The 2007 Salvadoran School year starts on January 7th, and in addition to TLAU’s 9 former becados who have yet to finish their high school education, 13 new students have been chosen to begin their first year of “bachillerato” with the help of generous donors in the United States and around the world.

For those of you who are in any way unfamiliar with our scholarship program, here’s a little background: Students of the parochial school in Santo Domingo de Guzman who harbor aspirations to professional or semi-professional career paths may apply for full scholarships to attend high school or trade school in their town or in the adjacent large city, Sonsonate. Applications are given to TLAU employee Walter Ulloa, who compiles profiles of each student containing their background information, economic necessity, aspirations, and grades. With an OK from TLAU officers such as myself, Leonard, or Father Keane, the foundation covers the costs of tuition, books, uniforms, supplies, and transportation to and from school. If this seems excessive in any way, remember that without your help, there would be no possiblity of post-grade school education for these young men and women. Furthermore, an entire year of education with all such expenses factored in amounts to a whopping $500, which is nothing compared to education costs for many Americans.

I am currently working on posting pictures of all the becados (so called because a scholarship is called a “beca” in El Salvador) and some profiles on a few to give you an idea of their extremely poor backgrounds. These young men and women have remained diligent and dedicated to their futures in the face of extreme adversity, providing an example for us all.

Pictures and profiles may be found HERE.