“With Education, Mexico grows,” This is the slogan for Televisa’s program, Bécalos, which offers scholarships to thousands of students and teachers all over the country in order to build a more promising economic future for Mexico. Youth in the state of Oaxaca in particular are at a distinct disadvantage. Persons aged 5-20, accounting for 40% of the total population of Oaxaca, the second poorest state in the nation, often lack the necessary access and resources to realize their academic potential. The Oaxaca Community Foundation understands that education plays a crucial role in generating change, and we are proud to be the primary facilitators of Bécalos grants in the State of Oaxaca, by providing scholarships to youth in the more remote communities.
Becalos has invested more than 200 million pesos towards academic opportunities for young people.
From 2006-2008, Bécalos made it possible for more than 26,000 young people across Mexico to continue with their studies and provided 31,000 teachers with training to enrich their work. In the State of Oaxaca alone, Bécalos has supported a total of 1,058 young people and teachers, 54 of which this year have been facilitated by the Oaxaca Community Foundation.
Bécalos achieves its success thanks to the support and commitment of national banks and their customers. Through the network of ATMs, customers are invited to make donations of as little as five pesos. This money is then awarded as grants to low-income youth at the middle, secondary and university level, and in key areas of development like science, engineering, and technical fields. For three years, selected candidates receive a monthly amount of approximately 575 pesos. Bécalos then monitors the progress of students throughout their academic career, encouraging them to fulfill their goals, while also ensuring they meet the requirements of the program. Promising school teachers are also given grants and incentives to raise educational quality by improving resources and curriculum, and Bécalos also allocates some funding toward scholarships for indigenous youth.
The Oaxaca Community Foundation applauds Bécalos´ success. Behind every income generating project we support there are young people with the drive to succeed. The children of the coffee producers, weavers and honey harvesters have goals and dreams which extend beyond the limits of their communities. We will continue to support Bécalos and similar programs aimed at improving our children’s futures.
