The only real and effective way to eradicate poverty and assure proper community development is through education, a fundamental human right, which is recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations.

In poor countries, not all people have the privilege to access education. There are many reasons for this, including: the necessity to begin work at a young age; the shortage of adequate infrastructure and trained teachers, who must also fulfill many other tasks and attend to various grades at the same time (often the teacher must also act as the school nurse and attend to the cafeteria, among other things); the distance of educational centers and the impossibility to access them in suitable transportation, mainly in rural and mountainous areas (many children who live in these areas travel hours by foot or horse to get to school, which is not only a way to access education, but also to obtain a plate of food as well.)

The goal of this program is to assure that needy children, youths, and parents receive the necessary education to become fully productive members of their communities and of society. It is also vital to educate parents about the importance of acquiring a proper education for their children, and to support them in this acquisition, while instilling values that allow for the full and healthy development of each child. Activities for early learning and stimulation in the home are a critical factor to help prepare children of low-income families so that they may be ready to start school at the appropriate time and may improve their attendance and future performance in primary school.

We must remember that it is necessary to continue to raise awareness amongst governments and within society in general about the relevance of education as a method to eliminate poverty and to further develop communities.

Recipients

At-risk children, adolescents, and families.

Objectives

Prevent school drop-outs and improve the quality of learning.

Respect and value the rights of children.

Promote the training of parents to improve the personal growth and development of their children.

Reinforce and affirm self-esteem, emotional balance, development of creativity and a thoughtful and critical mind in children.

Encourage children to go back to school.

Promote the improvement of relationships between family members and the proper identification of familial roles.

Develop a social and ecological conscience within children and their families.

Support the integration of parents as active members into society, who can then transmit these values to their children.

Strengthen social and educational aid.

Stimulate social integration of individuals and their families.

Encourage adolescents and parents to complete their education and foster self-initiative.

Methodology

School support workshops.

Workshops on arts and crafts (such as sculpture and painting) and caring for the environment.

Development of recreational activities.

Verbal and bodily expression (such as music and theater).

Training to parents in the education and development of their children.

Group and family activities which promote unity amongst members of families and society.

Educational advising to children and their families.

School for parents.

Workshops on occupational and job training for young adults and parents.

The program will have a development to medium and long time limit, year after year the results obtained in the course of the same one will be analyzed to achieve a continuous evolution and growth

Location

Countries of action: Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay.