Receiving an education in a developing country is a privilege most children do not receive, especially in areas like Bonao where the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation is located. Lack of schools, difficulty finding transportation and emphasis placed more heavily on children working to help support their family than attaining an education are some of the main reasons only 12% of low-income students who start school will complete their studies all the way to graduation.
Despite these crippling statistics, we are proud to say that the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation provides a free education to over 450 students, preschool through twelfth grade. Before the Cigar Family School opened, these communities had the worst grade average in the school district with a dropout rate of 39% and absenteeism rate of 70%. Today, the dropout and absenteeism rates have plummeted to 0.9% and 1.1% respectively. Also, 87% of the graduates are currently enrolled in college or have become working professionals.
Since the communities benefited by the Complex are located in an area of extreme poverty, a school for parents was also established offering lessons ranging from basic reading and writing skills to micro-business development and vocational training.
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“We are proud to say that the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation provides a free education to over 450 students.”
