College of Wooster sophomore Catherine Gillette, working with the support of the Center for Entrepreneurship, has founded a literacy and education support program in Copan, Honduras: Children Are Reading, Earning, Succeeding (C.A.R.E.S.)
C.A.R.E.S. seeks to help children in rural Honduras by improving the basic educational opportunities available to them. They do this by providing books and offering a support program that encourages children to read and further explore the joys of learning.
The mission of C.A.R.E.S. is to provide rural Honduran schools with the funds they need to buy books. They are starting in Chonco, a rural community near Copan. The books are bought in Honduras and selected by the teachers. Additionally, C.A.R.E.S. pays students a small amount for every book they read. This is important because children are often pulled out of school at a young age; their parents need them to work in the fields and contribute to their family’s finances instead of getting an education. Since C.A.R.E.S. is paying the children for each book they read, their parents will be encouraged to keep them in school longer and, in turn, to encourage them in their studies. A better education results in better opportunities. C.A.R.E.S. also provides the teacher with a small stipend in gratitude for her participation and hard work.
Future goals for C.A.R.E.S. include supplementing the school lunch program, expanding to other Honduran communities, and adding a scholarship component so that students can continue with their studies beyond what their communities offer.
How can you help?
Support C.A.R.E.S. financially! Become a fan on Facebook!
By making a donation, you help C.A.R.E.S. brighten the futures of countless children and youth. Right now, the Presbyterian Church USA is supporting this effort so that all donations can be tax-deductible while C.A.R.E.S. works to attain independent non-profit status.
Checks should be made out to Presbyterian Church (USA). On the memo line, please write:
“C.A.R.E.S. — H 000041 Heifer/Honduras.” Then send your check to:
C.A.R.E.S.
c/o Catherine Gillette
2606 Salem Drive
Wilmington, DE 19808
Contributions are tax-deductible in the USA.