Keeping Kids in School.
Building a Stronger Community
Promising Students have a bright future. KKIS supports them in reaching their goals
More than a nonprofit, KKIS is a movement rooted in education and driven by local leadership
Your donation empowers promising students in the Riviera Maya by unlocking the transformative power of education, fostering a future where every student thrives and contributes to a stronger community.
+144 Students supported in the 2024–2025 school year
How KKIS Works
In Playa del Carmen and surrounding communities, many students leave school after 9th grade—not because they lack talent, but because their families lack the resources to keep them in public high school. KKIS is here to change that.
The KKIS Project is one of the leading NGOs in Playa del Carmen focused on education. If you are searching for what NGOs work in education in Mexico or opportunities for educational volunteering in Mexico / Riviera Maya, KKIS is a trusted nonprofit making a measurable impact.
Our Mission
The KKIS Project is committed to enhancing graduation rates and preparing students for lifelong success by providing financial aid, educational resources, and community support. Through scholarships, mentorship, English conversation clubs with locals in Mexico, and skill development, we aim to eliminate barriers to education and cultivate a culture of learning and leadership within Mexican communities by nurturing each student’s potential.
We do this through:
- Scholarships for public high school and university students (scholarships for students in Quintana Roo)
- Life skills, mentoring, counseling, and emotional support
- Providing English classes and online academic development
- Career exploration and leadership programs
Sponsor a Student
When you sponsor a student, you’re not just helping them stay in school—you’re helping them build a future.
More than 50% of students who finish 9th grade do not graduate in the Riviera Maya. One reason is a lack of classrooms, and the other is a lack of finances to cover the costs of admin fees, books, uniforms, and other expenses students are expected to cover in public school.
What your sponsorship covers:
- $650 supports a high school student for one full year
- $2,800 provides a full university scholarship for one year
Each scholarship includes tuition, supplies, mentorship, English classes, life skills training, phone data, and career support.
All donations are tax-deductible in the U.S. and Mexico (organizations that accept tax-deductible donations in Mexico / donate to 501(c)(3) nonprofit Mexico education).
Our Impact
KKIS has been transforming student outcomes since 2011. Today, we support more than 144 students each year, and we’re growing.
Our Vision
Is a future where every student thrives and gives back to their community.
Where education equity is the norm.
Our Programs
KKIS scholarships come with full wraparound support—because education isn’t just about school, it’s about building lives. We believe in building up the whole student, not just grades.
Scholarship Program
High School Students Receive:
- Enrollment fees, uniforms, books, and school supplies
- Monthly phone data and graduation expenses
- Biweekly small-group mentoring on life skills, communication, and decision-making
- English classes and English conversation clubs with locals in Mexico
- Specialty items needed for class and class trips
- Access to counselors
Scholarship Program
University Students Receive:
- Tuition and registration paid directly to the university
- Laptop (on loan), internship materials, and monthly allowance
- Wings Program: monthly training on personal development, financial literacy, and career planning
- English lessons, mental health support, and job placement connections
Scholarship Program
School Supply Program
Every August, KKIS distributes over 3,000 backpacks to students in need across Playa del Carmen and surrounding communities. These kits give students the tools—and the dignity—they need to start school strong.
A $25 USD donation covers a complete backpack with:
- 6 notebooks
- 2 pens
- 2 pencils and sharpener
- Ruler, eraser, and glue stick
- Colored pencils and markers
- USB flash drive (for older students)
- Durable backpack
Since 2012, KKIS has distributed more than 20,000 backpacks—keeping thousands of students in school.
KKIS works hand-in-hand with:
Local schools and educators
Corporate partners and international donors
Volunteers, creative professionals, expats, and retirees
Nonprofits and local institutions
Corporations that want to give back
We operate as a bi-national nonprofit, with full board oversight and financial transparency. Donations are secure and tax-deductible in both Mexico and the United States.
Building Futures Beyond the Classroom
- We believe education is about much more than grades—it’s about shaping character, values, and lifelong habits that lead to personal growth.
- Education teaches students how to take care of themselves, their families, and their communities, creating ripple effects of positive change.
- True learning involves doing what’s right, showing empathy, and lending a hand to others in need.
- Building self-esteem and confidence empowers students to step into new areas of opportunity and overcome challenges.
- Our programs are designed to help every student develop essential skills, expand their knowledge, and discover their unique strengths.
- Education opens doors to possibility—it nurtures curiosity, inspires action, and prepares young people to shape a better future.
- At its core, education is about belonging, purpose, and connection—helping each student see their potential and use it to make a difference.
Some of Our Amazing Sponsors
