A cornerstone of Unity 4 Orphans’ Education 4 Change program is teaching English as a second language, which can help our students open doors to better job opportunities.
English is the international language and ESL creates opportunities for children living in poverty throughout Latin America. Our first ESL program began eight years ago in Miramar, Nicaragua, and has established a format and structure that we’re able to implement in other countries where we serve orphaned and vulnerable children.
U4O Teaches ESL to Children in Four Latin American Countries
What began in Nicaragua has expanded to sites in Ecuador, El Salvador, and Mexico, where speaking English can double or triple income. It expands opportunities for solid employment all over Latin America and provides job security in countries where it can be difficult to sustain employment and earn a living.
I always talk with the kids and tell them that the opportunities I’ve had are because I speak English. I have 18 years of work experience and since I decided to work in English I haven’t had a month without a job.
–Laigthany, Nicaragua Program Director
In places where we serve, unemployment rates have skyrocketed up to 30 or 40 percent. Children who are born in these countries are at risk of dropping out of school, being lured into gangs, and falling prey to teenage pregnancy and human trafficking, continuing cycles of poverty that seem impossible to break.
Learning to Speak English Increases Job Opportunities
We’ve already seen the impact of our ESL program in Nicaragua on a former student who is now paying it forward and teaching others. Yanelis began our program knowing very little English but our dedicated staff helped her grow in confidence and knowledge. Today she’s a proud graduate of our program and gives hope to students who see her as a role model.
I love to share my knowledge with these students and share what I learned in the program. I have students who know my story and can believe that one day in the future they can be an English teacher, or work as an interpreter or translator. ESL gives them many opportunities.
–Yanelis, Former Student in Miramar, Nicaragua
Many of the places where our partners serve have an abundance of opportunities in the tourism field where speaking English can make or break employment opportunities. They can also work in call centers, as educators, and translators where English speakers are always in demand.
Our Vision to Bring ESL to All of the Countries Where We Serve
Unity 4 Orphans has seen tremendous growth in our program partners, locations, and the number of children served. We hope to provide ESL in every one of our locations and give our students a useful skill and hope for brighter futures.
The expansion opportunities [for ESL programs] are endless as long as we have donors willing to support these programs because once the kids understand why English is so important they want to learn.
–Caitlin Snyder, Executive Director
We invite you to join us in transforming the lives of over 1,500 children served by our programs through ESL education, a number steadily on the rise. Together we can expand to welcome them all into a life-changing educational tool and see them flourish.