[2xaround]

Does anyone know about how much it costs to send a teenager to school in Guatemala City?

[Theslaws]

Good question!!! HOpefully you can find out!

[Slatond10]

I do not have accurate information... but I am sponsoring 2 children (2nd grade) and I was told it takes $5 to register for school. The sponsor fee is $150 which is to help them get supplies and clothes!.

Hopefully someone else has better information.

[pjkay720]

I can't tell you about a teenager as the tour guide we used in Guatemala had younger children, but he told us they had to pay a registration fee every year of $2. He didn't say anything about supplies. He said their school year runs from Jan-Oct.

[Theslaws]

bumping....

[euphemie]

My understanding is that school is technically free yet there are inscription fees, books, supplies, required uniforms, proper shoes and sneakers for gym. Some schools require typewriters for the older children and some children have bus fees too. In the Panajachel area depending on the age it would be 120 for younger grades and $00 for older students but I'm not sure what grade that goes to. Graduation can be quite expensive I've heard.

[Mariais5]

We were told approximately $25 per month.. I know the children in the orphanage we sponsor wear school uniforms, so maybe this is a private school? I find it difficult to believe the orphanage could afford private school though..

I traveled with a 15 year old guatemalan boy on one of our trips home.. He was coming to the states to see family.. He told me, 'I am going to Miami to see my.... uhhhhh... She is my uncle, but she is a girl?' It was SO cute.. Anyway, he said they go to school through the summer because it is the rainy season and then get off over Christmas for their summer break.. I know the private schools where a lot of the American (children of missionaries) kids go in GC keep the summer months as their break time..

[AdoptAmiga]

Originally Posted by euphemie

My understanding is that school is technically free yet there are inscription fees, books, supplies, required uniforms, proper shoes and sneakers for gym. Some schools require typewriters for the older children and some children have bus fees.

Yes, and etc. costs. I'm familiar w/ public schools in Mexico, Costa Rica and Chile. Guate most likely has a similiar situation. School is expensive for the average/low wage earner. Usually a family will send the most capable/promising child (usually a boy) to school in hopes of raisng the family's economic sistuation. Private education is cost prohibitive. Uniforms, etc. fees are a requirement for public education.

Sponsoring a child's education is a wonderful gift. We are in the third year of sponsoring** a Guatemalan girl's education and we will follow through until she graduates from secondary school.

** Cost is $30 per month, which includes her schooling and general assistance to her immediate family.

[Excelmom]

I would love to do something like this as well. Does anyone have any particular contacts or organizations that coordinate school sponsoring that are reputable?

Thanks in advance!

[adoptnky]

I would check out Mayan Families. Their school sponsorship program is one of their biggest. They are actually interviewing the kids and their families right now and there will be a new list of kids that will need sponsorship.

My DH and I are sponsoring a 10 year old girl, and DH's work is sponsoring a 9 year old boy. The best thing is that you can then also help the family out in different ways including sending presents down to your family.

PM me if you want more information.

Kim

[brink]

The school aged kids in the orphanage where our children lived go to private school. Public school isn't considered very good, not always books for everyone, etc. I learned on our most recent pick up trip that they get a "discount" or help with the children's tuition. A great percentage of our fees go directly to the orphanage, so out of those funds come the partial tuition for kids to attend school. The school year runs from January through October, with the two month vacation at the end of the year, only slightly longer than or possibly corresponding to the entire country's extended work break. Arrrgggh!

[LJR1974]

Originally Posted by Excelmom

I would love to do something like this as well. Does anyone have any particular contacts or organizations that coordinate school sponsoring that are reputable?

I hope it's not illegal to post this.

On World Vision's site you can choose the child you want to sponsor. You can search by age, country, gender etc. We hope to start this after DS comes home.

[Theslaws]

we found the answer as it pertains to our foster mom's kids. There is an enrollment fee in January of 3000Q ($400 US) with monthly fees of about $65US for a teenager (highschool level). Elementry level is an enrollment fee of 2000Q ($267 US) and a monthly fee of about $45US.

Im sure it varies depending on where the child goes to schoool. These kids go to school in Guatemala city

Thanks for everyones help!!!

[euphemie]

I also sponsor through Mayan Families and I was able to go to my students home to meet her and her family last March. I also decided to sponsor another that I met while there. how every you decide to help will be much appreciated, the need is great.

[neuromri]

I recently attended a play group. They were raising money to help educate children in Guatemala. According to their information, it takes approximately $120 per year to educate a child.