grandma very much, but it is difficult for her to provide for two young children. Elena wants to continue studying and one day become a teacher. You can help her reach these dreams by becoming a sponsor.

Carlos Gillermo Tellez Aleman: age 7
   Carlos lives with his mom. He is in the 2nd grade, math is his favorite class, and he dreams of becoming a doctor. The family has a great deal of financial need because Carlos’s grandfather is the main provider for the family, but he is often unable to work because he is suffering from renal failure. When he is able to work they family has money for food and other basic needs, but when he is unable to work the family really struggles to survive.

Indira Gisel Martinez Sanchez, age 11
  Indira lives with her mom, dad, and two brothers. She is in her first year of secondary school. Indira is an excellent student, enjoys her Spanish classes the most, and dreams of studying business administration in order to one day run her own store. Indira is an active part of our church community has become very involved with our young girls’ dance ministry team. Her family is very close and loving, but her father is sick with renal failure which often leaves him unable to work and creates financial difficulties for their family.

Holman Ramon Campos Martinez: age 13
   Holman lives with his mother, father, and his two brothers. He is just now beginning his first year of secondary school (the US equivalent of 7th grade). Holman has been in and out of school due to untreated illnesses and lack of school supplies. The Adopt-a-Student program would provide him with the stability and resources needed to complete his education. Holman enjoys studying math and science and dreams of becoming a mechanic. In his spare time, he loves to play soccer. Holman is also now becoming involved in our youth group and joining with the dance ministry team.

   If you would like to adopt a child listed above, please email me at [email protected]