FRIENDS OF PIMPOLLO

Programs: Our mission, as a volunteer organization, is to develop and support education based projects and programs focused on poor children and their families of mexican heritage. We are committed to providing unconditional love and support, improving their lives, and moving them toward a better future and self-sufficiency through education. We will do this by creating a bridge that connects those we serve with volunteers and donors who want the opportunity to contribute, grow and change. Our efforts are focused on four primary programs in southern mexico:education scholarship program in chiapas and oaxaca, mexicothe ecoser learning center is located in tuxtla gutierrez, chiapas. All of these students were enrolled in and attending college or on their way to college (ex, high school). The nonprofit organization, friends of pimpollo, financially supports this program with grants of $3,500-$1475 monthly. The funding provides board and room, tuitions, fees, books, clothing and incidentals. Occasionally when extra funds are available we are able to purchase new computers that are much needed. This program is led by a devoted couple, chelo and felix velazquez castillo, who take these young people into their own home and act as parents and counselors for them as they attempt the journey of higher education. Many of these students come from the pimpollo children's home and some come from the surrounding remote hill villages in the mountains of chiapas. Aside from ecoser, friends of pimpollo supports other young adults with their college education. The organization supports students in juchitan, oaxaca and oaxaca, oaxaca (the sites of the other major programs). These grants vary by student. There were 28 students enrolled in the education scholarship program during the 2013/2014 school year. There have been 16 college graduates. Pimpollo home for children in juchitan, oaxacasince the formation of friends of pimpollo in 2001 we have helped to support the pimpollo home for children in juchitan, oaxaca, mexico. Our pimpollo sponsorship program supplements the monthly food, education and medical expenses for very deserving children and individuals with special needs. There are currently forty children and young adults living at the pimpollo home in juchitan. The grant is $1,500-$1,000 per month. Vicente guerrero community outside of oaxaca, oaxacavicente guerrero is an impoverished community on the outskirts of oaxaca city, where the city dump is located. Friends of pimpollo provides financial support to the vicente guerrero community through a grant of $2,850-$1550 per month to the organization "fundacion de apoyo para educacion" (foundation for the support for education) to cover the costs of running a local community center that offers a range of educational activities for children and adults and educational expenses associated with 14 schools in the area. Additional funds are also sent to complete specific school construction projects and needs. Oaxaca kids can outside of oaxaca, oaxacaoaxaca kids can is a nutritious breakfast and computer education program based at simbolos patrios elementary school, next to the oaxaca municipal garbage dump in the vicente guerrero community. Up to 140 students receive a meal daily and benefit from an on-site computer lab and classes. This grant is $1,400-$900 per month.