The Scholarship Program Students
There are currently twelve students, each of whom is supported by a team of sponsors. The number of students and sponsors change as students graduate and new students are brought into the program. We have successfully graduated more than 12 students from the program, helping some of these first students through both high school and college - a long term investment!
Most of the university students are in their second year of a four year program. Once they have completed their required courses they must complete their thesis, which we have learned, can take a year or more to complete. Often the scholarship students still need to receive some financial assistance while working toward completing their thesis. After presenting their thesis the students must take the required exams before receiving their professional license. There are fees that the students must pay for the exams and license. The amount of the fees can vary from university to university as well as the professional field.
Antony – He has graduated from his classes and the university, but he is not finished with his education. Tony still must complete a one year unpaid internship before he gets his degree and license to practice nursing. He will complete his internship in Merida at a good hospital. Tony is very excited about this and looks forward to this year of clinical practice.
Brothers:
Cleyder – University student studying computer programming and engineering in Mérida. Cleyder has been given a new project, creating a website that the students administer and control the registered users, as well as sending a little message saying welcome to our site.
Miguel – University student studying law in Mérida. During Culture week at university Miguel chose to talk about human rights. He went to a school in a village close to Mérida to give the talk and teach about our rights.
Conchi – Attending Nursing school in Valladolid. Conchi has wanted a career in the medical field for a long time and volunteered at the Red Cross on weekends when she was in high school. Conchi's older sister was one of the original students in the program.
Diana - Attending university in Cancun studying Business Administration. "In my family I am the only person that has finished high school and this is part of my motivation to keep studying along with those who have encouraged me to continue my studies.
I want to be a professional woman, useful in society and able to develop in any professional position in my work, and more than anything to be my father’s biggest pride."
Esperanza - Has transferred schools and is now studying at a high school called Cobay just south of Merida in a town called Acanceh. She is living with her cousin Maria Jose and her aunt lives next door. Maria Jose is also in school at Cobay. Esperanza is in a high school tract for pre med, so you can see where here dreams are. She transferred because it is better scholastically, and there are fewer distractions for her compared to Isla Mujeres. She is excited to start this new chapter in her studies
Geovanny - After graduating with a degree in psychology from university in Cancún, I plan to give back to my community where there is a need for my services and continue to spread the philosophy of humanism and service to people that I so strongly believe in.
Gibran - Will be attending Universidad Del Sur in Cancún beginning late August. “The degree that I am interested in now is Hospitality Management, and one of my biggest dreams is to hold my university degree in my hands.”
Marisa - Studying physical therapy at University of Valladolid and is 1-1/2 years into her studies. She was born and raised on Isla Mujeres and has one sister and one brother, and her mother works to support them all. Her sister is also in University and is a recipient of this same scholarship. Marisa's dream is to open her own physical therapy clinic one day, perhaps on Isla Mujeres, and mostly "to make my mother proud".
Miguel Angel - Studying computer engineering at university in Cancun. Miguel is the younger brother of Arley; who recently completed her studies and received her title and license to practice law.
Paola – University student in Merida studying dental surgeon. Paola would like to focus on Pediatric Dentistry. She took a lot of joy in speaking to school age children about the importance of good dental hygiene. Paola's first semester as a university student has been a huge transition for her, but she is an excellent student in Dental school. She was very nervous after her first exams, worried she didn't do well, but when the results came out, she had the highest exam grade of anyone in her class!
Yuseli - University student attending the Institute of Technology in Cancun studying accounting. Yuseli postponed her studies for two years so she could work and save money. Her dream is to be able to support her younger sisters so they can get the education they dream of.
Our current 2018 students. From left to right, Cleyder, Miguel Canche, Miguel Esquivel, Yuseli, Esperanza, Marisa, Conchi, Fabiola, Yazmin. Missing are Anthony, Diana and Paola.