success stories

›› Estela ›› Jesus Olivares Castro ›› Joel and Geiner ›› Lourdes and Rebeca ›› Walter ›› Sponsor a child

Estela started the third grade in April 2006. But two years ago, her mother wasn't sure she'd see her daughter finish the first grade. Estela's father is ill and her mother spends most of her time caring for the family's four children, so what little money the family makes recycling trash goes to food rather than school fees. Thanks to the generous sponsorship donations SKIP has received, 8 years old Estela and her 10 years old brother Santos can realise their right to an education. We're certain that their two younger siblings will follow in Estela and Santos's footsteps when they're ready for school in a few years. On this photo, Estela appears with her brothers, Santos and Abel.

Jesus and her family have been a part of SKIP's program since the beginning. Coming from a single parent family with four siblings, she would have found it difficult to study without the support of SKIP. Jesus graduated in 2005 from primary school and continues to achieve success at the secondary level. She is frequently seen at the SKIP office, receiving help on her homework, or helping other younger children with their own work. Her mother Susana, pictured here with her youngest daughter and Jesus, operates a mobile stand where she sells typical Peruvian fast food. She benefits from a micro-credit loan from SKIP which helps her fund her small enterprise. Using the loan, she is able to buy ingredients in bulk and improve her profit margins.

Joel and Geiner are uncle and nephew respectively, although they're both nine years old. When Geiner was very young his mother died, so he went to live with his maternal grandmother (Joel's mother). Geiner and Joel are best friends and sometimes even friendly rivals, but they are always together – at home, at school, and at SKIP events. If it weren't for support from their SKIP sponsor, the boys' family would never be able to send them to school. This sponsorship pays for the boys' matriculation fee and ensures that they have uniforms, shoes, and school supplies.

Lourdes and Rebeca, aged ten and eleven, lived modestly on one adequate meal a day. Insufficient income to pay for uniforms and registration fees meant they had never been able to attend school. As each year passed, hopes for a better quality of life were being replaced with the prospects to which young uneducated women are subjected in impoverished conditions: crime, teen pregnancy, and domestic violence. But this outlook changed in December 2003 when SKIP was informed about the situation. The girls were selected for sponsorship and were granted a direct entrance into third grade.

Today, Lourdes and Rebeca benefit from an extensive network of resources such as private tutors, academic enrichment classes, weekly visits by a social worker and access to a psychologist. Additionally, a team member frequently meet with their teachers to chart their progress. The girls continue to guarantee their own success. By last year's end, they were rewarded, by their schools and SKIP, for their exemplary efforts, commitment and academic excellence. This year, they have been selected class officials or "brigadiers", responsible for leadership of their classmates.

Walteris just one of many very special SKIP kids who come from a challenging background. He lives in a one room adobe house with his brother Lisandro, also a SKIP kid, and his mother, who is handicapped and gets about on crutches. As a child, Walter suffered from a cleft palate. In addition, Walter has a learning disability that makes it difficult to keep up with the other kids in a normal classroom environment. As a result, Walter is still in first grade despite being ten years old. But Walter's spirit is resilient and his positive attitude is contagious.

Thanks to the support of a generous sponsor, Walter now studies at the Santo Toribio school, where he receives the special attention he needs to overcome his handicap and triumph in life.

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