Providing Opportunities of Education
The Mano Amiga San Antonio school is located in a rural area of the “Departamento de La Paz,” near the central coast of El Salvador. The families with children in the Mano Amiga school come from the municipalities of Santiago Nonualco, San Pedro Masahuat and San Luis La Herradura, in the district of La Paz. The majority of families have very scarce economic resources, with low incomes. Most of them work in the informal sector as fishermen, market vendors, sugar cane planters; and those who work in the formal sector have a high level of instability. Mano Amiga San Antonio strives to provide to families in the community with opportunities as well.
Mano Amiga San Antonio School
Students: 414
Founded:Â 2002
Location:Â San Antonio, El Salvador
The educational model of the Mano Amiga San Antonio school is based on the dignity of the human person. It provides children and youth who are in poverty and in vulnerable conditions the opportunity to obtain a comprehensive high level Catholic education; where they learn human, moral and spiritual principles; as well as values to strengthen the family, break the cycle of poverty, overcome the threat of social violence, and achieve personal, family and community development.
Students and families can also receive the Sacraments weekly and get to participate in a fully functioning church community.
Father Miguel Cavalle Puig L.C., who leads the Mano Amiga program in El Salvador, is thankful for donors. Without your help these children might end up on the streets, begging and surrounded by crime and violence.
Educational
Programs
Provide comprehensive education for children and young people in human, spiritual and social fields.
Health
Program
Includes first level health care for students and teaching staff. There students and teachers can get basic clinical examinations, eye care, hearing and oral health diagnostics.
Economic
Program
Individual communication and guidance to parents to help them with family economic sustainability, and student permanence approach with the school as a development center.
The institution works on the basis of the development of competencies, with support by VIS Foundation teaching methodologies, with intensive training programs aimed at the teachers, staff and parents. It seeks academic excellence as a mean for the development of personalized competencies; which leads to better assimilation and the achievement of positive results in the application of knowledge and skills.
Nutrition
Program
In 2015 Mano Amiga San Antonio introduced a new nutrition program for students.
A nutrition program was necessary for the students because they were undernourished and eating meals without vegetables or meat.
The program not only serves the students, but their parents as well. It is teaching them that adequate nutrition is important for the growth of their children. So far the program is showing great results! Students are working with their parents, despite financial and economic obstacles, to eat well-rounded meals.
Extracurricular Activities
- Full time-Inclusive school: Activities are scheduled throughout the school day to help the students acquire practical skills in technology, sports, artistic activities, and religion to name a few. In addition to the Mano Amiga students, other students are served from four schools in the surrounding areas.
- Adult literacy:Â High school students participate in coordination with the Ministry of Education and the support of teachers.
- Tutoring courses: Students of all degrees are able to receive additional afternoon classes to improve their academic performance.
- Homework club:Â Students of all grades, referred and volunteers, receive support from teachers in the afternoon to do their homework tasks.
- Parent’s school:Â Parents participate in monthly sessions to acquire knowledge and skills related to family and parenting issues.
 
 
The VIS Foundation began building a Church. The community is so excited because the priest will also be serving the students of Mano Amiga. Students, teachers, and the community will be receiving integral moral formation, thanks to the help of Catholic World Mission donors.
Cristobal Aparicio
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Hello, my name Cristobal Daniel Aparicio Baires. I live with my parents and 1 sibling. I am 10 years old. Currently, I am in 5th Grade. My favorite subject is Art, and I like to play soccer. At home, I help clean the house. When I grow up, I want to be a Mechanic.
Corazon de Maria Guzman
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Hello, my name Corazon de Maria Guzman Avalos. I live with my parents and 3 siblings. I am 11 years old. Currently, I am in 5th Grade. My favorite subject is Art. At home, I help clean and sweep. When I grow up, I want to be a Teacher.
Fernando Jose Cruz Lima
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Hello, my name Fernando Jose Cruz Lima. I live with my mother, grandmother and 2 siblings. I am 12 years old. Currently, I am in 6th Grade. My favorite subject is Math, and I like to play hide and seek. At home, I help washing dishes. When I grow up, I want to be a Doctor.
Ashley Nahomy Lopez
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Hello, my name Ashley Nahomy Lopez Mendoza. I live with my mother and 1 sibling. I am 11 years old. Currently, I am in 5th Grade. My favorite subject is Art, and I love jumping the rope. At home, I help my mom clean. When I grow up, I want to be a Professional Dancer.
Juan Carlos Gonzales
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Hello, my name Juan Carlos Gonzales Escobar. I live with my parents. I am 11 years old. Currently, I am in 5th Grade. My favorite subject is Math, and I like to play soccer. At home, I help my mom clean. When I grow up, I want to be a Policeman.
Jorge Nehemias Ardon
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Hello, my name Jorge Nehemias Ardon Hidalgo. I live with my mother and 1 sibling. I am 11 years old. Currently, I am in 5th Grade. My favorite subject is Math, and I like to play soccer. At home, I like to help my mom. When I grow up, I want to be a Veterinarian.
Genesis Judith Lopez
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Hello, my name Genesis Judith Lopez Carranza. I live with my parents and 5 siblings. I am 10 years old. Currently, I am in 5th Grade. My favorite subject is Science, and I like to watch TV. At home, I help my mom clean. When I grow up, I want to be a Psychologist.
Oscar Alejandro Diaz
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Hello, my name Oscar Alejandro Diaz. I live with my parents and 1 sibling. I am 11 years old. Currently, I am in 5th Grade. My favorite subject is Art, and I like to play soccer. At home, I help washing dishes. When I grow up, I want to be a Veterinarian.
Rosario Guadalupe Pinto
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Hello, my name Rosario Guadalupe Pinto Rodriguez. I live with my parents and 3 siblings. I am 11 years old. Currently, I am in 5th Grade. My favorite subject is Languages, and I love playing with dolls. At home, I help my mom clean. When I grow up, I want to be a Fashion Designer.
Javier Eduardo Rivas
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Hello, my name Javier Eduardo Rivas. I live with my mother. I am 11 years old. Currently, I am in 5th Grade. My favorite subject is Languages, and I like to play soccer. At home, I help my mom clean. When I grow up, I want to be a Teacher.
Creating an Appropriate Environment for Learning
2022
The Mano Amiga El Salvador location has overcome many obstacles and has brought forth an excellent environment for learning thanks to generous donors.
Thanks to your generosity the school has new laptops!
Ensure the Safety of Students and Teachers
2017
Thanks to your generosity during the 2017 Back to School campaign, Mano Amiga San Antonio was able to make some much-needed structural repairs to ensure the safety of students and teachers!
- Bathrooms: new tile floors, new stall doors installed
- Cafeteria: the corrugated metal roof was previously supported only by rough hewn wooded poles; the roof was completely replaced with new metal sheeting, and new concrete support beams. They were even able to install electricity and lights!
- Doors and Ceilings: old door knobs, cabinet handles, and ceiling panels were replaced with brand new ones
Thank you!
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