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Nurturing Ambitious Children in Costa Rica
Picture a village where there are no education opportunities beyond the 6th grade. A place where most students don’t have a place to study or do their homework. When the children do leave school, at grade 6 or earlier, they begin working with their family in the fields, home, or wherever the most help is needed. In this village (Dota region of Costa Rica), a carefree childhood is not an option.
Now imagine selecting a small group of children each year from this same village that are given the funding, support, and resources necessary to attend a top-notch secondary school in nearby Santa Maria. That’s exactly what Young Dreamer Network is doing. Not only are these children provided financial support to further their education, but they are given the mentorship and encouragement necessary for success. These children are becoming leaders in their community, and a source of inspiration for their family and peers.
The scholarship program funds their tuition, uniforms, shoes, supplies, materials, class trips, transportation to and from school, and any other educational needs that arise. Young Dreamer Network is in close partnership with a local organization called Santos Tour, which serves as a type of "case worker" for these children, keeping up with their progress and providing extra attention around exams.
The first full of class of scholarship recipients will be selected in January of 2012, which is the official launch date of YDN Costa Rica. However, we decided to pre-launch the program this year based on one bright star—Jordy.
This kid is incredible. When he realized he wasn’t going to be able to stay in school, he committed himself to learning English and working with the volunteers who would come to town every once in awhile. He received nothing for this work, but he knew it was his opportunity to practice English, learn from others and get noticed. Jordy works his tail off every day, picking coffee with his dad, doing service projects with volunteers and studying in a distance learning program. He has obviously fallen behind in school, but he has done whatever he could to maintain some level of progress because he had faith that one day he would have the opportunity to get back in school and make something of himself for his family and his community. This kid is smart cognitively, confident, hopeful and so happy to be alive every day.
When we first heard about him we knew we had to find a way to help him. He would be the pioneer of the Young Dreamer Network in Costa Rica. There was no budget for a Costa Rica scholarship this year, but we felt certain that this was the right thing to do and that a solution would present itself. Then along came Aura DeMare. Aura was a particiant in our volunteer trip in March of this year and had raised money prior to the trip to support the village in some way. When she met Jordy and heard the story, she immediately pledged her funds to his scholarship. Aura, Young Dreamer Network, and Jordy have begun the process of transforming this region of Costa Rica by providing educational opportunities to children who otherwise wouldn't have them.
The Young Dreamer Network will soon support dozens of teens in the Dota region of Costa Rica, and we are constantly searching for ways to support them in the pursuit of their dreams. Consider helping us to begin the scholarship fund for Costa Rican children.
Hopeful for a Scholarship
Students like these are studying hard and hopeful that we will support them after they graduate from elementary school. You can make that possible. Sponsor a child in Costa Rica
The Youngest Dreamers
We take groups of volunteers to Costa Rica every year to serve the community. Our work typically focuses on these elementary students. Join us - Volunteer in Costa Rica
Jordy
This is a picture of Jordy, who is described above. He is so grateful to have a scholarship and the opportunity to achieve his dreams. See our interview with Jordy
Your Trip to Costa Rica
These children and their families need your support and are waiting for you with open arms to come visit their community. One of our volunteers describes her experience. Play Video
Meet a Volunteer
Interview with Jordy
Costa Rica
Ghana
Guatemala
India
Vietnam
Your ExperienceDream Volunteers is made up of people who love to travel, strive to make a difference in the lives of others and have a thirst for experiencing new cultures. Dream Volunteers has been running volunteer trips to Africa, Latin America and India since 2007. The mission is to provide volunteers with a unique cultural experience, exposure to a new part of the globe and the opportunity to open their hearts and minds to the realities of the developing world. We have set up a long-term presence in the communities we serve, focusing our efforts on education and youth development. Our trips entail a combination of volunteer work, cultural activities and site-seeing.
