Caring for children from the first contact until the time that they can leave the foundation as young, independent adults requires continuous, long-term support. Therefore, it is important for us to know that we will have enough income, each month, to pay for operational cost. The examples below reflect the costs per child per month, in US dollars, except if indicated otherwise.

Education in Public school: $40 per child per month

Proper education is one of our top priorities. Below is a detailed list of the contents of the school kits for the Proniño kids. These kits provide everything necessary to get through the school year. Uniforms, a requirement in all private and public school systems are also included. Finally there are the additional costs, not always thought of but need to be paid such as transportation, school snack, and school projects.

• School kit $ 10.47: Notebooks, backpack, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, ruler, pencil sharpener, erasers, calligraphy, writing practice book, dictionary, textbooks.
• School uniform $6.49: Uniform blouse shirt, white undershirt, navy blue pants, black belt, black uniform shoes, tennis shoes, physical education uniform, underwear.
• School expenses $23.05: Workbooks, school projects, security, transportation and school snack.

Education in Private school: $100 per child per month

In recent years we are striving to place more and more children into private school education. The value of a private school education in comparison to a public one is beyond the pale. Private schools students on average attend more than 45 school days each year to due teacher strikes, budgetary constraints and other factors affecting the public school system in Honduras. Additionally private schools offer better student to teacher ratios and an environment for learning much more adequate than public school options.

• Private school tuition $60

Health care: $20.27 per child per month

Because we donate medical supplies to the local hospitals, the children are given free health care. We have also opened our own (dental) clinic, to help cut costs. Nevertheless we spend 12 $ for medicine, doctor, dental care and psychological assistance.

• Basic medicines $5.29: antibiotics and other over the counter needs.
• Physical examinations $1.32: each child receives a once-yearly full exam.
• Dental care $1.82: bi-monthly visits to the center for dental care.
• Medical care $2.31: weekly visit by medical doctor plus clinic care when needed.
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes $0.71
• Psychological treatment $8.82: Full-time licensed psychologist.

Food: $67.66 per child per month

It’s essential to feed the body properly in order to nurture the mind and promote proper rehabilitation. While maintaining the lowest cost possible, we aim to provide our children with the best and most balanced meals we can.

• Snacks $15.21: twice daily treat usually fruit, milk or crackers.
• Daily  meals $42.86: three meals a day.
• Gas $9.59: for cooking.

Clothing $8.69 per child per month

Because we can regularly send goods in containers from the United States or the Netherlands, a large part of clothes are free of charge. However, we frequently need to purchase clothes to keep the children clean, healthy and happy:

• Clothing $8.69: Regular shirts, t-shirts, pants, belts, socks, underwear, shoes, sandals and flip-flops.

Fun stuff $15.58 per child per month

While operational expenses and basic needs are our focus at Proniño, proper child development involves so much more than just proper nutrition, healthcare and an education. Children need to have a little fun every once in a while. Aside from just the trips out, a nice break from the normal routine, a birthday gift is so important to a child who has no family to celebrate with.  Everyone has the right to feel special even for just one day a year  :)

• Trips to the pool or beach $9.58
• Parties for the children $5.42
• Birthday gifts $0.58: yearly birthday present.

Total $152.2 per child per month

This is all inclusive: education, food, health, outings, but also staff wages, maintenance etc.