THE REALITY
Due to the cost, many youth in rural Honduras do not get a chance to attend school after the 6th grade. Instead, they begin working with their families in the fields or in the home.
Those that are fortunate enough to continue studying in school lack uniforms, textbooks, computers, and other basic school supplies.
Many girls in rural Honduras are discouraged or prohibited by their families to continue studying, as gender discrimination continues to affect their futures.
Only 6% of females age 20 to 29 from impoverished families in Honduras have completed their secondary school education.
The students in these villages are full of hope and dreams for their futures. Yet, without support, their potential will never be known.
"THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW" CREATES A NEW REALITY
The objective of this program is to help train women to become the leaders that Honduras, and our world, needs. Esperanzas Unidas will support groups of women from an early age to gain the keys to open the doors of higher education and obtain the tools to become independent entrepreneurs.
Every three year cycle, Esperanzas Unidas chooses a group of teenage girls from the rural villages where we work.
This group receives a package of support to help them become our future leaders, including:
- A scholarship for the three years of their studies in high school
- A private English tutor with weekly classes
- A private tutor for computation classes
- Trainings on how to run a non-profit organization
- Trainings on how to grow and produce bamboo
- The opportunity to make presentations in front of community and business leaders, cultivating a confidence in public speaking.
- The opportunity to manage a micro-business under the supervision and advice of experienced businesspeople
The "Leaders of Tomorrow" Micro-business Training Program
Hands-on opportunities for our "Leaders" to learn how to organize and manage their own business
Trainings provided by local, national, and international leaders on entrepreneurial techniques
Our "Leaders" operate a Chicken Egg Cooperative business
MEET OUR CURRENT "FUTURE LEADERS"
Gloria
My name is Gloria. I am 16 years old and am from the village of Candelaria, Copan.
In my free time, I like to be in the nature, playing soccer, and reading.
I hope to be a lawyer in the future so that I can help women and girls fight against discrimination. I also hope to help my mother in the future.
I am very proud and grateful to have received this scholarship.
VALERIA
My name is Valeria. I am 15 years old and am from the village of Dulce Nombre, Copan.
I love to read books in my free time.
I have always dreamed to be able to study in school so that I can have a better future, a better job, and be able to help my parents. From an early age I have dreamed to become a lawyer. I have also been interested in math, science, and English, even though I still struggle to speak it well.
DIANA
My name is Diana. I am 15 years old and I am from the village of Dulce Nombre, Copan.
I am a very happy and sociable person. In my free time, I like to do lots of things, including practicing piano and guitar, reading, and watching movies. I like to use my creativity to cook, especially deserts, even though I don’t have a lot of free time to do so.
In the future I want to graduate as a Doctor, specializing as a Pediatrician, because I love to work with kids.
I am so grateful to have received this scholarship. I am a young woman full of potential, and know that I am intelligent and able to accomplish great things that I put my energy to.
The organization, Esperanzas Unidas, has given me this opportunity to accomplish my goals, not just with the economic support to continue my studies, but also so that I can develop my leadership skills, meet new people and have new experiences – all of which are very important to me.
KAROL
My name is Karol. I am 14 years old and am from the village of Candelaria, Copan.
In my free time I like to explore the nature.
In the future, I want to be a Math teacher.
For me, this scholarship is very important because it will help me to achieve my dream of becoming a professional.
BRITANY
My name is Britany. I am 14 years old and am from the village of Dulce Nombre, Copan.
I am very sociable, nice and responsible person. In my free time, I help my Mom clean the house, listen to music, and sometimes read.
My dream in the future is to graduate from high school, and, if God permits, go to the university. I want to be a professional, a good person, and to be focused on God.
For me, this scholarship and the opportunity to work with this organization is very important because it is helping me to serve my community. This scholarship will also help me to have a better education and quality of life.
With all of my heart I am grateful to the people that have given me this great opportunity.
ESPERANZAS UNIDAS'S VOLUNTEER TUTOR PROGRAM
Each Sunday, Esperanzas Unidas hosts a live online English tutoring class for our Leadership Cohort.
If you are interested in supporting our "Future Leaders" in learning English and Computer Skills, please let us know!
MEET OUR CURRENT VOLUNTEER TUTORS
Daniela
Daniela
Daniela
I am a Senior at Seattle Prep, and my first language was a mixture of Croatian, Tamil, and English. I wanted to volunteer because I am very passionate about girls’ education and women’s rights in general, and I would love to continue to improve my cross-cultural dialogue.
CHAVA
Daniela
Daniela
I am a bilingual seventh grader at Denny International Middle School. I want to volunteer for Esperanzas Unidas because I think girls need more opportunities in this world and teaching our students English can help!
FATIMA
Daniela
WALKER MAE
My name is Fatima. I am a 16 years old, I go to Chief Sealth International High school, and I am a proud Latina!! It’s important to volunteer for organizations like Esperanzas Unidas because I believe no one should have to go through difficult times alone. It’s important that as human beings, we help uplift each other.
WALKER MAE
WALKER MAE
WALKER MAE
My name is Walker Mae. I am in the 7th grade. I enjoy swimming, skiing and spending time with my friends and family. I want to be a teacher when I grow up and I would love to teach English in other countries. Because of this, I enjoy working as a volunteer with Esperanzas Unidas.
ASHLEY
WALKER MAE
ASHLEY
My name is Ashley and I am a First Grade Bilingual Teacher in Seattle, WA. I want to be part of this great organization and help in any way that I can.
AVA
WALKER MAE
ASHLEY
I am a senior at Seattle Preparatory School, and I have been studying Spanish for five years. I wanted to be a part of an organization that empowers women through education and am interested in further immersing myself in cultural experiences different from my own.
ROXANA
JOCELYN
JOCELYN
My name is Roxana and I am a teacher and mentor teacher for the first grade. I decided to participate in Esperanzas Unidas’s English tutoring classes because I believe that the future of the world is in the hands of the new generation and I want them to be able to use and feel this incredible power that they have to be the future leaders of our community.
JOCELYN
JOCELYN
JOCELYN
I’m a junior and IB student at Chief Sealth International HS, and I am so glad to be a part of this program. I believe strongly in girls education, and this is a way for me to help in a meaningful way as a student. Tutoring the girls has been incredible so far, and I can’t wait to see how much they grow.
GABRIEL
JOCELYN
GABRIEL
My name is Gabriel Terrazas. I am Venezuelan. The reason I am helping with this tutoring program is because I want to help other people learn English so that they can have the tools to accomplish their goals.
PROJECT: “GOAL ESPERANZA!”
Using Soccer to Create Communities of Leaders and Learners
Esperanzas Unidas is very aware of the great potential that the sport of soccer can have in encouraging community building, leadership development and the promotion of academic excellence.
Beginning in 2012, our organization has helped to bring thousands of dollars of financial and in-kind donations of jerseys, soccer cleats, and balls for youth soccer leagues in the network of villages we work with.
In particular, Esperanzas Unidas has been focused on promoting girls in their participation in soccer. Although the majority of all youth play soccer with whatever they can - lacking soccer cleats, shin guards, and many of the other common items that most soccer players have, access to playing soccer for girls is even more challenging due to age-old stereotypes and lack of opportunities.
Esperanzas Unidas is incorporating a new curriculum that is designed to connect educational advancement , social-emotional learning, and soccer in the village schools. Academic goals coupled with soccer supplies, community service projects linked to soccer parties, targeted workshops designed to develop girl’s leadership skills through soccer.
