Citalá and Villanueva
Colegio Citalá and Colegio Villanueva are private educational projects for young people between 12 and 18 years old. Their goal is to support low-income families so that their sons and daughters with great human and intellectual potential have the opportunity to receive a comprehensive education. This program allows low-income children to continue their studies after higt school at the university or higher technical level and improve their quality of life.
Citalá, which is specifically for boys, has been operating in the facilities of the Lamatepec School since 2012. It has a student population of more than 250 students, from 7th grade on, and has graduated 241 scholarship recipients: 46 students in 2016, 33 students in 2017, 49 students in 2018, 29 students in 2019, 35 students in 2020 and 49 students in 2021.
In 2022, Colegio Villanueva started for girls. It is a school that is operating in the facilities of Colegio La Floresta and provides opportunities for 43 girls from 7th grade on with scholarships, just like Citalá.
In 2022, 295 students from 7th to 11th grades will receive full scholarships, which include:
Use of facilities at Lamatepec and La Floresta Schools (classrooms, chemistry and computer labs, courts, physical and digital library, among others)
Access to highly qualified teaching staff
Didactic materials and school uniforms
Transportation
Counseling for the students and their families
Objectives
The main purpose of the Colegio Citalá and Colegio Villanueva is to open the minds and hearts of young boys and girls who are demonstrating exceptional capabilities for personal and academic development, but lack the resources needed to achieve their dreams. To accomplish this, Citalá and Villanueva provide resources and aid to bring educational opportunities to outstanding Salvadorian public school students, separating and saving them from dangerous gangs and domestic violence.
Achievements
Citalá has graduated 241 young students. All of them achieved outstanding results in the national secondary exams carried out by the Ministry of Education in El Salvador.
For example, in the national PAES exam (Test of Learning and Skills for Middle School Graduates), the average for the entire country of El Salvador in 2019 was 5.06, while the average for Citalá students was 8.06. (on a scale of 1 to 10). The highest grade of a Citalá student in PAES 2019 was 9.22.
Students from the program are admitted to a variety universities or technical colleges of higher education. More than 80% enjoy discounted fees or scholarships. In addition, dropout rates in the southern area of La Libertad, El Salvador have decreased during the lifetime of this initative. The young graduates leave Citalá prepared to find a decent job in El Salvador and continue their university studies.
Diego Vásquez graduated from Colegio Citalá in 2016. Thanks to the high quality education received at the Colegio Citalá, he obtained a full scholarship and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering at John Brown University in the United States last year.
Real Opportunities
Education is the best route to personal development. Donations to this program support young Salvadorans who deserve support as they begin the challenging journey of their lives. Citalá and Villanueva give them hope and real possibilities.
To donate by check:
Make check out to American Initiatives for Social Development with the memo line “Citalá and Villanueva” and send to:
American Initiatives for Social Development
PO Box 1670
New York, NY 10156-1670