The KKIS Project
Promising students want to graduate.
Let’s help them!
Every Child Deserves an Education
Many students living in Mexico do not attend public high school because there is a cost.
It costs less than $2 USD per day to provide a year education to these promising students. ✨
Join KKIS donors and volunteers who are working to expand the number of high school and university graduates in the Riviera Maya! 🇲🇽
KKIS Vision
Improving lives through Education by Keeping Kids at School.
KKIS Mission
Education reduces poverty, improves lives, and builds better communities. For many families in Mexico education is not affordable. KKIS Keeps Kids in School by removing financial barriers.
We also help students develop their language, life and work skills. Our success is made possible by generous donations of time and money from individuals and corporations who share our values and vision.
KKIS programs combine financial assistance, community connections and educational support to produce an 86% high school graduation rate vs the standard of less than 50%.
Our Events
2022 KKIS Auction – Supporting Our Community’s Children
The 11th Annual KKIS Auction Diner celebrating and raising money for the children of the Riviera...
Giving Tuesday: We need your help to raise $15,000 USD by the end of the year!
Giving Tuesday is right around the corner! Giving Tuesday is a global movement unleashing the...
Latest from the KKIS Blog
There is a whole lot going on at The KKIS Project! The KKIS Blog will keep you up to date on the latest news and events. View all posts »
Best Yoga in Playa Del Carmen
Discover the top studios for yoga in Playa del Carmen! Find your inner peace and improve your well-being at these amazing locations. Join us on the mat today!
How to Find a Doctor in Playa del Carmen
Discover the best ways to find a doctor in Playa del Carmen with our helpful tips and resources. Your health is important, so let us guide you!
10 Best Restaurants for Ceviche in Playa del Carmen
What’s not to love about a juicy mix of raw fish and seafood cured in citrus juices? Ceviche is a...
Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t find the answer you are looking for here, please contact our team »
Who is KKIS?
KKIS (Keeping Kids in School) is a non-profit organization based in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, dedicated to increasing high school and university graduation rates by providing financial assistance, educational opportunities, and community connections to Mexican children.
What does KKIS do?
KKIS provides financial assistance to deserving students so they can stay in school and graduate. Starting in grade 10 public high school has costs. That cost is often too much for low-wage earners to afford to keep their promising students in school.
How does KKIS find students to give scholarships to?
Students can apply for a scholarship in the spring for the next school year. We offer both high school and university scholarships. Students find KKIS through their administrators, our posts on social media, and through friends and family.
What is the process to getting a scholarship?
To qualify for a KKIS scholarship, students must fill out an application. Much like a college application, they need references, a good GPA, financial need, and parent approval. Once selected, each student and parent must sign a contract with KKIS. This is one reason we have an 86% graduation rate among our students.
Does KKIS give scholarships to all students?
KKIS has a very stringent selection process. While we would like to provide scholarships to all students, we do not have the funds to do so. For the school year 2023-2024, we had over 90 applications and awarded 32 new scholarships. Students who do not get a scholarship are encouraged to apply for the next school year.
Does KKIS only provide scholarships in Playa Del Carmen?
KKIS provides scholarships to deserving students in Playa del Carmen and Tulum. We provide backpacks to students throughout Riviera Maya.
What percentage of donations go to administration costs?
Like all non-profits, there is a cost to providing our services. KKIS tries to keep our administration fees low so we can provide service to more students. Our 2022 annual report shows that about 8% of revenue is spent on administration.
What is the Backpack program?
KKIS hands out over 3000 student backpacks filled with age-appropriate school supplies each year. Each backpack filled with tools for education costs $25 USD. We receive many of our backpacks from giveback events from corporations that come to the Riviera Maya for corporate retreats and team-building exercises.
I want to volunteer, how can I do that?
KKIS offers several volunteer opportunities. We also take suggestions for other ways to include students in education and eye-opening experiences. The best way to learn more is to send an email to KKIS asking your question or asking for more information about volunteering: info@kkisproject.org
What is the English Conversation Club?
We take volunteers into a classroom, and the students practice their English. There is no curriculum or special directive. You just show up and talk. Many people coming to Playa say it was one of the best experiences they had while visiting. For more information, send an email to: ecc@kkisproject.org