The Pathways Rotary Club is proud to sponsor five students for the Guatemala Rise Youth Development Scholarships.  Meet our students Claudia, Luisa, Jessica, Nancy and Sheyla.

From: Claudia D.
To:  Friends at Pathways Rotary Club
Dear sponsors: Hello, I’m glad to be able to write to you. I hope you are very well. I want to thank you for this great opportunity that you are giving me so that I can continue studying. I want to continue studying to be able to improve myself in life by having job opportunities and thus helping my mother. I want to tell you that I feel very excited because I am taking in-person classes now. I have many friends who help each other understand homework, and now it’s easier when I have questions to ask the teachers. I tell you that in this bimester I did very well in my classes I got very good grades. I make an effort every day so that you feel proud of me just like my parents. My parents and I are very grateful for all the support you give me. We thank you with all our heart for everything you are doing for me so that I can fulfill my dream of graduating. I say goodbye to you with appreciation, Claudia.

From: Jessica P.
To:  Friends at Pathways Rotary Club
Dear sponsors: It is a pleasure to greet you. I hope you are very well. My family and I are very well, thank God. I feel very happy to be able to write to you and thank you for all the great support you give me. I sincerely thank you for the opportunity you give me to be able to get ahead in my studies. I want to continue studying so that in the future I have job opportunities and I can support my family. I want to tell you that one of my biggest dreams is to be able to graduate in Criminology to be the pride of you and my family. What I like most about studying is that I learn new things every day. In my free time I like to read, draw, play sports and do crafts, since it entertains me a lot and de- stresses me. I say goodbye to you, and I hope to continue in communication. I send you a big hug, God bless you.

Jessicca

From: Luisa G.
To: Friends at Pathways Rotary Club
Dear sponsors: I am pleased to be able to write to you. I hope you are very well. My family is very well thank God, though I am a little sick, but I am fine. I want to tell you that my father’s name is Luis and my mother is Sonia. I have two sisters. I’m doing very well in middle school, I’m in 8th grade. My favorite course is English. I like to listen to music, my favorite genre is Pop, my favorite musical group is Stray Kids and I like to learn their choreographies. I also love to draw and read stories. I appreciate everything you do for me because for my parents it is very helpful and for me their support is very important. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope to meet you in person one day, I say goodbye to you, may God bless and protect you. I appreciate you very much, and I send you a big hug.

Luisa

 

From: Nancy P.
To:  Friends at Pathways Rotary Club
Dear sponsors: I am happy to write to you. I hope you are very well. My family and I are fine thank God. I want to tell you that my father works as a bricklayer, and my mother is dedicated to taking care of us. I have 2 brothers, one is called Juan and the other is called Carlos. I am the youngest in my family. I am currently studying 7th grade, and my favorite course is Artistic Expression. I like to play soccer in my free time. Thanks to your support, I know that I will fulfill my dream of being a doctor and working in a hospital and to help those who are sick. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do for me. I hope to continue in communication with you. God bless you, see you soon.

Nancy

Photo Shared by Sheyla I. 

 

From: Sheyla I. To:  friends at Pathways Rotary Club

Dear sponsors: It is a pleasure to greet you. I hope you are very well. My family and I are very well, thank God. I want to tell you that my father works very hard as a tailor to support us so that we don’t lack anything. My mother works as a housewife. I have 3 older brothers and a sister. In my family everyone is very kind and takes good care of me because I am the youngest daughter. I want to tell you that in my studies I work hard to get good grades so as not to disappoint you or my parents. When I continue studying my high school diploma I will work hard to graduate so I can find a good job and help my family. I want to tell you that I am very grateful to you for the support you give me through the scholarship. I thank you with all my heart for everything you do for me. I hope one day I can meet you. I say goodbye, wishing you and your family many blessings.

Sheyla

1. Sponsor a student today.

For as little as $10 per month, you can help sponsor a student and change a life.  Go here to donate: 

 

2.  Help your new friend rise.

Thanks to you, your student’s life will begin to change as they benefit from comprehensive support services in the Rise Program:

  1. a full academic scholarship
  2. psychologists, social workers, and mentors
  3. workshops on topics like job skills and leadership
  4. visits to businesses and universities
  5. opportunities to serve in his or her community as a young leader

Learn more about the Rise Program >>

3. Be changed forever.

We’ll keep you regularly updated on your student’s progress, and you will also have the opportunity to exchange letters and photos with your student and even visit them in Guatemala! You’ll experience the joy and pride of helping your student grow as you become part of each other’s stories.

Learn more about connecting with your student >>

What Is Guatemala Like?

Guatemala’s Western Highlands exhibit one of the most extreme combinations of systemic poverty, illiteracy, and inequality in the hemisphere. 3 out of 4 people live in poverty, and 1 in 3 cannot read or write.

Students face overwhelming obstacles to stay in school:

  • lack of financial resources
  • pressure to marry early
  • alcoholism or abuse in their homes
  • gang culture
  • lack of familial support
  • belief that education is not worth investing in

As a result, 95% of poor, rural students never graduate from high school.

You can help a student beat the odds by becoming a sponsor today.