Los Héroes Scholarship Program Commitment to the empowerment of families through education has always been a core value of the relationship between the people of Los Héroes and St. John’s. In 2005, the leaders in Los Héroes indicated that they were ready to begin a pilot scholarship program with one student. In 2013, 77 students will participate in the program, 2 of whom are supported by the Los Heroes community.
Photos left to right: Scholars and adults interact at an HIV-Aids training event in Los Heroes; Elementary Scholars in their Los Heroes school uniforms; and Homework for Level 1 Kindergarten.
Quick facts about the program:
The school year runs from January through November (university students have classes in December).
The scholarship helps to cover costs such as transportation, uniforms and shoes for older students, backpacks and supplies which are not covered by government aid. Parents also pay a small percentage of the costs.
The students sign contracts each year and are required to achieve good grades, to read every day, and to attend Sunday School or Youth Group.
The parents sign contracts and are required to attend parent meetings twice per month, to participate in small Bible study groups (men’s or women’s) in their sectors (neighborhoods), to attend worship with their children and to help out with one or more ministries of the church.
Families receive funds once per month.
Thus far, the program has helped 2 students to graduate from the university and several students to graduate from high school. The program has students of all ages, including 21 current university students.
Sponsors can build relationships with individual students, or can make a general donation to the program. Sponsors who are matched up with specific students are encouraged to write to their students 2 or 3 times per year and have the opportunity to travel to El Salvador to meet their students.
