Helping a great boy in Manizales....

litost says on May 16, 2004, 10:28:

Hi Kim, great thing you're doing for this kid...

1)It really depends. Luckily in Manizales there are several good universities so he wouldn't have to go far for a good education. If he is really smart and manages to get into one of the public universities (Universidad de Caldas and Universidad Nacional), it would cost him literally next to nothing since as far as I know tuition fees are based on income level and have low caps anyways. Now, if he would attend a private one (Universidad de Manizales, Universidad Autonoma, Universidad Catolica) it can go anywhere from $500-$1500 US the semester, depending on the program and colleges chosen. You should know, most programs are at least 5 years, and a few such as Medicine, Dentistry and Law degrees need a year or two more. So in a private institution, the total for the 5 years in tuition would be on average roughly around $10,000 US, possibly a lot less or a little more. Hopefully he could get into one of the public ones I mentioned, they have a high academic level and are just as good...

2) As far as living costs, it's hard for me to tell you because I don't know exactly what you would be covering... will he be living by himself, or will he have housing and utilities covered? Or do you mean what are his living costs for now? Will the money be just for him or for his family as well, if he is living with one? Is it just for sending occasional gifts? Please give me some more details so I can give you a more accurate answer on this matter.

3) It is a safe city and area in general to visit, you should have no troubles at all. The more spanish you know, the better, of course. Stay at a good hotel if you won't be received by anyone there, and once there just ask to make sure it's ok where you'll be going, specially if it's at night. It is a nice city with a lot going on despite its small size, check out a recent discussion on Manizales where I gave some tips for sites and stuff to do there.

Let me know of anything else I could gladly help you with.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

villdkatta says on May 16, 2004, 12:56:

Muchas gracias, Litost... Thanks so much for all of the great information. Wow - even for a private university, college is much more reasonably priced than I was hoping for - I am really starting to think I could help this boy with college.

My other question about how much to send for birthday, treats, etc. relates to his situation now. I do know they are poor and don't have their own water supply but he goes to school and rides a bike. I am currently sending a montly stipend that helps with some clothing, personal supplies, etc. just for him. I'd like to include an amount over and above that for his birthday - would $75 US dollars every now and then buy him a few decent clothes and a toy, for example? Then occasionally I'd like to send an amount to his mom so she can get herself something she needs also - is $50.00 US dollars enough to buy a little decent treat?

Thanks so much for all of your information - I really appreciate it!

Kim

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vladimiro says on May 16, 2004, 14:44:

College Education In my opinion, university costs are not the main problem. Getting into university in Colombia is more competitive than in the US. Mandatory university entrance exams are more difficult(they have basic calculus, and physics questions for instance, where as US schools only test basic algebra and geometry), and many college programs require fluency in English in order to be admitted. He would need to go to a private school starting at a young age in order to learn English and be prepared for University entrance exams.

He probably does not own any childrens books, has uneducated parents, won't grow up with people that are going to university, etc. Realistically, unless he has determined parents that know how to prepare him for College, or he is sent to a private school where he will be better prepared and grow up with other children that are going to college, he won't be able to go even if you are willing pay for it.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on May 16, 2004, 18:35:

DO IT! Copied from a previous post.

"What you are planing to do will give you more satisfaction then you can imagine. We picked a boy, now a young man, with the idea of providing an education. How has it worked out? Well the wife and I just gor back from Florida and watched him graduate from a community college with a 3.92 average in pre-engineering. Then we drove him to the University of Florida (now everyone knows where the "Gator" comes from)and he started classes Monday in the College of Engineering and, hopefully, will graduate with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. Says he wants to stay and get his masters. Fine with us because we feel we have made a difference. We also provide funding for a small public school in the rural area south of Cali and outside of Jamundi."

What vladimiro montisinos said is absolutly valid. While this presents an small(big) problem it can be overcome. When we decided to do this the boy faces similar problems so we sent him to a private school and he got the foundation he needed. A big advantage in Colombia is costs-public universties charge according to the parrents income but with the proper foundation he will never make the cut. BTW, from what our young man took (and passed with all A's)he had no problems here academically and one thing he told us time and time again was how unprepared and lazy gringo students are. If you decide to do this, God Bless! As far as the money goes look at it this way the minimum wage in Colombia, after social security, Christmas bonus, and paid vacation would be say 135$ USD a month and a school teacher would make say $3,000USD a year. For some family's a $100 USD would be almost 1/12 a year's wages. MY advice to you:

GO FOR IT!!!

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

litost says on May 17, 2004, 15:26:

For a poor family anything over US $50 is like a blessing, and can get plenty of clothes, toys and other kinds of goods (given they don't go shop at the most expensive shopping malls). $75 is near the minimum monthly wage, and they're probably not even on that level, so it would be greatly appreciated and would have many possible uses.. that's my only lingering thought, however, if they are really poor and don't even have basic necessities (you mention they don't have water supply, which surprises me and means they are VERY poor even by colombian standards) it is very likely that they would receive that money and maybe not use it for gifts and toys for the kid... I don't know, just speculating but my advice on this would be to try to be clear as to what the money you're sending is for and have someway of knowing how it was finally used.

And whenever you get the chance, go to Manizales and see everything for yourself, I'm sure it'll be rewarding and give you a better sense of what you're doing and why. It won't be a bad place to visit, not at all, actually very beautiful!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on May 17, 2004, 19:08:

Colombia's minimum wage is.. 358,000 pesos or about $130 a month but works receive 13 months salary (includes bonus rwquired by law). The average wage is about $280 USD a month.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

villdkatta says on May 18, 2004, 09:38:

Thank you all so much! I really appreciate all of the information. I was slightly discouraged that not everyone can get into a university but I would rather be realistic and know beforehand. I'll see if he's receptive to learning English; I'm suprised at how well people, especially children, learn other languages so quickly and readily.

I'm happy that $50-$100 over and above the monthly payment I'm making will help with some decent presents. I would send more but you know how repaying student loans can be. My nephew would probably not be impressed with $50-100 but he's pretty spoiled anyway (and I've given up trying to buy him things).

Thanks so much for all of the information! I should clarify - they do have access to public water but it doesn't go to their house - they tap into a public water supply which is a ways away. I'm not sure how that works exactly, though.

Have a wonderful week, everyone!

Kim

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on May 18, 2004, 13:45:

they tap into a public water supply which is a ways away. I'm no That means you walk, drive, ride a burro to a public faucet, fillup your containers then take the water back to the house. Not that uncommon out in the poorer neighborhoods.

As far as getting into the university it is up to the boy. Get high marks on the test in high school and he will make it with no trouble. As I said you might, if you can afford it, invest in a private school for the boy. If he is bright and motivated he should have no problem-especially with a little help from you./

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vladimiro says on May 18, 2004, 14:45:

Servicios Contrabandos I know a family that similarly taps into the neighborhood electrical system because they can't pay the electric bill. If you can't send the kid to private school, might want to consider paying him based on how well he does in school or something. I once made an aggreemant with a kid that I would pay her for each book she read, and was amazed how greed can motivate a kid; had to break the aggreemant after awhile because the kid was reading too many books:) She continues to read a lot from habit now, and is always top of her class.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

litost says on May 18, 2004, 15:45:

If you're willing to pay private universities, there's really very little to worry about as far as him maybe not getting in. They will gladly take the money!!! Maybe a few might require a minimum score on the state exams or have their own screening process, but nothing that difficult anyways. Now, the public universities I mentioned, there only the brightest will get in after passing some very difficult tests depending on what program was chosen.

On another note, do you by any chance know the name of the neighborhood in Manizales?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

litost says on May 18, 2004, 18:39:

sorry... I meant selection process!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

villdkatta says on May 19, 2004, 08:00:

Thank you..... all the things we take for granted in the United States astound me (like in the electric and water supply, etc.).

Thanks for the encouragement - I am definitely going to just try to send him to a private university, although I haven't told him that yet. I have 10 years to save for this. I do love the idea of paying him to read books - what a great motivator!

Litost - I'm not sure of the name of the neighborhood, but I do know he attends the Centro de Orientacion (Apartado Aereo 1**), which helps him with snacks, tutoring, etc. The only bad thing is I wish I could send packages, but I've been asked not to because of the high rate of customs (they would try to charge the family to receive the packages?) and a high rate of loss in going that distance. So I send cash gifts with specific directions on how I would like to have it used, and the Center Director helps him and his mom purchase the things. I'm going to try to find out if there's a public phone there that he has access to so he can call me collect or maybe I could get him a phone card. All this international stuff is new to me but he is such a nice kid I would do anything for him.

Muchas gracias!

Kim

0 funny, 0 helpful.

villdkatta says on May 19, 2004, 09:17:

Thanks, Tinto! I'm going to check out the link right now. Great idea. Gracias!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

santiago says on May 19, 2004, 13:36:

Idea on sending money Sending money to Manizales. If this is a long term commitment then the least expensive way for $1.50 per withdrawal and the highest exchange rate is going to be with a ATM Card.
There are two problems with all the other services. They charge you a fee per transaction and they hide the second fee in the lousy exchange rate they give you. Example: As much as $10 US on a $100 to $200 transfer.
Remember they never tell you about the exchange rate. You find later when the family tells you how many pesos they got for your $50.00 US.

Hear me out before you think this idea is hard.
I have done this without a problem for four years.
You open a separate checking account at your local bank.
Ask for a free ATM card that uses CIRRUS.
Only put $100.00 in the account.
Send the card to his family thru DHL or a trusted traveler to Colombia.
Tell him to withdraw the amount you want him to have.
Verbally give him the PIN on the phone.
He goes to an ATM machine and for $1.50 charge and a great exchange rate you support him every month.

I got this info off the internet links sent to you in previous message.
iKOBO option:
FAST - Recipient withdraws money in just 30 seconds after it's sent.
EASY - Just 3 quick steps, and to sign up is free.
SECURE - 128 bit encryption. Verisign and TrustE certified.
INEXPENSIVE - Only 4% total fee to transfer money.

Yahoo option:
Transfer Amount: $100.00 USD
Exchange Rate: 2630.000000
Receive Amount: 263,000.00 COP (1 USD = 2,630.00 COP)
Consumer Fee: $15.00
Total Cost: $115.00

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mike TX says on May 23, 2004, 20:15:

Money Transfer I have had the best success with AFEX, and they have lowered the fee to 3%( $3.00 per $100.00). I have never had any problems with them.

A weakness for beautiful women is my most expensive vice.

0 funny, 0 helpful.