Planting the Beans, an educational fund

The Planting the Beans educational fund serves as a bridge to higher education for its beneficiaries. Current beneficiaries were chosen based on their interest in continuing their studies and their inability to do so because of their families’ economic situation.

Planting Magic Beans provides financial support for educational and related costs (books, etc), in addition to constant moral support and motivation for scholarship recipients. This includes weekly phone calls, monthly one-on-one meetings, bi-monthly meetings with parents, and anything else they might need – cultural DVDs to watch, advice about life issues, tutoring. PMB also provides scholarship recipients with in-depth guidance about career decisions, including vocational testing, meetings with professionals from their fields of interest and future workplace visits, to strive to ensure that they have enjoyable and successful futures. Finally, scholarship recipients receive psychological services when desired and when necessary.

The families of all educational fund recipients provide emotional support, all needs at home and a contribution to their child’s education.

A new component for scholarship recipients is guidance and support when the "official" PMB scholarship has ended. This entails working with beneficiaries to plan their next steps and connecting them to mentors and institutions that will be instrumental to them as they move forward.

The current beneficiaries are:

Carlos B. Carlos is 22 years old. He's been studying at a pre-university academy since April of 2010 with support from Planting Magic Beans. He plans to take the university exam for economics or business administration. Meet Carlos in his own words…

“I live with my mother and my two younger siblings. I worked with my father from the time I was a child and with him, I got to know almost all of Lima. Since he died four years ago, I've had to work harder. Because of this I learned a lot - how to value each moment, new ways of thinking, how to fight even when hope seems lost. I think this has helped me to be sociable and to always seek out new ways to look at things.”

“I care about my family and people. That's why I want to study administration, to develop strategies and reforms so that people can be more united and happier. I'll study hard, work hard and do my best.”      

María. María is 19 years old. She's been taking personalized classes with PMB Collaborator Carla Miranda, a young, successful Peruvian fashion designer, since September of 2010. Meet María in her own words…

“After finishing high school I worked in clothing production. I also studied dressmaking and how to operate machinery. Among the things I like best are graphic arts, music and dance.”

“Now I'm studying fashion design. Before I considered it to be a hobby, but now I see that it can be a prosperous career. In the future I'd like to train young, low-income entrepreneurs in my field so that they can study the amount of time that's necessary to be successful. In order to achieve this, I plan to work hard to complete my studies.” 

Carlos A. Carlos is 19 years old. He's been studying since March of 2008 with support from Planting Magic Beans. He currently studies graphic design at a high-quality institute in Lima and has been the top student in his class since starting his studies. Meet Carlos in his own words…

“I live with my parents and my sister. I'm a quiet kid. I'm responsible and very trustworthy. In my free time I watch TV, listen to music and go to the Internet to distract myself a little. I finished school in December of 2007 and I really wanted to keep studying. I'm now studying graphic design since I like to draw and think about how to show things in a new, creative way.”

“I'll give graphic design my all and do everything necessary to continue learning and be a good professional.”      

Past beneficiaries are:

Rafael. Rafael studied from June 2008 to August 2010 in a pre-university academy with support from Planting Magic Beans. He took the exam for the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos and WAS ACCEPTED FOR MINING ENGINEERING!! Congratulations, Rafael! PMB Collaborator Johnny Vargas is supporting Rafael as he makes his transition to the university. Johnny, a geologist, will give Rafael a lot of advice and support with his academic needs.

Meet Rafael in his own words… 

 “I'm a very happy and outgoing kid. When facing any situation, I always try to find a way for everyone to benefit. In my free time I like to play soccer or go out dancing. I like animals, especially cats and parrots, but not dogs since they get everything dirty. I live with my parents and siblings. I like participating in PMB because it's a community for youth that are looking to improve themselves.”

“Right now I’m studying at a pre-university academy. I plan to study engineering. Thank you to PMB for supporting me in my studies. I am going to put forth my best effort in order to be a professional in the very near future.”

Mónica. Mónica studied from January 2007 to August 2009 in a pre-university academy with support from Planting Magic Beans. She took the exam for the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos and WAS ACCEPTED FOR SOCIAL WORK!! Congratulations, Mónica! PMB Collaborator Lucía Patricia Arana is currently supporting Mónica as she makes her transition to the university. Patty has employed Mónica in an administrative position at her small business. Patricia will continue her support as Mónica studies, support that will also include lots of advice and guidance.

Meet Mónica in her own words…

 “I live with my mother, one sister and one brother. I am a big conversationalist and am always happy. I am also intelligent and critical... in a good way. I like cats, chatting on the Internet, taking photos and listening to music of all kinds. I like to sing and write – things that occur to me, stories, poems. I finished high school in 2005 and didn’t continue studying due to lack of economic resources.”

Oscar. Oscar studied from June 2007 to August 2009 in a pre-university academy with support from Planting Magic Beans. He took the exam for the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos and WAS ACCEPTED FOR MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY!! Congratulations, Oscar! PMB Collaborator Victor Gonzaga is currently supporting Oscar as he makes his transition to the university. Victor, who is a biologist, provides Oscar with lots of advice and supports him with books and other academic needs.

Meet Oscar in his own words…

 “I live with my two parents and my little sister. My dad is always traveling since that’s his job. He leaves me in charge of the house, and I’ve done a good job with it up to now. I’m a happy kid. I like to meet people and they say that people can trust me. I’m somewhat critical, in the good sense of the word. I try to do things in a calm manner and avoid fights, but I love debates. As a hobby, I like to give classes to high school students. In my free time, I read about current events in the newspaper. I finished high school in 2006 and I’m starting my career earlier than I thought I’d be able to”.

Ronald. Ronald studied at an accelerated high school from January 2007 to June 2009 with the support of Planting Magic Beans. HE FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL!! Congratulations, Ronald! Ronald is currently working full-time at a factory while he saves up to start his studies to be a chef.

Meet Ronald in his own words…

“I live with my parents, 5 siblings, 3 of their spouses, 3 nephews and 1 niece. I am happy and intelligent. I am shy, but talk more once I get to know people. I always try to help other people. I love music – all kinds. I like playing volleyball and I also like to write. Recently, with Angela, I’ve started to read more and use the Internet. I stopped studying two years ago since I was bored and getting bad grades. I want to study so I can make something of myself. I want to be a chef and start my own business."