College Sponsorship Program
Carbonera is a small fishing village located on the Gulf of Mexico in Tamaulipas, Mexico. The main occupation and source of income in the village is fishing. The average daily income for a fisherman is approximately $10 per day.
Since 2003, Builders Without Borders of Texas, Inc., has been leading mission teams to Carbonera to establish relationships with the people and to provide assistance. One of the major long-term projects is to improve the education of the youth. When first beginning work in Carbonera, the education system only went to the eighth grade. Once finished with the eighth grade, it was time for most of the “men” to become fisherman and most of the “women” to marry.
In 2005, BWBT began construction of the first high school in Carbonera. The school is designed in a "pod" format, allowing for additional buildings to be added as needed. Additional buildings can be added for approximately $8,000. To date, four buildings are complete.
The school has been so well attended, that additional buildings are planned.
In June of 2007, COBAT (Carbonera High School) saw its first graduating class.
Thirty-two students graduated at that time. Many of these students would have liked to go on to college, but were not able due to financial reasons.
Class of 2007
Carbonera High School
On June 26, 2008, 15 students became the second graduating class of COBAT.
Thirteen of these students expressed a desire to attend college.
Class of 2008
BWBT researched what would be necessary for these students to be able to attend university in Mexico. It was determined that the students could attend UAT in Ciudad de Victoria, which is approximately 150 miles from Carbonera. Pastor Oswaldo Contreras and his church’s congregation opened their doors to the students and allowed them to make a home there while attending college for the first year.
Then, through a generous donation, in 2009, BWBT was able to build a dormitory in Victoria that now houses 43 students and has the potential to house 50 students.
Dorm in Ciudad de Victoria
The cost for a student to attend is $1,200 per year (or $100 per month.) This includes entrance exam fees, tuition, school ID photo, books, and housing. The students are expected to work to help support the cost of food and personal expenses. As BWBT does not want to deny any graduate of COBAT the opportunity to attend university, we currently send every student, who expresses the desire, to college. All tuition and book fees are paid at the beginning of each semester, fall, spring, and summer. Utility bills (electricity and water) are paid monthly and runs approximately $500 each month.
June 2011 Update
As of this month, there have now been five graduating classes from COBAT. There are currently 48 students. This means that BWBT pays approximately $20,000 per year on this program (tuitition plus utilities at the dormitory).The program is expected to grow even larger as the education system in Carbonera improves.
The student's grades and behavior are monitored by Pastor Oswaldo and his wife Reyna.
You can help by sponsoring a student for $1,200 a year. This amount bi-annually ($600) or monthly ($100).
You can also make one-time donation of the full $1,200 or of any amount to help support this program.
P.O. Box 202
Friendswood, Texas 77549
832-274-3893
info@builderswithoutbordersoftexas.org
Exciting News...
Another class graduated from COBAT in June of 2011. Six of the students will be going onto college.
Manuel, one of the first participants in the program is now doing his teaching internship at the COBAT in Carbonera!
Donations to the college fund will be greatly appreciated!
In August of 2010, a slab was poured for a fifth high school building! The exisiting four buildings are filled to capacity
In order to be as safe as possible, BWBT has not taken teams to Carbonera since that time.We remain in close contact with our Mexican contacts as to the situation in Mexico and plan to be able to return with teams very soon. In the meantime, we continue to support by sending food and supplies. The College Sponsorship Program continues without our presence. Please keep the people of Mexico in your prayers!
