HOPE Scholarships Provide College Tuition and Vocational Training to Poor Youth

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of poor youth in developing countries now have opportunities to escape poverty through education and vocational training with the HOPE--Helping Overcome Poverty through Education-- Fund provided by Children International, a U.S.-based humanitarian organization.

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Currently, nearly 8,420 HOPE scholarships have been awarded to youth ages 14 to 18 to continue their education, according to Children International's latest HOPE Fund report.

The report reveals that over 60% of students used their scholarship for vocational training in such fields as computer training, automotive repair and other practical technical courses that provide a great opportunity to translate into employment.  And a substantial number of students were able to attend college as a result of their scholarships!

Benefits of the HOPE scholarship include tuition assistance, books, housing and transportation. All of these expenses are well beyond the reach of teenagers and families living on less than $1 a day.

"The name of the scholarship itself gave me hope to be optimistic in pursuing a new chapter in my life," said HOPE recipient Cervin Barios. The Filipino youth is a top journalism student at his university. Because of the HOPE scholarship, he is now able to compete academically with his peers.  

More than 64% of the scholarships awarded were to female students to further or continue their education. In developing countries, girls are less likely to pursue or complete higher education because they often are forced to take more responsibilities in their households, or their families cannot afford to send them to school. According to a report by WorldBank, one additional year of schooling for girls can increase their future earning potential by up to 20%, and in some cases dramatically more!

"Being able to provide youth with a HOPE scholarship is giving them a chance to escape crushing poverty. I am so proud of our youth who seek to further their education and improve their lives," said Children International President and CEO Jim Cook.

About Children International:

Established in 1936, Children International is a humanitarian organization with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. Children International's programs benefit more than 335,000 children and their families in 11 countries around the world including Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Zambia, Honduras, India, the Philippines and the United States. For more information about Children International or to sponsor a child, visit www.children.org.

SOURCE Children International