Xela AID understands that education makes it possible to overcome poverty and live a healthier, more abundant life. Xela AID's educational sponsorship program, Proyecto Educativo de Xela AID, or PEX,¯ matches sponsors with children in the rural community of San Martin Chiquita, Guatemala, who wish to attend school.

 

 

Your annual PEX contribution goes directly to the student you select to sponsor. In fact, the monies are hand-delivered to each child and their parent or guardian twice a year, or monthly, depending on the grade level of your student. Your gift goes to pay for tuition, books, and other school supplies. It also assists the family with other necessary purchases such as shoes, sweaters or jackets. Ten percent of your contribution covers the cost of doctor's visits for your student and their family, access to our Study Center and our Internet-powered computer lab.

 

There are four categories of sponsorship, dependent on the grade level of your student: Primary School, Middle School, Technical School, and College. You are welcome to sponsor a child in any category and continue your support through college. You may also choose to sponsor students only within one certain category and so as your student moves into a new category we will attempt to find new sponsors for them.

 

            > Primary School           $375 annually (distributed twice a year)

            > Middle School             $375 annually (distributed twice a year)

            > Technical School         $600 annually (distributed monthly)

            > College                        $1200 annually (distributed monthly)

 

Each PEX student and parent or guardian signs a contract when they join the program, committing to a number of requirements such as attending school, seeking help at Xela AID's Study Center if needed, and other pledges aimed at helping them be successful in school. Each student is required to provide Xela AID with a copy of their most recent school transcript to remain in the program. If a child falls below a 60% grade average in four main courses (language, math, science, and social studies), they understand that they are on probation and will not receive a distribution until the average is raised. A Xela AID representative meets with each child several times a year to try to identify problems early and help avoid the necessity of probation. A child who has been on probation and raises their average to the minimum by the next distribution receives all funds.

We regret that a child who is unable to raise his or her average within six months will be dropped from the program. This is necessary to incent children to make the necessary effort to achieve, and also, to make room in the program for children who are truly devoted to meeting their educational goals. 

 

 

Go to our Children Awaiting Sponsors list, pick a child, and send an email to Pat Maxwell. to get started. She will send you a PEX Welcome Pack telling you a bit more about the program, and what you need to do. It's as easy as that!

 

Come Visit Your Sponsored Child - You are welcome join us on a Volunteer Vacation on any one of the trips that are organized over a year and meet your student in person. The students will often ask if their padrino¯ or padrina¯ has come to vist, and they are eager to greet and welcome you in person. And, they will sometimes draw pictures or make weavings for us to give to their sponsor when we get back home.

 

Sending Gifts - You are welcome to send a gift to your student for birthdays or holidays. Instructions on how to do that will be included in your Welcome Pack, along with additional information.  

 

In another part of the world a wise man wrote:

 

 

A PEX sponsorship is a gift that lasts lifetimes! Thank you for considering joining our program.

If you have questions about PEX sponsorship, feel free to contact Pat Maxwell.