Gladys Suyapa and Jose Maria Pineda Hernández

Gladys and Jose are from a family living in one of the barrios (suburbs) of Santa Cruz. A former teacher told them of our program and they came to Centro de Enseñanza Fraternidad to see what it was like. Happily, they found the program enjoyable and useful. Jose, especially, enjoys the chance to work on a computer in addition to learning the Grade Seven material. They are the first in their family to go beyond Grade Six.

Jose and Gladys are two of seven children. One of the older boys is working in the United States and three younger children are in primary school. They live in a one room house built of wooden planks.

At eighteen years of age, Gladys is fortunate to have this opportunity to continue studying. Other than coming to school, her day consists of helping her mother with the tasks of keeping the household running. Jose, fourteen, helps his father.

Their father makes a living by cutting and carrying firewood. He walks two hours to the area where he can cut a bundle of wood. He then returns to Santa Cruz where he sells the load for about $3.00. When Jose helps, they can nearly double their return load. Obviously, there is no money for further education which makes our program such a wonderful opportunity.

If they are able, they can now think of continuing schooling beyond Grade 9. We are fortunate to be able to offer these two children a chance to consider other alternatives for their lives.