We are announcing a new product and a new initiative, the "Adelante" ("forward" in Spanish) bracelet. We are contracting with girls who are studying in Jr. High or High school to make the bracelets. The money will be used to help them fund their schooling costs.
Statistics show that over one third of children in Baja California (the Mexican state where Tijuana is located) do not study after the 6th grade. Of those who start the Jr. High only 70% graduate. Only 48% of students in Baja California complete high school.
The Mexican constitution states that education through the secundaria (equivalent to Jr. High) is provided for all children. The reality is that there are too few schools and many of the children do not pass the entrance test required for entrance in the public schools. Others do not continue studying because of the cost. While the government provides the school building and teachers, all other costs of running the school are paid directly by the parents. There is a fee for each semester, plus the parents must supply the paper, cleaning supplies etc. Students must also buy a uniform, books, and school supplies. Daily transportation cost is another expense as there are no government supplied school buses so students take public transportation.
The cost needed in August for a girl to start school is over $200 which is a hard for many families to provide, especially if they have several children in school.
Project Adelante wishes to provide some of these girls the chance to earn the money they need to continue their studies. They will receive their payment in a lump sum in August at the time of enrollment in school.
The bracelets are made of crystal pearls, bicone crystals, and seed beads. Each bracelet takes about 30 minutes to make. Training will take place this next week and the bracelets will be available after that. The cost is $10.00 per bracelet.