We're SO excited to share with you ...

BUENOS DIAS!

I have some GREAT NEWS to share with you about our Tijuana School Program kids! In 2007 I began the program with backpacks for 25 kids. This year we had four students from our program graduate from high school!

I had the pleasure of attending the high school graduation, and it was beautiful, organized, high-tech, and fun!

Mabis has been a student in our program since 2011. She graduated with honors from high school this month. Mabis is now going to enter university! This is so amazing because she comes from a family that did not have the resources to purchase a uniform, shoes, and backpack for her. She has attended our church since 2011, excelled in school, and it has been such a joy to be able to help her reach her goals and hopefully someday give back to her community.

News

We have five students who have been in our Tijuana School Program who are attending university in the Fall! Two of them are entering medical school at the public university (UABC) and one is entering public dental school. The public university is very affordable for us, but not affordable for people living at the poverty level of Tijuana. We are excited to help these kids advance in their education!

Let's Go Team!

This letter officially kicks off our 2023 Tijuana school program for the 16^th year! Many of you have given sacrificially and been involved in the backpack distribution in past years. Nothing has changed except that we now try to purchase most of the supplies in Mexico. Of course, the cost of uniforms, shoes and supplies has risen in Mexico as it has in the USA.

This year we plan to help all of our church kids and our kids that attend our two tutoring programs called “Mi Escuelita”. We will also be able to help our sister church, Capilla Calvario Rancho Santa Fe in Las Delicias with backpacks and school supplies. Because of the generosity of people like you, this is all possible. You are life changers!!!

From our hearts

It is hard to explain how different life and schooling is in Tijuana, only 30 minutes from San Diego. There is a big shortage of teachers, schools, and money. We hope to grow our tutoring programs to meet the needs of more kids, especially those who have never been educated or can’t even get into the crowded public schools. Through the generous gifts from Small Steps For Change, our tutoring clubs are completely funded. Our biggest need right now is providing all these kids with school uniforms and backpacks.

If you would like to be involved in making a difference in their lives, and helping to change the trajectory of the community where we serve, please consider making a donation to our Grace of Calvary Tijuana School Program. The link is below and if you have any questions, I am available for you.

There are many photos of our past school programs on our website under "MONTHLY PHOTOS".

We also invite you to come down and distribute backpacks with us, if that were something you would enjoy! Most of the backpacks will be assembled in Mexico as the Customs agents are very strict about bringing them across the border and charge a 16% tax or even worse if we don’t declare the backpacks.

Here are the estimated costs to send a student to school, which includes everything they need to get started. The price to send a university student depends on the school that they attend. Any gifts towards university are greatly appreciated and will make a huge difference. We don’t have any students entering Bible college this year but hopefully we will next year.

All gifts are tax deductible. Thank you for partnering with us!

Thank you for your amazing generosity and prayers! Without you, these kids could be quitting school after junior high or even sooner. The culture tells them to go to work in the factory and that you don't even need a high school education to survive. We know differently. Students like Mabis are following Jesus, and making a difference in their community, and someday the world!

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old,

he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6. GOD FIRST

Thanks be to God for the opportunity to bless and serve Him and see the fruits of the ministry!

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use

to change the world.”

   – Nelson Mandela 

Gratefully in Christ,



Cindy Pesina and the Grace of Calvary Ministries TEAM!!