continuing Education
We believe there is no more effective way to lift communities than through education for girls, particularly in patriarchal societies where girls often have limited opportunities to learn and explore a future outside the home. Since most families in Nicaragua are multi-generational households, lifting one girl up through education elevates the entire family.
Dayling Guzman: studying teaching, graduated 2024
Francys Mercado: studying dentistry, expected to graduate 2027
Merery Peralta: studying veterinary medicine, expected to graduate 2028
Lauren Mendoza: studying dentistry, expected to graduate 2029
Here's what our program entails:
• Sonrisas Felices provides full-ride public university scholarships.
• Scholarships funds cover tuition, housing, travel, books/materials, food, and digital devices.
• Programs are typically four to five years, depending on the student’s field of study.
• Scholarships range from $1200 - $3500 per year, depending on field of study and location of the school
• Student applications & scholarship payment logistics are managed by Fundacion A Jean Brugger, a local education non-profit in San Juan del Sur and our partner in this project
• Students must be active in community service projects and achieve good grades to maintain their scholarship.