By Wendy Anders

Over 11,000 elementary school students currently receive scholarships to aid their families to send them to school, said the Costa Rican President’s office.

The scholarships are part of a series of investments being made to reduce poverty under the Bridge to Development program started under the administration of President Luis Guillermo Solís.

The children, whose ages range from seven to 12 years, have been identified as living in conditions of extreme poverty, and are granted CRC18,000 per month (about $32) by the National Scholarship Fund (FONABE) as long as they are actively enrolled in school.

The Joint Institute of Social Assistance (IMAS) serves as a monitor and support agency for the program.

“Combating poverty and reducing inequality by supporting students in their early years is a very significant task, and is a fundamental aid to families in extreme poverty, in addition to other services managed by the Ministry of Education’s Equity Program such as free transportation and food,” said Sonia Marta Mora, Education Minister.

Rihanna Saleisha Cruz Gómez, receives a scholarship to attend first grade at the Los Pinos school in La Aurora de Alajuelita. For her mother, Gingel Gómez, the collaboration she receives is very important as a single mother who works cleaning houses and is raising two other children. Her income is very limited and the scholarship allowed her to buy Rihanna a backpack and school supplies. “After the next deposit, we will buy the shoes, and we will settle in day-by-day, so I am very grateful for this help,” said Gómez.

Costa Rica reduced its national poverty rate in 2016 to achieve its lowest rate in seven years. According  data from the National Household Survey, total poverty decreased from 22.3 percent in 2014 to 20.5 percent in 2016. And rural poverty fell from 30.3 percent in 2014 to 25.7 percent in 2016 with urban poverty showing a decline from 19.5 percent to 18.6 percent over the same period, said the President’s office.