Education is essential to breaking out of the cycle of poverty. It sharpens problem-solving abilities, builds job skills and stimulates lifelong learning. The economic benefits are staggering — with a global average of a 9% increase in hourly wages for each year of additional education. Unfortunately, 39% of the poor in our world have had no formal education. In developing countries, poor children often go without education because their parents can’t afford tuition or provide their children with the necessary uniforms. That’s why Cross Catholic Outreach is committed to empowering Catholic education initiatives, allowing every child to succeed. In 2020, your support funded 68 education projects in 22 countries. Cross Catholic Outreach sponsored projects including school construction; primary, secondary and university scholarships; teachers’ salaries; feeding programs; boarding houses; and much more.

In Guatemala, your support empowered the Diocese of Santa Rosa to provide scholarships for 81 poor children and seven adults. Scholarships provided include the cost of tuition, school supplies, uniforms, transportation to and from school, and daily breakfast for hungry children.