Friends From Iowa Foundation is committed to improving the quality of education in the Berlin area of El Salvador.
We partner with numerous schools to provide the following resources:
  • Teacher Salaries:  $200 per teacher / month
  • School Supplies: $15 – $25 per student / year
  • Kitchen Equipment: $200 per stove;  $600 per refrigerator
  • Food: $ .50 per student / day
  • Computers: $400 each
  • Building Materials: $8 per cement bag for foundation repairs, walkways, floors; $ .50 per cement block for rooms; $8 lamina roofing

EDUCATION is a vital component to help improve the lives of the disadvantaged, including the illiterate people living in El Salvador. Many do not complete the third grade and go through life using their thumbprint as their signature.

There are many types of schools that range from marginalized to public to private, each with a varying degree of education quality. Generally, the public school students need shoes, backpacks, notebooks, paper, pencils, markers, etc.

On average, $25 – $50 will cover most of the student’s needs depending upon grade level. Private Catholic school costs more. For example, the annual tuition to attend the local Catholic high school is $127, plus incidentals like a P.E. uniform.

teacher

Natalie

 

A college education is out of reach for most, but for the lucky few that have or can find the resources, it gives them a big advantage in a country with upward of 40% unemployment with a burgeoning pool of unskilled, illiterate workers and a shortage of skilled trade and college graduates.

With only a handful of public universities and many more private colleges available, FFIF decided one year ago to explore the idea of providing college scholarships. A nineteen year old girl, Natalie, was selected as our first recipient of a college scholarship good toward a two-year degree. This allows us the real-time, hands on information needed to share with others who may wish to help fund scholarships for others. The total for this higher education is a little under $2000 per year ($1980 for Natalie) and includes transportation, food, books, supplies, tuition, and labs.

Quite the bargain when compared to higher education costs in the U.S., and what an investment in the youth, their families, and the future of their country.