Nancy from St. Peter's Church in Kansas City and Héctor
This is not your average scholarship program.
It does more than enable disadvantaged youth to gain a classroom education at the primary, secondary and university levels. Student scholars develop leadership skills and their social conscience, and “give back” to their communities. This growth prepares them to contribute to positive transformation in El Salvador.
When they begin the program, many of the youths see migration or joining a gang as the only options for their future. But we encourage them to imagine a different future and aspire to more. Accompanying the youth, especially in high risk contexts, is an invaluable part of the program.
With the support of 20 donor communities and other individuals abroad, the CIS supported 500 youth scholars from 27 communities in 2019. 60% were at the grade and high school levels, and 40% were at the university level.
How does the CIS Scholarship Program Work?
The Local Salvadoran Committee
Each community where the CIS works forms a local scholarship committee. It meets to supervise the community service projects, organize leadership development training and activities, visit each student’s home, and resolve relevant issues. The local scholarship committee selects student scholarship recipients based on the following criteria:
Economic need
Commitment to social change
At least 50% of scholarships recipients in each community must be female
Grades: A minimum grade average of 70% for university-level student scholars.
Commitment to participation in activities organized by their community’s scholarship committee.
International Solidarity Partners
Ideally each participating community in El Salvador has at least one long-term international solidarity partner organization, institution, church or foundation abroad. A committee of its members sets a goal for the number of students it will support through multi-year scholarships and raises funds. The committee facilitates communication between students, donors, and the CIS.
Ideally, the committee organizes an annual delegation to El Salvador for organization members to meet the student scholars and learn about how they are contributing to human development in their communities.
In El Salvador, CIS grassroots organizers coordinate communication with the international solidarity partners, activities by the CIS, and work among the communities.
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Leadership Workshops
Student scholars participate in a training program given by CIS grassroots organizers to develop critical thinking, leadership skills, and an understanding of subjects underrepresented in the school curriculum, including gender relations, conflict resolution, human rights, the environment, and analysis of current conditions and root causes. This prepares them to use their education to be leaders for positive social transformation in their communities and in El Salvador.
An annual retreat convenes the student scholars from each participating community to share their experiences and learn from each other.
Students give back to their community by developing a community service project each year.
Together, these projects reach and involve thousands of community members.
Students put into practice the leadership skills and concepts they are learning, and learn to value the knowledge within their communities.
Here are some examples:
Environmental and Water Projects: Educational workshops, monitoring proper use of water filters and purifiers, tree-planting, organic gardening, recycling, and garbage clean-up.
Tutoring and classes for youth in a variety of subjects, including computer skills, English, Literacy, and Robotics.
Scholarship committee administrative support, including the coordination of monthly distribution of scholarship funds and writing student profiles.
Facilitating Workshops in human rights, violence prevention, global warming, sexual health, and the use of social media for social good.
Health: Assisting the local clinic with activities that reduce the mosquito population and with administrative tasks.
Art and Mental Health: Working with youth to develop creative skills and also address trauma of being victims or witnesses to violence in the home or their community.
Small Local Libraries: Creating and developing central locations that offer books, reading programs, and access to computers.
In 2019, 104 students graduated: 82 from high school and 22 with a university degree.
Special congratulations to university and vocational graduates:
Estanzuelas
Yesenia Patricia Arias in English;
Oscar Coreas in Psychology;
Alfredo Ostorga in Computer Networking;
Comasagua
William Alfaro in Computer Engineering;
San Pablo Tacachico
Deysi Pineda in Business Administration;
Mejicanos
Diana Rivas in Graphic Design;
Enrique Perez in Mechanical Engineering;
Karina Benitez in Education;
Karla Salazar in Social Work;
Communidad Ellacuria
Marina Rivera in Nutrition;
Johana Ramos in Agro-industrial Engineering;
Anibal Hernandez in English;
San Pedro Perulapan
Wilman Lopez in Natural Science;
Ligia Cornejo in Journalism;
Norma Hernandez in Literature;
Abelardo Delgado and Isabel Garcia
both in Tourism Management;
San Jose Palo Grande,
Suchitoto
Maria Azucena Henriquez
in English;
Tamanique
Yordi Croy Cruz with a technical degree in Software;
Communidad Romero,
Tonacatepeque
Miriam Merino in English;
Saul Alexander Vasquez
in English.
Student Testimonials
“Thanks to the CIS program, I began studying a University degree in Environmental Health this year (2020). I chose this field because through the CIS program I learned about the impact and importance of respecting the environment.
Last year the scholarship students in my village organized to get garbage picked up for the first time. Imagine, the mayor was calling us scholarship students weekly to coordinate, and the city council member of our village never put this on the city council agenda.
Our scholarship committee and students also organize health, hygiene and environmental workshops and the distribution of water filters.”
- Kely Tatiana Menjívar Guillen, Llano Largo, Jutiapa.
“Thanks to the CIS, I am studying Accounting at the National University and have been able to support my community.
Some of the service projects I am involved in include a study group for children who are behind in school, literacy classes for adult women, the Round Table on Violence Prevention in Tonacatepeque, and supporting the formation of a women’s cooperative in our town.
These projects have helped me and other youth improve our community and gain many new skills. My leadership has allowed me to build trust with my neighbors and I was even elected community president.”
-Carmen, University Scholarship Student, Romero Community, Tonacatepeque
How can you get involved?
Option 1: Organize Your Community to Fund Scholarships in a New Partner Community
We are working in communities in need that are organized, but lack an international solidarity partner for a scholarship program.
Make a long-term commitment with your organization (church, community, group, foundation, etc.) or as an individual to support a scholarship program.
You can start a program that supports as few as five students.
Option 2: Contribute an individual donation or bequeathment to the CIS General Scholarship Fund.
Your support will enable more students to access a scholarship, especially where we do not yet have a partner abroad. Funding a high school student is a three-year commitment of $300.00/year. For the university level, it is a six-year commitment of $1,200.00/year. Costs may vary according to the district or program of study.
Contributions to the General Fund also support the CIS School for Solidarity and Social Transformation, a six-month leadership development course for two young leaders per community. Topics in the course include the environment, gender equality and non-violence.
Option 3: Support the Grassroots Organizers
The success of the Youth Scholarships and Leadership Development Program is due in large part to our grassroots organizers who work in the communities, accompanying, coaching and teaching the students. They are the essential link among the local scholarship committees, the students, the CIS, and the international solidarity partners.
Your contributions to this fund help us pay their organizing expenses, salaries, health care and other benefits.
Option 4: Contribute to the Annual Forum for Student Scholars
Each year we convene a retreat with the scholarship recipients from all over the country. There they share their experiences and learn from one another. Your contributions to this fund help us pay for their lodging, transportation, food and materials.
The CIS also invites solidarity partners to participate and send 1-2 representatives.
Tax deductible donations can be made to:
Los Olivos CIS PO Box 76 Westmount, IL 60559, USA
Or click the button below to donate with a credit card on our website:
Sponsors’ Experiences
“I have learned through the appreciation of the recipients of scholarships just how important an education is for life’s success.
Prior to my experience in El Salvador, I just took for granted the value of an education.
We know that this is truly a gift for life and we are so pleased to help provide this gift to so many deserving young women and men.”
- Father Gerald Waris
“Several of us [in the group] have now visited San Pablo Tacachico. Upon seeing the needs and meeting with the students and their families, we have increased our financial support.
We have learned so much from our visits to El Salvador and San Pablo Tacachico that we have been able to educate our community about economic policies and international agreements that exacerbate inequality and injustice.”
-Pasadena/El Salvador Committee
20 communities in 10 states
of the United States and Canada
are making education possible
for 500 Salvadoran students.
Maria Isabel, Anna from the Foundation for Cultural Exchange in Colorado and Abelardo
Eva and Jim from St. Patrick's Church in Kansas City.
Scholarship beneficiaries during 2023 and their sponsors:
| Scholarship programs 2023 | Thank you solidarity partners!!! |
|---|---|
| Cinquera | St. Sabina, KC |
| Comunidad Ellacuría, Chalatenango | Notre Dame Prep School, MD Friends of Ellacuria Servants' Entrance Outreach Ministry, MI |
| Estanzuelas | St. Patrick’s Church, KC, MO |
| Tamanique | Assumption Church, Granger, IA |
| San Rafael Cedros | Our Lady of Presentation, KC, MO |
| Comasagua | Resurrection Church, Solon, OH University of Toledo, OH |
| San Pedro Perulapán | Foundation for Cultural Exchange, CO |
| San Pablo Tacachico – ADEMGUAPE | Pasadena Committee, CA |
| Romero Community, Tonacatepeque | St. Elizabeth’s Parish, KC, MO |
| Paso Puente, Tonacatepeque | Holy Spirit and St Elizabeth |
| Distrito Italia, Tonacatepeque | Holy Spirit, CIS, PazSalud |
| Residencial Libertad, Tonacatepeque | St. Elizabeth and CIS scholarship fund |
| Isla El Espíritu Santo, Puerto El Triunfo | Rainbow of Hope for Children, Canada |
| San Francisco de Asís Parish, Mejicanos | St. Peter’s Church, KC, MO |
| San José Palo Grande, Suchitoto | St. Elizabeth’s Parish, KC, MO |
| Artisans– Jaragua,Jesus Obrero, and Las Tinecas | REVY Fair Trade, Cleveland, OH |
| Isla Tasajera, San Luis la Herradura | First Congregational United Church of Christ, Eugene, OR |
| Tehuiste, San Pedro Nonualco | Caminos de Accion |
| Llano Largo, Jutiapa | Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, CIS Scholarship fund |
| San Isidro, Cabanas | CIS Scholarship Fund (1 St. Sabina) |
| Ita Maura Community San Pablo Tacachico | St. Regis Church, KC, MO |
| Misc Scholarships: El Congo, Cuscatancingo, Los Hoyos, Ilopango, and San Salvador | CIS scholarship fund |
| Guayacan | Holy Spirit Parish, KC,MO |
| TOTAL OF SCHOLARSHIPS | 535 |
* Includes K- high school
Scholarship Retreats
The CIS organized its 10th Annual Scholarship Retreat with the participation of 105 students from 18 municipalities, CIS promoters, and Jim Koger from St. Patrick’s Church.
The focus of this year’s retreat was gender equality and human rights. The 3-day event was organized by a team of scholarship students, building their leadership and organizational skills.
This 2023, CIS organized 11th Annual Scholarship Retreat with the participation of 130 scholarship holders from different communities and municipalities, and CIS promoters and Staff.
The focus of this year’s retreat was human rights currently situation in the country. The 3-day event was organized by a team of scholarship students and our staff to raising awareness among youth people about their human rights and how to prevent violation of them.
Let’s watch a brief clip of our 11th Annual Scholarship Retreat (English subtitiles available):
How Did the Scholarship Program Begin?
In 1996, the CIS began a program to support grassroots organizing. The communities we worked with told us that they had a strong commitment to social justice and human rights, but they could not put food on the table.
We discussed options with the communities and our international solidarity partners and proposed a Youth Scholarships and Leadership Development Program, as well as the Women’s Small Businesses Program. These programs were to be tools for empowering local communities to be protagonists in their own development.
The first CIS-supported scholarship program began in Cinquera, Cabañas in 1997. The program paid the transportation costs for youths to go to junior high and high school in neighboring municipalities. We were moved by the story of Antonio Alvarenga, a young man from Cinquera.
As a young man he had had no option but to go off to war, despite suffering from physical ailments. When the war ended, Antonio wanted to realize his dream of studying to become a doctor. However, there was no money and he was told he would have to work in the fields. As a result CIS partner St. Robert Bellarmine set up a scholarship fund in his name.
A high school did not even exist in Cinquera until 2012. As of 2011, 23 students from Cinquera had graduated with a university degree.
In 2001, after two devastating earthquakes, we received donations for emergency aid, organizing, and development. We were looking to invest small donations in projects that would have a long-term impact, instead of giving hand-outs to resolve immediate needs. When we visited the municipality of Estanzuelas, Usulután to discuss options, the mayor told us he did not want “rice and beans” -- a donation that would only meet peoples’ needs for a few days. Instead, he asked that the funds be invested in education so that the communities could begin to solve their own problems. Thus began the second program.
*With a great deal of support from Father Jerry Waris, we have been able to develop about 20 international solidarity partnerships that support the Program. At least five additional communities we work with in El Salvador who have an organizational base, economic need, and a commitment to youth development, but are in need of long-term partners in order to transform their communities.