Education in Mexico is a fundamental right, but many students face financial challenges when it comes to paying for public high school. Despite their desire to get a diploma and secure a better job, they lack the resources to do so. This is where KKIS (Keeping Kids in School) comes in.
For the past 13 years, KKIS has been working to keep kids in school in Playa del Carmen, a city in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico.
KKIS is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing high school and university graduation rates by providing financial, educational opportunities, and community connections to Mexican children.
The Challenge:
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 are often too much for low-wage earners to afford to keep their promising students in school.
Less than 50% of students who finish 9th grade graduate high school, mostly due to the cost of school and needing to work to help support the family.
A year of public high school starting in grade 10 is about two months’ salary for low-wage earners.
Donations to KKIS provide financial assistance to students in need, covering expenses such as school supplies, uniforms, phone data, and administration fees. KKIS also offers English and mentoring programs to help students succeed academically and personally.
The money donated to KKIS goes directly towards helping students stay in school and achieve their educational goals.
KKIS’s Impactful Programs:
One of the most common reasons promising students may not attend high school or university is financial constraints. KKIS’s annual fundraising gala accounts for a large portion of the money raised each year to support these students.
Additionally, organizations such as the Rotary Club of Playa del Carmen Seaside provide fundraising and volunteer support for well-established, local charitable organizations that have a proven, direct impact on the community.
Investing in the education of these promising students is crucial for transforming lives and communities in Mexico. By supporting KKIS and other charitable organizations, individuals and corporations can drive positive change and help ensure that every student has access to quality education and the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Long-Term Impact:
Over the past 13 years, KKIS (Keeping Kids in School) has significantly impacted the Playa del Carmen community. The organization has helped hundreds of students stay in school and achieve their educational goals.
Many of these students have gone on to attend university and secure better jobs, creating a brighter future for themselves and their families. KKIS’s work has also helped to improve the overall quality of education in the community, creating a more educated and skilled workforce.
Corporate Social Responsibility:
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a vital aspect of a company’s commitment to contributing to the well-being of society. By investing in education-focused partnerships, corporations can drive positive change and create shared value for themselves, nonprofit partners, and the community.
Aligning with KKIS through corporate-nonprofit partnerships is a philanthropic endeavor and a strategic one for businesses. It helps meet CSR requirements and allows companies to make a tangible impact on the community by supporting education and youth empowerment initiatives.
By supporting KKIS, businesses can contribute to promising students’ educational and career success, ultimately enabling gainful employment and socioeconomic mobility.
Ways Businesses Can Contribute:
There are several ways businesses can donate to KKIS to support students in the community. One of the most direct ways is by making a financial contribution to the organization. This can be done through one-time donations, recurring contributions, or sponsoring specific programs or scholarships.
Additionally, businesses can explore other forms of support, such as in-kind donations of school supplies, uniforms, or computers, all of which directly benefit the students in Playa del Carmen.
A few of our corporate sponsors are Spirit Airlines, Patch My PC, Chili Piper, SIMCA, GMB, Skydivemex, Dive Inn, Grupo Events, and Titos.
Donating Benefits:
Donating to Keeping Kids in School has several benefits compared to other non-profit organizations.
Firstly, KKIS scholarships provide an opportunity for students to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential, breaking down barriers that prevent many promising students from achieving their full potential.
Secondly, scholarships don’t just benefit the students who receive them; they have a ripple effect that can positively impact entire communities.
Thirdly, KKIS has a proven track record of success, with a 90% graduation rate among KKIS students compared to the national average of 50%.
Fourthly, corporate-nonprofit partnerships have allowed KKIS to expand its reach and impact dramatically, providing stable funding to sustain and amplify programs directly addressing education access initiatives.
Finally, KKIS provides several ways for donors to support the organization, including directly donating, starting a fundraising campaign, volunteering, and exploring corporate-nonprofit partnerships.
Education Changes Lives:
Scholarships offer a chance for low-wage working families to afford education, empowering students to pursue their dreams. KKIS scholarships break barriers, providing financial support to level the playing field for those from underprivileged backgrounds, changing lives in the process.
KKIS’s 13 years of support have had a significant impact on the community of Playa del Carmen. By providing financial assistance and support to promising students, KKIS has helped to improve the overall quality of education, create a more educated and skilled workforce, and improve the lives of hundreds of students.
We are proud of the work we have done and look forward to continuing to support students in need in the years to come.
There are several ways to support our mission, including making a direct donation, starting a fundraising campaign, volunteering, and exploring corporate-nonprofit partnerships. Your support, whether big or small, can make a difference in the lives of students in Mexico.
We encourage you to take action today and make a meaningful contribution to KKIS. Together, we can keep kids in school and empower the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers.
Thank you for considering how you can support us and make a lasting impact on the lives of students in Playa del Carmen.
You can always reach us by email at info@kkisproject.org.