Mexicans starting a fundraising campaign to support Mexican and Mexican-American college students in the United States, reports radio station KPBS in San Diego. The Mexican Consulate in San Diego launched the three month IME BECAS campaign called “For a Better Life.”
Until October 31, it allows the public to donate $5 or $10 through text messages to support university students and adults to continue their education.
Every year the Mexican government provides 10 million pesos to place in a scholarship fund called IME Becas, but for the first time, the Mexican government is reaching out to the public at large inviting small $5 and $10 contributions that can be sent by cellphone, according to UT San Diego. The fundraising campaign works with two non-profit organizations in the United States: Mobile Giving Foundation and Hispanic Scholastic Funds Consortium.
The Consul General of Mexico in San Diego Remedios Gomez Arnau said it’s important to note that the Mexican government will not receive the donations and will not manage the funds received. The two non-profit organizations will receive, collect and deliver the money to students.
The 50 Mexican consulates in the United States are promoting the nationwide campaign. Last year, 14 institutions of higher learning in San Diego participated.
