In the 16 years that I have been living in this rural jungle community, I have seen huge growth in the numbers of all students attending schools, but particularly female students. When I arrived here, there were hardly any female students above grade 6 (for a variety of problems) whereas now, I am seeing that as many females as males are attending junior high as well as high school and higher (if they are able). Through Project Ix-canaan, we are running a scholarship program for women who have had to leave school at the end of grade 6. A few days ago, the first of these students graduated as a Perito Contador (Junior Accountant) and is ready to look for work. We now have 3 students in the program, and this past month, received applications from several more women (many more than we have funding for) who are anxious to improve their educational level by enrolling in school this coming year. The end result of all this is that most of the young women in this area are no longer getting married at 12 years of age ... merely the OPPORTUNITY of an education is enough to keep many of them from early babies and large families. And the ones that I have seen marrying after having received an education are inevitably having much smaller families. I believe that EDUCATION ... and it doesn't have to be any particular education ... will change the age-old pattern. That has both positive and negative sides ... but I won't get into all that right now! :>)