Proverbs 22:6 offers this advice: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
This verse offers some Godly insight into just how impactful education can be in the life of a child. At Cross Catholic, we see that impact every day as we receive success stories from the education programs we support for poor children around the world.
Jose and Maria Caiza, an Ecuadorian couple struggling to support their six children, can tell you just how life-changing education programs can be.
The Caizas make less than $250 a month — which is hardly enough to pay for their transportation, electricity, water, and clothing. Maria recently had to quit her work of scavenging the city garbage dump for recyclables to care for their sickly daughters. To compensate, the couple’s 14-year-old son, Luis, dropped out of school to work at an auto mechanic shop. He earns about $25 a week to help support the family.
The couple feared that Luis would never be able to go back to school and that their younger children would soon follow in his footsteps. Thankfully, Jose and Maria heard about an education program we support for families in their situation. All of their children now attend school, even Luis, who is working on a technical degree in the evenings. They also receive daily meals, get to play with other children their age, and learn about God’s love for them through daily bible study.
Cross Catholic supports dozens of education programs like this one with the help of generous Catholics. Though these programs vary in location and the age of the children they serve, they all have one thing in common: a spiritual component. As these children learn skills that will help them have a better future, they also learn of Christ’s love for them, giving them hope despite the bleakest of circumstances.
Click here to learn more about the education programs we support around the world.