Project Amigo empowers disadvantaged and marginalized children from the state of Colima, Mexico to achieve their highest potential. By offering comprehensive scholarships for formal education, school supplies, access to educational assistance centers, homework clubs, enrichment activities and healthcare services not otherwise available to them, we are committed to ending poverty through education, one child at a time.
Since 1984, Project Amigo has worked with rural youth in Colima to promote literacy and promote the pursuit of higher education beyond elementary school. Transforming lives through education is the cornerstone of our mission; we know that given the opportunity these children can be the first in their families to graduate from junior high, from high school and from the university. Education is a powerful tool that creates a brighter future for the children, their families and the greater community in which they live.
Project Amigo became a United States 501 (c) (3) non-profit charity in 1996. In the early days we supported students at the elementary schools solely. Today we continue that work with approximately 350 elementary school children participate in our incentives program. We encourage and promote continuing to junior high by inviting graduating elementary sixth grade students to apply for a scholarship to continue on to junior high level education. Currently there are over 220 Becarios (Scholars) who benefit from the wrap around services provided by our Student Services team in Colima. In addition each Becario benefits from the love and support of their Sponsor/Padrino/Mentor who writes to them monthly and may attend a Service Week to meet them. Do visit the "Get Involved" page to learn more and to sign up to sponsor a Scholar.
We invite you to see and experience our program in person by joining us on a Volunteer Service Week in the beautiful hillside village of Cofradía de Suchitlan--our headquarters in Colima. You will meet our Becarios/Scholars, can play with our elementary students, experience our Mexican culture, engage in humanitarian service, eat authentic homemade food, and stay in one of our beautiful accommodations! The proceeds from registration fees support the work we do. Be prepared to leave renewed and amazed by the work done at Project Amigo. We host many types of groups on Service Weeks. Participants can be:
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Families coming together,
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Rotary Club members volunteering as a group,
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Youth groups,
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Businesses bring teams to strengthen their corporate culture and
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Friends traveling to Cofradia to make a huge difference.
We hope that today you will choose to donate, consider becoming a Sponsor and or attend a Service Week knowing that your participation, your support, and partnership gives our Becarios/Scholars the hope and opportunity to become the first in their family to graduate from the University of Colima. Join our Project Amigo familia by signing up for our monthly giving program, simply click on the DONATE button above or mail a check to:
Project Amigo
936 B 7th St., #168
Novato, CA 94945.
Mil gracias for visiting our website. For more information, call or text Dora Zúñiga at 608-345-6769 or email her at dora@projectamigo.org.