Connect Education International (CEI) is an American nonprofit organization that builds relationships between students in developing countries and their peers in the USA. CEI provides funding for technology and nutrition programs at or near the educational institution the students attend.

The primary country of focus at this time is El Salvador. The population of El Salvador is slightly more than 6-million, and approximately 36% of the people live below the poverty line.

In a Partner School program, students from the U.S. schools log on for an interactive experience with the Salvadoran students … either in Spanish or translated to English.

Cultural lessons range from daily activities to regional history. Lessons are transmitted via free, downloadable video conferencing software from Skype. The only hardware you need is a webcam and a microphone.

The Sister School program connects American and internationally sponsored schools in a deeper relationship with a long term focus. Projects can include fundraising drives, cultural immersion trips and other types of cooperation.

In cooperation with a local organization, CEI has helped to build the Louise Naumann Resource Center in the rural community of Tepecoyo. The computer lab serves students in primary and secondary schools, along with adults in the community. A nutrition project near the computer lab provides soy milk and snacks between computer classes and attendance at school.

Other nutrition and educational projects have been developed with other cities.

Additional information on school partnership opportunities, donation opportunities, and other program details can be found on their website.