Sponsor a Student; Change a Life

For $30/month or $360/year, you can be a sponsor in our Adopt a Student program. Just imagine the impact that small sum would have on a child’s life. A sum that’s less than a gym membership. Less than a couple grocery store runs.

“Whenever there’s a beach clean up or activity in Juluchuca, I’m always there! I love getting to release sea turtles and go to Playa Viva.” -Brayan

Started in 2019 as a way to help students stay in school and thrive in their studies, our Adopt a Student program matches a sponsor with a student in need. While school itself is public, students are required to purchase uniforms, books, pay school fees, etc. For some families, these costs become a barrier to sending children to school, especially in the transition years between elementary and middle school and then again from middle to high school. Keeping these kids in school can change their life for the better. 

Your donation makes a huge difference to vulnerable children in these small rural communities. Students are selected by local school directors and Ariel Arguedas, Playa Viva’s Education Coordinator. Selection is based mainly on economic need, however, school performance and attendance are also considered.

Join Us as a Sponsor

If you would like to learn more about our Adopt a Student program or to participate as a sponsor, simply email Colleen Fugate at colleen@playaviva.com. She will send you all the details and match you with your student. Again, for just $30/month or $360/year, you can adopt a student, sponsor their education and change a life. 

Program Details

The program’s scholarship covers inscription fees, uniforms and shoes, school supplies, and school lunches. For families who live in the mountains, the scholarship also covers gas for transportation to school. That’s crucial for students from Las Placitas, which is 45 minutes away by motorbike simply to attend middle school. In 2020, when the COVID pandemic began, we also used some of the funds to pay for food baskets for the students and their families.  

“We’re really grateful for the new phones and tablet we’ve got from the program. Otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to do virtual classes this past year.” -Briseida & Carlos

In addition to covering all costs associated with school, recipients of the scholarship also have the opportunity to attend small group tutoring sessions with Ariel or our other Playa Viva Education Volunteers. In these sessions, the kids get help with their homework, studying for exams or just get to check in about how they are doing in general for some extra support. 

Adopt a Student During COVID-19

With schools closed due to the pandemic, for students in the program, our volunteers’ tutoring sessions have been their only face-to-face classes since March 2020. 

Though it’s been a very challenging year, we have seen many students persevere — and even thrive. Some have gotten better grades than the year before. Others suddenly have had extra time to join the Juluchuca soccer team or attend art classes with our Playa Viva volunteers. Others have been thinking about their futures, spending time with family and figuring out what they would like to do in the coming years.   

Join Us as a Sponsor

If you would like to learn more about our Adopt a Student program or to participate as a sponsor, simply email Colleen Fugate at colleen@playaviva.com. She will send you all the details and match you with your student.  

And a giant thank you to our 2020 sponsors! We couldn’t have done it without you!