Several years ago, a couple of Children International sponsors decided they wanted to combine forces and jointly sponsor little Paola from Mexico. From this inspiration sprang forth the idea of Group Sponsorships.
Each group has a Group Coordinator, who is the liaison between CI and the rest of the group. Correspondence from CI is mailed to the Coordinator, who then disseminates the information to the other members (usually via email, blog, and/or social media sites). The Cooridnator is responsible for organizing the group members into a payment rotation.
Each group has a unique log-in on the Children International website, which every member has access to. A group may nominate one member to be responsible for keeping the group's MSC profile up-to-date, or they may all share in the task.
A group may consist of any number of sponsors--the usual target is
twelve members--who take turns paying the monthly sponsorship dues. Many
groups also solicit voluntary SNG contributions for occasions such as Christmas
and the child's birthday. Members may write to the child whenever they wish and may send their own SNGs at any time. All members are also welcome to visit the child.
Although CI is not allowing the formation of any new groups at this time, there are several in existence that may be looking for new members:
Cristine from the Philippines (currently seeking new members)
Leonardo from Colombia (may be seeking new members)
Mirriam from Zambia (was seeking new members as of last post in October 2013)
Odilia from Guatemala (was seeking new members as of last post in January 2014)
Paola from Mexico (not currently seeking new members)
Friday, June 13, 2014
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Education: Mexico
Education systems vary greatly from country to country, and sometimes from community to community within the same country.
In Mexico, the school year begins in September. If you are going to request information on fees to send an SNG, it is recommended to do so in June or early July. CI requests that tuition and funds be paid the month before school starts, so they have time to transfer the funds and and the staff has time to contact the family and get everything in place for the child to be enrolled. This is especially important if the child has never attended school before, has been out of school for a year or more, or is starting a new educational chapter (college, vocational, etc.).
Preschooling in Mexico begins at age three and has been compulsory since 2004. Basic schooling is divided into three stages: Primaria is grades one through six, Secundaria is grades seven through nine, and Preparatoria is grades ten through twelve. All three stages are compulsory, however after grade six the student's family must provide textbooks. After successfully completing Preparatoria, a student may enroll at a university or college. Undergraduate programs are typically four years, leading to a Bachelor's Degree (Licenciatura).
A Birth Certificate is required to enroll in school in Mexico. Because many impoverished mothers do not give birth in a hospital, this requirement can be a roadblock for our children. Obtaining the document requires the parents (some of whom are themselves illiterate) to fill out paperwork and pay fees. If you are concerned that your child is six or older and not attending school, it may be a good idea to contact CI via phone or email to inquire if this requirement is the cause.
In Mexico, the school year begins in September. If you are going to request information on fees to send an SNG, it is recommended to do so in June or early July. CI requests that tuition and funds be paid the month before school starts, so they have time to transfer the funds and and the staff has time to contact the family and get everything in place for the child to be enrolled. This is especially important if the child has never attended school before, has been out of school for a year or more, or is starting a new educational chapter (college, vocational, etc.).
Preschooling in Mexico begins at age three and has been compulsory since 2004. Basic schooling is divided into three stages: Primaria is grades one through six, Secundaria is grades seven through nine, and Preparatoria is grades ten through twelve. All three stages are compulsory, however after grade six the student's family must provide textbooks. After successfully completing Preparatoria, a student may enroll at a university or college. Undergraduate programs are typically four years, leading to a Bachelor's Degree (Licenciatura).
A Birth Certificate is required to enroll in school in Mexico. Because many impoverished mothers do not give birth in a hospital, this requirement can be a roadblock for our children. Obtaining the document requires the parents (some of whom are themselves illiterate) to fill out paperwork and pay fees. If you are concerned that your child is six or older and not attending school, it may be a good idea to contact CI via phone or email to inquire if this requirement is the cause.
Did You Know? Most Needy
Browsing through the waiting list, you will frequently come across children who are marked with a yellow-and-white icon to indicate that they are on Children International's "Most Needy" list. As the name states, these are children whom CI has determined are in greatest need of assistance. What makes a child "Most Needy," though? It's not always readily apparent, as children with comparatively high incomes, both parents, and seemingly-solid homes are on the list while children with only one parent and dirt floors are not.
CI Sponsor Services Rep Debbie Spring shares:
CI Sponsor Services Rep Debbie Spring shares:
"To determine which children are considered the “neediest” there is a point system to score the children. The criteria used is: electricity + water + sanitary + sleep accommodation + parents. Income is not a factor because you can't compare it from country to country, and it fluctuates so much - daily in some cases."
Did You Know? Water Source
One of the items listed on our children's Family Reports is "Water Source." There is a wide array of possible responses for this one--here's what I've gleaned so far:
Running Water in Home -- Preferred and safest source of water. May be limited (ie, may only run at certain times of the day). Does not necessarily indicate the presence of a shower.
Private Well -- May not be filtered or treated. May be no more than a hole in the ground, covered with a board.
Neighbor's Faucet -- Safety comparable to "Running Water in Home." In cases such as these, the neighbors are typically extended family members, who pool their funds to pay the water bill.
Neighbor's Well -- May not be filtered or treated. May be no more than a hole in the ground, covered with a board.
Community Faucets -- Water is probably treated or filtered. May be quite a distance from the family's home.
Community Pump -- Water may be treated or filtered. May be quite a distance from the family's home.
Community Well -- More likely than private wells to be filtered or treated. May be no more than a hole in the ground, covered with a board. May be quite a distance from the family's home.
Public Storage Cistern
Delivered by Truck in Barrel -- The most expensive method of obtaining water by far. Water is probably filtered or treated.
Nearby Stream -- The most dangerous method of obtaining water. Streams and rivers are usually polluted and/or full of bacteria and parasites that can make our children sick. CI offers classes to educate our children and their families about the importance of boiling their water before consuming it.
CI Sponsor Services Rep Debbie Spring had this insight to share about wells:
Running Water in Home -- Preferred and safest source of water. May be limited (ie, may only run at certain times of the day). Does not necessarily indicate the presence of a shower.
Private Well -- May not be filtered or treated. May be no more than a hole in the ground, covered with a board.
Neighbor's Faucet -- Safety comparable to "Running Water in Home." In cases such as these, the neighbors are typically extended family members, who pool their funds to pay the water bill.
Neighbor's Well -- May not be filtered or treated. May be no more than a hole in the ground, covered with a board.
Community Faucets -- Water is probably treated or filtered. May be quite a distance from the family's home.
Community Pump -- Water may be treated or filtered. May be quite a distance from the family's home.
Community Well -- More likely than private wells to be filtered or treated. May be no more than a hole in the ground, covered with a board. May be quite a distance from the family's home.
Public Storage Cistern
Delivered by Truck in Barrel -- The most expensive method of obtaining water by far. Water is probably filtered or treated.
Nearby Stream -- The most dangerous method of obtaining water. Streams and rivers are usually polluted and/or full of bacteria and parasites that can make our children sick. CI offers classes to educate our children and their families about the importance of boiling their water before consuming it.
CI Sponsor Services Rep Debbie Spring had this insight to share about wells:
"In general, if it's a community well and maintained by the municipality, then it might be treated and therefore better than a stream. If it's a neighbor's or a private well and not treated after it is brought up from the source, then it's about the same as a stream."
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