Globally, one out of ten people live on less than $2 a day.
Over 19 million of them turn to garbage dumps to survive.
These dumpsites are dangerous, poorly regulated, and the waste spills into the surrounding communities.
These garbage dump communities are home to refugees, lepers, abuse victims, orphans, and other extraordinarily vulnerable groups.
The majority of the people laboring in these dumpsites are single mothers, women who feel they have no other way to provide for their children. Let’s give them some other options.
The average life expectancy in these communities is 35.
International Solid Waste Association
One third of babies will die before their first birthday.
UNESCO
UNESCO
The dump is very dangerous. Even the garbage trucks don’t stop for us. They run us over without a second thought. They call us rats. To them, we’re worth less than the garbage.
Danny
Samaritan Scholar in Honduras
Holistic Scholarships
Our scholarships cover not only school fees, but living expenses, medical care, and other essential costs that push students to drop out of school.
Safe Water & Safe Spaces
In communities that struggle with sanitation and violent neighborhoods, we prioritize bringing clean water and a safe meeting place to each community.
Learn, Serve, Grow
Families, schools, and churches in the U.S. commit to year-long partnerships to learn about our communities and help our scholars break out of poverty.
It’s Never too Late
Growing up, Sonia would wake in the early morning hours, and instead of heading to school, she'd walk for about 45 minutes to get to the...
Unstoppable Moms
Villa Guadalupe is home to more than 1,000 people. This area was once part of the capital city’s dumpsite, and it is where our Samaritan...
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As a Samaritan, you’re integral in building the Samaritans for Life network, our growing group of graduates that are changing lives. Each year, about 50 Samaritan Scholars graduate from college or trade school with a shared commitment to:
- Love God with their whole heart, soul, body and mind.
- Love their neighbor as Jesus loves them.
- Raise their family to do the same.
The Samaritan scholarship program is dedicated to growing these exemplary young people so they can lead their communities.
Thank you so much for investing in me, thank you for helping me to realise my dreams. As I venture off into the world, I will ensure to hold the banner of this foundation high! I will make it my duty to make you proud.
Dr. Micashane Myton
A Samaritan for Life: Graduate from Jamaica
I had no hope. I was living, breathing, shuffling about, but I’m not sure that I was alive. My life was dark, my dreams darker. That meeting with International Samaritan changed my life. Hope came upon me like a dove from heaven bearing my renewed dreams in its beak.
Biniam Adem
Samaritan for Life: Graduate from Ethiopia
I am a girl who has many dreams, but, above all, I’ve always wanted a better life for my family. I knew I needed an education. Sometimes I doubted that I could achieve this… I doubted that I could graduate. But because of you, here I am. Thank you.
Jennifer Gonzalez
Samaritan for Life: Graduate from Guatemala
You can join other schools, churches, and people leading efforts in cities across the United States. There are many ways that you can be a Samaritan!
Advocate for Garbage Dump Communities
Pledge to Support a Scholar through School
Race in the
Samaritan 5K
Do you know all the different ways that you can give?
Make a standard donation
Set up a recurring donation
Donate stock from your portfolio
Contribute 1% of your estate in your will
Set up a Legacy Gift
Ask your employer to match your gift
Interested in making a donation or learning more?
