Dalia's Story

GROW gives young people in the banana growing region of Mexico the opportunity to continue their studies in order to achieve their goals. Thanks to GROW, bright young students in Colima are given the chance to follow their dreams and make a new life for themselves and their families. Here is Dalia's story:

My name is Dalia. I was born and raised in Cerro de Ortega, Colima. I studied in its small schools where I enjoyed every moment of academic enrichment. I am part of a big family; I am the youngest of one brother and five sisters.

When I started high school my parents talked to me about making sure I always tried my best in school because from then on they would have to make major sacrifices in order to give me the opportunity to keep studying. Fortunately during that time I found GROW, which along with Project Amigo gave me the opportunity not only to finish high school but also to go to college. Today I am studying in the School of Foreign Languages to be an interpreter thanks to the help and encouragement that GROW has given me. I truly consider them part of my family because I have shared three and a half years of happiness and effort with them.

Thanks always to the GROW Foundation and Project Amigo.

Help GROW kids like Dalia stay in school by buying GROW bananas or by donating directly through the Donate tab.

GROW - Where does the money go?

While we talk about young people whose lives have been profoundly affected by the assistance they have received from GROW, the question sometimes arises on how the funds break down. How much is going toward scholarships, how much to medical programs, and is there an administrative component? All of those are a part of the GROW funds, with scholarships for junior high, high school, and university students getting by far the greatest amount of funding. These newly educated young people are the future for our communities and families in Mexico and Ecuador, and education will make the future much brighter. We thought this chart that gives a visual breakdown would be of interest.

Going Bananas with Back to School

As the summer winds down and you prepare your little ones for a new school year, the inevitable school lunch planning begins. Although kids may want the salty snacks and sugary sweets, make sure you pack foods with nutritional value that will fuel them throughout the day. GROW bananas are a perfectly convenient snack that provide a great source of energy and essential nutrients. Easy to transport, the protective peel will keep them fresh and tasty, no matter when they are consumed.

Adding GROW bananas to your child’s lunchbox, is not only good for them but good for others. A portion of every box of GROW bananas sold helps banana worker’s children live better lives through a surcharge that goes directly to the GROW Fund. The GROW Fund provides scholarships, dental and vision programs, housing and educational support for the workers and their families in Colima, Mexico and Ecuador, where GROW bananas are grown.

They’re tasty, healthy and rewarding. That’s why GROW bananas are the perfect lunchbox companion.

Christian's Story

Each student in the GROW Scholarship program has their own career goals and ambitions. It's so great to help students follow through on their dreams. Here is Christian's story, in his own words:

Hello!

My name is Christian Tellez Monje. I am 19 years old, and am currently in my 3rd semester as an architecture student at the University of Colima, thanks to a scholarship from GROW and Project Amigo.

I was selected for this scholarship during my 4th semester of high school. I was very happy when I was selected for the scholarship, because I knew that would help me reach my dreams of becoming an architect. Originally, I thought I’d have to take lots of time off after high school to work and save up for college, which made me worry that I’d never have the money to pursue my goals. I had hoped to get a job in construction so I could make enough to save a little.

For me, GROW means so much. I feel like my dreams are now within reach, and I am able to see myself as an architect in the near future. Without the GROW scholarship, I would have had to work full time in order to save up for school, and seeing how architecture is a very expensive major, it would have taken me a very long time to save up enough money.

Thank you to GROW and to GROW supporters for helping me reach my goals! I couldn’t do this without you!

Continue helping students like Christian by purchasing bananas with the GROW label, or by donating online here.

What’s GROWing on in September

The month of September serves as a yearly spotlight for our GROW Fund (Giving Resources and Opportunities to Workers). During GROW Month, we highlight our year-round efforts made to improve social programs in Mexico and Ecuador.

Since 2005, the GROW Fund has granted over $500,000 in support of social programs in Mexico and Ecuador, providing a hand up to workers and their families in the areas where Organics Unlimited bananas are grown.

In support of the 2009/2010 school year, GROW is funding education programs, community development, and health services including 9 university student scholarships, 19 junior high and high school students including a homework club, College Endowment Fund, Casa Amiga university housing program, GROW Education Center, Vision Clinic, Preventative dental health services, Community Education promotions, and micro-business training and support for Ecuadorian students.

During GROW month, we will be participating in local events and community outreach. Keep an eye out, and be sure to stay connected by following us on Twitter, Facebook and our blog!

GROW First Hand

After having worked with Organics Unlimited on their marketing almost since the company started, and certainly since the beginning of the GROW program, I recently had the opportunity to spend three weeks in Mexico with Project Amigo. Project Amigo is a non-profit organization in Mexico that works closely with families in the rural areas of Colima. As an organization that embodies many of the values on which GROW was founded, they are the biggest recipient of funds to date. Their programs offer an education for many children who cannot afford to go beyond elementary school. Some of these chidlren have become lawyers, civic leaders and teachers, all understanding the value of using what they have learned to better their own communities.

Among the experiences I had in the time I was in Mexico was a visit to the Centro Educativo in Cerro de Ortega. This brightly painted facility is a second home for some of these children. It's where they get the home work help, and many after school programs, that help them to achieve in school. And starting at middle school level, they also participate in community programs and events that allow them to become leaders at a very young age. This facility is used for education, but it also is used for vision screenings, dental hygiene education, and sometimes small fiestas.

As one young boy read to me about a child who was experiencing snow in the winter, we talked about his seeing snow on the top of a nearby volcano, although he had never seen it up close or felt snow himself.

These children are bright, beautiful, warm and loving. And to think that all it takes is buying GROW bananas to make their future brighter! GROW bananas are available in many natural foods stores, and you can also donate online.