las marias primary & secondary school

Who : Children from the street and from disadvantaged, rural families in Nicaragua. More than 300 children benefit from this program each year.

How : The program offers an academic, primary and secondary, curriculum for students. 25% of students originate from rural, disadvantaged regions and become board students, an unique opportunity without which they wouldn't have access to education.

In addition, the "Neo Vida" program, intended for the students and their families, endeavors to help them reinforce their social abilities or to prevent/confront the risks associated with their situation (alcoholism, domestic violence, unemployment, etc.)

The program is facilitated by psychologists, youth workers and teachers who help the children improve their awareness of the values of life within their communities and encourage their personal growth. The program is developed with the close cooperation of families, who actively participate in the various education and prevention activities.

The program is accredited by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports.

Why : The children who participate in this program would otherwise receive limited or no education. The program aims to provide these children with an education through the secondary level and give them the personal abilities and values necessary to reduce risk factors which could otherwise lead them to labor exploitation, sexual exploitation, drug abuse, illiteracy, violence and other anti-social problems.

It also endeavors to increase protection factors critical to the achievement of social and professional stability.