Our Guatemala Scholarship Fundraising campaign is underway! From now through October 20th, we will be pursuing our goal of continuing to support 94 students in grades 7-12, and doubling the number of university scholars from two to four. Since its launch in 2005, this program has helped 186 students to graduate from high school - in a country where free public education goes only to sixth grade. If you believe that education can change lives, this is one of the highest-impact giving opportunities you will find.
Education beyond sixth grade is rare in the rural communities of our partner churches in the Boca Cost Presbytery, because very few parents can afford it. Our scholarship program - providing $485 per student in grades 7-12 and $1,000 per university student - changes that calculus, one student at a time. Donations of any amount are welcome - you don't have to fund an entire scholarship, and you do not need to pay your entire planned amount this fall. You can donate by:
Placing a check in the offering plate;
Mailing or delivering a check to the church; or
Making a secure contribution online.
Please make checks payable to FPCHC and write “Guatemala Scholarships” on the memo line. Completing an orange pledge card is also helpful for our planning purposes.
How do these scholarships change lives? Here is an excerpt of a letter from one former scholarship recipient, Nilson, who graduated in 2014. Nilson is now 29 years old and is pursuing a Master's in Human Talent Management while also working professionally as an Accounting Expert.
For me it has been a great experience to have grown professionally with the help that each of you gave me, for which I am very grateful. I am happy to hear that you continue to contribute and support more young people to achieve their goals and objectives. I hope with all my heart that God will reward you for all the support given to me and to all the young people who have been able to grow in their personal and professional lives.
You can read Nilson's full letter below.
Thank you for your generous support of this life-changing program! Questions can be directed to guatemala@firstpreshc.org or contact Becky Torrance or Cheryl Foust.
Letter from Scholarship recipient: Nilson - June 2024
Good morning, it's a pleasure to greet you and wishing you the best of days.
My name is Nilson. I am originally from a small La Ladrillera Village, San Pablo Jocopilas, Suchitepequez, Guatemala. I am 28 years old and I will turn 29 in the coming days of this month.
It is a pleasure for me to be able to address you and know that you are visiting our town. I am one of the former scholarship recipients who graduated in 2014 and who was given the confidence to continue my student career, for which I feel very grateful. for the support received for me and my family. In which he was of great help in completing my professional career which is an Accounting Expert with Computer Orientation, this has helped me have a stable job and continue growing professionally.
My first job was in a financial institution BANRURAL S.A. I started on 09/05/2016 as a cashier at the Samayac Agency, Suchitepequez where I had many experiences and was able to acquire new knowledge that helped me grow professionally and throughout the year. In 2019 I was promoted as a Business Agent (Credit Advisor) I had the joy of working for the institution for 7 years and 5 months which helped me continue studying the university degree as a Bachelor of Business Administration at the Da Vinci Mazatenango University, where I am waiting to receive the degree that accredits me as a Bachelor of Business Administration in the current year and I was able to continue with the university degree of the Master's Degree in Human Talent Management which I need a year to be able to complete the degree and thus receive the title of the Master's Degree in Human Talent Management which I had to give pause in my career for the reason that I started a business where I generated expenses to start the business. For this reason, the pause in my professional career was because of the expenses that I had to cover.
I am currently working for a large financial institution called Banco de Antigua, where I hold the position as Financial Advisor of Commercial Alliances in which I have been working for 2 months and acquiring new knowledge of said institution.
For me it has been a great experience to have grown professionally with the help that each of you gave me, for which I am very grateful, I do not have to repay you with the great blessing that you gave me. I am happy to hear that they continue to contribute and support more young people to achieve their goals and objectives.
I say goodbye to you, hoping with all my heart that God will reward you for all the support given to me and to all the young people who have been able to grow in their personal and professional lives. I send a warm hug to each of those present and those who could not attend, wishing them success in everything they do.
Postscript
I would have loved to be able to share and attend the event, to be able to take some photographs with you. If God allows it and grants me the privilege of being able to travel and meet everyone who makes this scholarship program possible. Nilson says goodbye to you, wishing you an excellent day. Blessings.
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