Strategy and Methods

HELP AND HOPE CENTERS

Our Help and Hope Centers are the flagship ministry of Andean Aid.  The Centers provide a safe, clean well lit environment for doing homework and studying. Reference materials, computers and homework supplies are available as well as copies of the current homework assignments, which students must purchase each day.  Tutors and teachers are on site to provide guidance and encouragement.  Center teachers also advocate for the students in the school system.

Two Centers are currently in operation; one in Rubio, Venezuela and another in Cucuta, Colombia.  The original intent was to provide large Centers and transport students each day, which worked fine initially.  However, there have been several changes in the school day and transportation options which caused us to reconsider.  We are now looking at the possibility of providing many smaller Centers, each serving 25 to 30 children, right in their villages.  These Centers will be hosted by a local Christian church.  Nine communities have expressed an interest immediately.

Andean Aid also supports two Christian radio programs in Rubio, one for children and one for teenagers.  Children from our Center participate in these live programs reaching their peers in the surrounding area.

Among the poor when you increase opportunity you must be prepared to reduce misery.  A child that is chronically ill, or one whose home becomes soaked with each rainfall cannot take advantage of opportunity.  So, we have provided special medical attention, purchased medicine and built and repaired homes to give the children a fighting chance.  We have also provided dental services and Christian counseling to families in trouble.