In Nicaragua, a cycle kid is a student that has failed a grade and is trying to take two grades at the same time. They’re usually older than the other kids and in a lower grade, i.e. 12 years old and in fourth/fifth grade. The grades are called cycles, and that’s where the name comes from.

Generally, these kids are the hardest to reach. They feel like everyone’s given up on them and no one really cares if they finish school or not. They’re usually working children, selling tortillas on the street or finding recyclables at the dump for a few pennies.

Recently,  Megan and I met with Director (Principal) Martha at a local public school to talk about how we can get involved and what some of their greatest needs are. We talked about food, uniforms, materials and tutoring. We talked about painting buildings and installing chalkboards. With Megan’s background as a school principal for the last six years they had a lot of common ground.

At the end of the meeting, Martha invited us to the graduation they’re having on December 11th. We explained that we’d love to attend, but unfortunately we were leaving for the US on the 9th.

She then asked if there was anything we could do for Francisco.

She explained Francisco was in danger of dropping out last year. She loves her students and instead of writing him off as another statistic, she poured herself into him and several other cycle kids to motivate them to graduate. They’ve taken two grades at a time this year to catch up with the other kids their age and several were going to walk at graduation.

But not Francisco.

One common thread among cycle kids is the extreme poverty they grow up in. They usually have to work and education isn’t a priority.

Francisco couldn’t afford a cap and gown to walk in. No cap and gown means no participation. He would have received a diploma, but he was excluded from the ceremony.

Megan and I felt the same things you’re probably feeling right now. It felt unfair. It felt painful. We asked her how much a cap and gown costs.

“$25″ she said.

[tweetthis url=”http://wp.me/p6kMKA-fd”]I am called to enrich the lives of others. #iEnrich[/tweetthis]

We are called to enrich the lives of others. Megan and I are specifically called to enrich the lives of impoverished students in rural areas. We handed her $25 and she started crying. She explained she’s been trying to raise the money for months but no one had any to give. She’s been to doctors offices, lawyers, and anyone else she could think of that might be able to help.

She called Francisco to come meet us. He thanked us in that broken teenage voice that’s trying hard not to cry. He hugged Megan and shook my hand.

They are thousands of kids like Francisco in the rural areas of Nicaragua. Some need graduation robes, some need food, some need tutoring. They all need enrichment.