Scholarship Recipients
After primary school (5th grade), school costs are too high for families afford. If there is a choice in the family, boys are given preference. We started in 2006 to give scholarships from the 6th grade through university level. Here are a few examples: Martha started with us in 6th grade in 2007 and completed nursing school in 2017; Yolanda was our first scholarship recipient in 2006 and received a degree in English in 2013. Mari started her primary education as an adult 10 years ago and currently is studying computer science. Other girls study to complete a level, or work on a specific topic. We feel strongly that even one or two years more of education can make a difference. The scholarship recipients develop confidence, teach children in their communities and become role models for other girls. For current numbers of women and girls on scholarship, please read below.
Annual 2024 Scholarships
We are pleased to announce that Yolanda from Crucero finished her university education with a degree in English and Maria Guadalupe from Ocosingo completed a 2-year computer skills program and earned a certificate. That still leaves 11 girls on scholarships for the coming school year. Five of those girls are at the university level: Erika and Yessica are both in law school. Sara Maithe is studying obstetric nursing. Yessenia is in her first year of normal school, studying pre-school education and Karla is also in her first year of university in business administration. Antonia and Paty are both in Preparatory (equivalent to grades 10-12 in the US.) Perla is in the last year of Secondary. Isabela is in her 3rd year of computer studies, María takes classes to augment her education as a classroom assistant and translator and María Eugenia studies sewing and design. All these young women organize and teach in the children’s programs in their communities as part of their community service for receiving scholarships.
Annual 2023 Scholarship Recipients
In the 2023-24 school year, four girls are studying at the university level, three in preparatory, two in secondary, two in computer courses and one being trained to be a classroom assistant. We added a new recipient—Maria Eugenia—who has started a two-year course in sewing and design. We are proud of the determination and persistence of all our scholarship recipients.
Unfortunately, a photo of Maria Eugenia is not available at this time.
Annual 2022 Scholarship Recipients
Two of the girls from past years completed their studies in 2022: Gabriela, with a degree in architecture and Alejandra, with a degree in nursing. For the school cycle beginning August, 2022, we have 14 girls/women on scholarship. This year we have four girls at the university level and one of those will graduate next spring with a degree in English. Two are studying law, and the fourth is studying nursing. Four girls are at the preparatory level and three are in secondary (grades 6-8). An additional two recipients are working toward certificates in computation. And one woman is learning how to be an educational assistant in primary school.
We only have photos of four of the new recipients.
Other new recipients are María Guadalupe from Ocosingo and Isabela from Magdalenas, both studying computers and María from San Andrés, who is working toward being a classroom assistant.
Perla is 12 and starting first year of secondary. She is looking forward to in-person learning after having a lot of online classes for her primary education, due to Covid. She loves math and wants to use her education to help her family. She will assist with the children’s program in Altamirano.
Guadalupe
Isabela, from Magdalenas, will be traveling into San Cristóbal de las Casas to study computers and IT. Her goal is to earn a certificate in computation.
Guadalupe is also 12, starting secondary. She writes that she is excited to have the opportunity to study, because so many girls don’t. She is from Zinacantán, and will be helping in the children’s program there.
María, from San Andrés Larrainzar, is starting a program that will qualify her to become a classroom assistant. The program is free, but María has high transportation expenses that we will fund.
María Guadalupe is from the town of Ocosingo. She has enrolled in a computer course and will earn a certificate.
Annual 2021 Scholarship Recipients
For the 2021-2022 school year, we are funding 14 scholarship girls. Five are at the university level: One will be completing her degree in architecture in December; one is majoring in English, another in nursing, one in education and the last is starting to study law. Four girls attend Preparatory (the equivalent of high school) , one is taking a Pre-Preparatory year-long course, two are in secondary (6th to 9th grade) and two are enrolled in computer classes. Some schools will resume normal classes and others are taking a hybrid approach.
Our new scholarship recipient this year is Juana Paty from the community of Zinacantán. We have known Paty almost all her life and at 12 years of age, she is mature and focused. She has already been helping in the Zinacantán children’s program the past year. Before that, she was a student attending that program.
Annual 2020 Scholarship Recipients
As of August, 2020, 18 girls are on scholarship with us. Four are at the university level and their majors are architecture, English, nursing and pedagogy. Five girls are at the preparatory level, six are at secondary level (6th to 9th grade) and three are enrolled in computer courses. This year has been challenging as all the students are studying online. Some girls must find computer cafes and have to travel to get there. But all are coping, and hoping that the fall term of 2021-2022 will put them back in the classrooms. Our new scholarship recipient this year is Reyna from the community of Las Ollas. She is starting secondary. She writes us that things are difficult because her learning hasn’t been consistent due to Covid-19. We commend the girls and women on scholarship for their patience and their continuing interest in their education during the pandemic.
Annual 2019 Scholarship Recipients
As of August 2019, 18 girls and women are on continuing scholarships. Three are at university level, five at the preparatory level, and six at the secondary level. Four women are enrolled in a two-year computer course. Our newest recipient, María Alicia, has also enrolled in the two-year computer course.
They are:
Annual 2018 Scholarship Recipients
As of August, 2018, we have 24 girls and women on scholarship. Five are studying at the university level, 6 at the preparatory level (high school), 9 at the secondary level (middle school) and 4 are taking vocational computer classes. Five new girls started secondary this term.
They are:
Our 2018 Scholarship Recipients are:
From left to right above:
Karla – Carmela – Aurelia
Left: Carmen
Right: Yessenia
August 2017 Scholarship Recipients
Our current total of girls and women on scholarship is 22. Three more girls received scholarships this summer. All three are from Altamirano. Alejandra will be starting the 3rd year of preparatory (10th -12th grade.) Deyssi is in the 3rd year of secondary (6th to 9th grade) and Magali is just starting the first year of secondary. They stand in the same order in the photo below.
August 2016 Scholarship Recipients
Two more girls have been awarded scholarships for secondary school (6th -9th grade). Rosa is from Las Ollas, and Victoria is from Crucero. We don’t have an available photo for María, of San Andrés Larrainzar. She will be studying computer skills. Our current total of women and girls on scholarship is now 22.
Rosa
Victoria
February 2016 Scholarship Recipients
Two new scholarships were awarded mid-school year this year, to two very deserving girls from Yajalón. This brings our current number of recipients up to 19.
Sara
Sara is 12, and her mother is very supportive of her education. She will also be helping with the new Children´s Program, and she is enthusiastic about school. She is in the first year of secondary.
Zaida
Zaida is 14 and in the last year of secondary school. She will be helping to run the new Yajalón Children´s Program Her father is blind and her mother does domestic work. Zaida is very serious about school and plans to enter preparatory in fall, 2016.
2015 Scholarship Recipients
Two new scholarships were awarded in August, 2015. Our current total is 17 girls and women on scholarship with us. We lost 3 girls: one to marriage, and two to having completed their educational goal. Currently, three are at the university level (nursing, tourism, computer science), six are in preparatory (10th to 12th grade equivalent), six are in secondary (6th to 9th equivalent), and two are taking computer and english classes. An annual scholarship this year averages $725. The cost is down from last year due to the strong dollar exchange rate.
Ayaneli
Ayaneli is from a remote village near Altamirano. She is a single mother of a 7 year old boy. She is looking forward to computer classes so she can obtain a good job.
Yessica
Yessica will start secondary school in August. She is a bright, cheerful girl who underwent heart surgery last summer. She has a positive outlook and has enjoyed attending the Crucero Children’s Program the past 2 years.
Group of 2015 Recipients
The group photo depicts the entire group of recipients during an August, 2015 workshop.