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THE MISSION: To identify, select, sponsor, and provide support to underprivileged young girls who wish to gain access and permanence into an informal and/or alternative educational system in the metropolitan area of Quito. BACKGROUND: Many families from rural and impoverished areas of Ecuador, regard the education of the younger members of the household as less than an immediate priority. This disturbing tendency is recurrent for young girls who are discouraged from pursuing an education while their male siblings are more likely to continue onto some type of formal, informal, and/or vocational education. In the summer of 2009, Lourdes Castro, Sole’s Academic Coordinator, met a young girl named Rosa Isabel in this very situation. Lourdes quickly recognized Rosa's potential and aspirations to continue in school. Consequently, she turned to her extensive list of professional and personal contacts, here in Ecuador and abroad, to help Rosa Isabel gain academic access and permanence in an informal educational institution. Thanks to the benevolent response of one individual from abroad who took on the role of Sponsor, Rosa is now registered and attending 7th grade in an educational institution fully recognized by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education. Her goal is to graduate in 6 years and obtain a high school diploma.
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STATEMENT By Lourdes Castro
“It’s certainly a challenge to simultaneously play the role of: advocate, supervisor, mediator, and tutor to a young girl; however, there is nothing as rewarding as witnessing a young person becoming aware and excited of a possible brighter future for her and her family. I'm grateful to the sponsors for their pledges and donations, and everyone else involved in this project, who have made this valuable experience possible for Rosa Isabel and myself." Lourdes Castro, SOLE Academic Coordinator
SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS School Registration (fees, ID card, photos) SOLEcuador's Academic Sponsorship Program is a personal initiative of Lourdes Castro who is an active advocate for social and academic equity among less privileged youths. She provides sponsored youths with academic and personal follow-up support, as well as, regular performance reports for the families and sponsors. |
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©2009 SOLECUADOR - Design: Pindaro Cabrera