1. The project was created in 2005 as an initiative of a member of the Guatemala Vista Hermosa Rotary Club. In that community only 60% of the students who finish elementary school continue to middle school. Only 50% of those who finish middle school continue to high school. This is mostly due to the lack of financial resources.

3. Santo Domingo Xenacoj, is a town of the province of Sacatepequez, located 25 miles NW of Guatemala City

4. The town has a population of 12,000. Every year 500 children complete elementary school education.

5. In 5 years the project has benefited: 20059 students 200615 students 200717 students 200817 students 200924 students

6. From the total, 2 students have attended high school. This resulted in the first student graduating as a Secretary in 2008 and the second one as an Accountant in 2009. The total students receiving the benefit from the program would not be attending middle school, if they didn’t have the scholarships we provide them. The urgency and need continues since every year there are about 500 new students going from elementary school into middle school, and more than half drop out because they lack financial resources.

7. The project must continue because: Free education offered by the Government does not contemplate materials The measure take by the current Government of offering “free education by all means” has resulted in schools with more students and more debts The plans for “totally free education” has resulted in frustrated programs that were promoted (financed) by parents, teachers and/or directors) Government programs have resulted in red numbers specially in materials and daily snack See the following links: http://www.elperiodico.com.gt/es/20090121/pais/87494 http://www.elperiodico.com.gt/es/20090803/pais/109135/ http://www.elperiodico.com.gt/es/20090112/pais/86017 http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2009/julio/26/325162.html http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2009/octubre/01/345642.html

11. The program must continue and if possible should be expanded due to the growing demand to avoid youngsters from dropping out and not being able to adequately incorporate to a work force that is always becoming more demanding and competitive. Besides that, if they continue in school the risk of them joining gangs (“maras”) or groups of felons, drops dramatically.