The aim of the initiative is to create incentives for children to go to school regularly and permanently.
Since one of the main factors for the low attendance is the malnutrition of the school children, we have set up school canteens. Children present now receive a free lunch every school day.
Access to education
for 75 children
Active support
in 3 communities
375
Meals per week
75
Children with access to education
3
Number of communities
In this way we can:
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Increase attendance
Improve cognitive skills
Strengthen your physical condition
Prevent child labor
TOP SCHOLARSHIP INITIATIVE
A CHANCE FOR EDUCATION
The aim of the TOP Scholarship Intiative is to offer ambitious children and young people from Honduras the opportunity to continue their education after completing primary school.
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Since a lack of financial resources is the main reason why children are unable to go to secondary school, the TOP scholarships cover all costs that arise in the course of the school year.
Nicolle (12) lives in a small rural village in Honduras. After successfully completing primary school, Nicolle has not had the opportunity to continue her education. One reason for this is that there is no secondary school in her direct region, but further to this, Nicolle's family lack the financial means to pay for the necessary school materials, school fees and school uniforms.
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In order to give children like Nicolle the chance to attend a secondary school, we have created the TOP Scholarship Initiative. This scholarship is linked to our other initiatives and covers all the costs of attending secondary school for four ambitious children from our partner communities. In this way, we are not only investing in the future of the scholars, but also in the future of their communities.
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further develop their academic skills and abilities
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enhance their social and emotional intelligence
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set them up for better employment opportunities
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increase their chances to find a way out of poverty
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allow them to be teenagers (rather than working on the family’s farm)
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encourage them to become leaders of their communities and inspire the next generation
THE SCHOLARS
The scholars for the year 2022 and 2023 were selected on basis of a number of criteria including their motivation, ambitions for the future and the financial situation of their parents. In order to choose the most suitable scholars, interested children were asked to fill out a short application form. In this form we asked some basic questions such as: Why do you want to attend a secondary school? What do you want to do with your secondary education? What are your goals?
Based on the applications, the following four students were selected for the 2022 and 2023 school year:
MAYORI
Age: 12 years
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Community: Casillas
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Favourite things about school: My amazing teacher - she always inspires me to be a good person and help others.
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Goals for the future: To one day have a career that fulfills my goals of helping others and my family.
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“I want to be an educated woman. I want to help the people of my community who are poor - any anyone else who needs help.”
KARELI
Age: 11 years
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Community: Hato Viejo
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Favourite things about school: To learn new material and play with my friends.
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Goals for the future: To become a teacher and help others.
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"Mama has done so much for me, someday I want to be able to be the one helping her!"
KATHERIN
Age: 13 years
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Community: La Majada Verde
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Favourite things about school: Spanish, social sciences, writing stories and everything to do with media!
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Goals for the future: To achieve excellent grades, secure a good job and help my family escape poverty.
“With the help of this scholarship, I will be able to take the next steps towards a career and a better future.”
VALERIA
Age: 14 years
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Community: Pantanal
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Favourite things about school: Creative writing, making friends and playing football.
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Goals for the future: To study accounting and finance and graduate from university with a business degree.
“I want to study a career not only to help my family, but also to help Honduras.”
NICOLLE
Age: 12 years
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Community: La Majada Verde
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Favourite things about school: Learning about plants and animals, sports and being with friends
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Goals for the future: To continue on to university and become a nurse
​“I want to have a better education to help the people of my community and create opportunities for myself!”
GABRIELA
Age: 14 years
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Community: La Majada Verde
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Favourite things about school: Maths, playing football and being with my friends
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Goals for the future: To study accounting and finance in university
​“No one in my village has had this opportunity. I want to be someone in the future!”
SECONDARY EDUCATION IN HONDURAS
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The enrolment rate for secondary schools nationwide was 43% in 2020. In rural areas, however, this figure is estimated to be significantly lower (data.worldbank.org, 2022).
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Only 49% of enrolled students complete their secondary education. In rural areas, this figure is just 30% (UNICEF Data, 2021).
The cost of the TOP scholarship is around €400 per child per school year. This includes school fees, uniform, books and other materials, transport to school and a basic smartphone. The latter is crucial for learning success, as the school attended by the scholars only takes place on weekends. During the week, school work is sent via WhatsApp.
Making up 42.5%, transport to school accounts for the largest share of the total costs. This is because the secondary school is located in the nearest town, Talanga. Talanga is about 2 hours by bus from the scholars' communities. The long distance is one of the reasons why the children only have to be present at weekends.
THE SCHOLARSHIP COSTS AT A GLANCE
SPOTLIGHT HONDURAS
SUPPORT THE TOP SCHOLARSHIP INITIATIVE NOW