Education
Bridges to Community proposes an integrated Youth Development, Education, and Environmental Leadership Program in the communities of Gajo Largo, Corocitos, and La Guama, supporting young adults who face financial and structural barriers to opportunity
Through a pilot scholarship initiative, select youth will receive comprehensive support to pursue locally available higher education or technical training in the San Juan province, covering essential costs and providing academic oversight, mentorship, community service, and cultural exchange with visiting North American volunteers—ensuring graduates return prepared to serve their communities and reduce regional brain drain. In parallel, BTC will form youth-led environmental brigades, empowering approximately 20 local young people as ecological promoters through environmental education, leadership training, and hands-on projects addressing urgent regional challenges such as drought, poor waste management, water access, and deforestation. These brigades will lead community workshops, organize cleanups, reforestation efforts, and water-related initiatives, and collaborate with schools, health posts, local government, and volunteers. Together, these efforts strengthen youth leadership, expand access to education, promote environmental resilience, and generate long-term social, economic, and environmental benefits for the entire community.
Scholarship Program
Bridges to Community’s Scholarship Program to help motivated young adults from our partner communities access higher education and build stable career pathways. In the San Juan province, many students face significant barriers to college, especially high transportation costs, limited academic guidance, and the need to support their families financially.
While some public universities offer low cost or free tuition, students from rural areas often cannot afford daily travel. Many reduce their course loads to just one or two days a week, delaying graduation and increasing dropout risk. Others are forced to leave school entirely to work on family farms. At the same time, a lack of career counseling and mentorship leaves many students without clear direction, leading to oversaturated career choices or programs that require long distance travel.
The Scholarship Program removes these barriers by covering the full cost of education and providing wraparound support. Scholars receive career counseling, academic monitoring, tutoring, and mentorship to help them graduate on time and transition into meaningful employment while staying connected to their communities.
What this program provides
- Full scholarships for 4 year degrees or certifications
- Coverage of all education related costs, including transportation, tuition and enrollment fees, school materials, laptops, food stipends, and graduation costs
- Career counseling and guidance on school and degree selection
- Academic monitoring, tutoring, and ongoing mentorship
- Opportunities to engage in Bridges to Community initiatives and community service
Environmental Brigade
Bridges to Community’s Ecological Brigade is made up of 20 local youth ages 12 to 22 from our partner communities. Through hands on learning and leadership, the brigade builds environmental awareness early, empowers young people as ecological champions, and puts knowledge into action through projects like trash cleanups and reforestation.
What this project will achieve
- Train and support 20 youth through workshops on environmental protection and conservation
- Share environmental education with schools, churches, and community groups, spreading awareness about water preservation, waste management, and reforestation
- Lead community based action projects including trash cleanups, water tap installations, and tree planting
- When possible, engage North American volunteers by sharing their vision for a healthier environment and inviting them to participate in activities
- We are seeking $4,700 to support the Environmental Brigade and reach an estimated 300 people across 3 communities. Funds will cover monthly meetings, educational materials, trash bins, and native trees for reforestation.