Sponsoring youths out of school. A transformative impact on both the youth and society.
Background
School exclusion is a complex issue driven by chronic poverty, social deprivation, and family instability. In Chile, over 200,000 children and youth (NNJ) are currently out of the educational system, and there is no comprehensive tracking of their whereabouts. Unfortunately, more than 50,000 students dropped out in 2023 alone.
The-Challenge
SUMATE Foundation, part of Hogar de Cristo, is dedicated to closing the educational gap for the most vulnerable youth—those marginalized by the public education system and often labeled “problematic.” Many of these young people live in poverty, and some face homelessness or struggle with trauma, addiction, and deep emotional wounds. They typically suffer from learning gaps of two years or more, making reintegration into traditional schools nearly impossible.
To effectively serve this student profile, our programs operate in small, highly specialized schools with an average enrollment of 180 students. These schools provide individualized support and tailored educational pathways. Their structure results in significantly higher operational costs compared to standard or regular schools.
Our Programs
Fundación SUMATE intervenes through three strategic initiatives – Impact 2024, which involves 1,264 students.
In addition, we offer vocational training workshops in Catering, Culinary Arts, and Personal Care (Beauty) to equip students with practical job skills for economic independence.
The state does not allocate dedicated public funding to sustain this critical model. As a result, Hogar de Cristo must rely on private donations to cover the significant financing gap.
Below is the estimated cost per student:
Proposal – Sponsor a Youth Out of School.
It’s an invitation to create a lasting social legacy by sponsoring one or more vulnerable youth who are out of school and helping them return to education. Sponsorship contributes to long-term positive changes, bringing significant social, economic, and emotional benefits to both beneficiaries and society.
We invite you to make a lasting impact on the life of a vulnerable youth.
To youth, please click HERE.
HOGAR DE CRISTO USA
Opinion, The urgency of lifting Chile out of severe poverty. Juan Cristobal Romero, executive director of Hogar de Cr
UPDATE January 26, 2026 Hogar de Cristo has been focusing on three areas amid the devastating wildfires in the Ñuble an
https://youtu.be/cgcuLymmrGA “Match Solidario” platform – Hogar de Cristo, Chile Creating a direct “match” b