GROW Scholar Highlight: Meet Jenifer
Posted by Daniella Velazquez De Leon on May 7, 2022 · Leave a Comment
Meet Jenifer, one of our GROW Scholarship Recipients!
The Scholarship Program
Poverty and wealth inequality are significant challenges in Mexico. About 18% of the country lives in extreme poverty, and among rural communities, school dropout rates, absences, and grade repetition are serious problems.
These issues are seen in settings like Cerro de Ortega, one of the communities where a lot of our scholars live, where there is a higher incidence of violence and drug abuse.
In this type of setting, children are often encouraged to start contributing to family finances rather than continuing school. This is because school means more expenses such as: internet access, commuting, uniforms, and school supplies.
Through the program that is administered in conjunction with Project Amigo, students and parents learn to understand the value of education and a pathway for a better future early on. The retention rate for those proceeding to middle school is 87% compared to 65% for those who do not participate in the program. Similarly, students from Cerro de Ortega who have been supported through GROW show a higher level of advancement to university than any other area of the state.
Meet Jenifer
Jenifer is 14 years old and in her second year of junior high. She lives with her mother and three siblings. Her mom works making tortillas.
- What she wants to be when she grows up: a lawyer
- Her favorite subject: science
- Hobbies: reading and drawing
When she learned that she’d been awarded a place in the GROW Scholarship Program she shared it, “Made me so happy I wanted to jump for joy!”
As a GROW Scholar, Jenifer is responsible for maintaining a GPA higher than 8.5, performing 10 hours of community service each month, and attending homework club.
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Filed under GROW PROFILES · Tagged with Fair Trade, fairtrade, Organic, Organic Bananas, scholarship, Social Responsibility, Sustainability
Organics Unlimited Helps Organically Grown Company Celebrate $1 Million Donation Milestone to the GROW Fund
Posted by admin on May 27, 2016 · Leave a Comment
Northwest-based organic distributor of GROW by Organics Unlimited, Organically Grown Company (OGC), recently reached an impressive milestone, announcing the donation of $1 million to the GROW program through 10 years of sales. OGC committed to purchasing its organic bananas exclusively from GROW beginning in 2005 when the brand was first introduced by Organics Unlimited. Together, with the cooperation of its retail customers, the company celebrates this philanthropic achievement. Read more
Filed under Blog, GROW · Tagged with GROW by Organics Unlimited, Organic Retailers, Project Amigo, Social Responsibility
Project Amigo Fiesta Week
Posted by admin on January 29, 2015 · Leave a Comment
To all of our retailers carrying GROW bananas, we’d like to express our gratitude for helping make the GROW (Giving Resources and Opportunities to Workers) program successful. We’re pleased to be able to share with you what your support efforts look like in action. This past holiday season, volunteers with Project Amigo dedicated their time during the Christmas Fiesta Week in Colima, Mexico.
Filed under Blog, GROW · Tagged with GROW Bananas, GROW Stories, Project Amigo, Social Responsibility