Scholarship Recipients

The dedication of the Proyecto Itzaes students is reflected in the numbers heading to prepa (high school) and university. These students are the first in their families to reach these goals. Their accomplishments are a huge tribute to their motivation and commitment.

However, for most of these young scholars, attending university is impossible because they cannot afford the bus fare to school of $2.00 per day. Proyecto Itzaes is thrilled to be able to provide funding to help six of our most dedicated asesores to attend college. Here are some of the stories of our scholarship recipients.

Javi, now studying law at La Universidad Autónima de Yucatán (UADY)

My name is Javi and I live in Chicxulub Puerto, Yucatan. I am 18 years old and in the 5th semester of Colegio Preparatorio (high school) in Progreso, Yucatan. I would like to extend a cordial greeting and ask you with all of my heart to help me with my studies which are each day more difficult to accomplish.

Originally I was from the state of Quintana Roo, but at the age of six, my grandmother died and because of that I came to Chicxulub Puerto with my mother and here it is very difficult to make enough money to afford an education. My mother has always worked to help for my school costs since I do not have a father. I said helps because I also work to pay my school costs every Saturday and Sunday and now this is more complicated because I have to pay bus fare transportation in order to go to school.

I like studying a lot and I also like to row. I am part of the rowing team for Yucatan in Progreso and it is a sport that I like so much, like studying, because it gives me an opportunity to improve myself.

I would like to study law, but in my town we do not have any universities. So it is difficult for me as all of the universities are located in Merida. What I earn in my job plus what my mother gives me, will only pay for my transportation and will not pay for my tuition at the university. For me all of this is very expensive but I am confident that someone in some place will help me.

For me, my mother is the best person in the whole world and ultimately I have to thank her for all of the strength that she has given to move our family forward and to overcome all of the obstacles of life. I would be most grateful for any support that you might give me to follow my dream and finish my studies-not just high school but the university. I say goodbye to you with respect and hope and much enthusiasm for your help and thank you for reading my petition. Thank you!

Words from another PI student now attending the university:

I am sixteen years old, and I am currently in my last year of preparatory school (high school) in the University Preparatory College of the State of Yucatan in Chicxulub Pueblo. I live in Ixil, Yucatan, in a house of ten people, including one elderly relative and two young children. We count on two weekly incomes of approximately 700 pesos (~70 USD). As my parents did not finish primary school, they cannot count on good work. This complicates my situation as a student.

It is because of this that I have a great deal of economic difficulty, as I have many costs such as tuition, transport, books, and uniforms, among others. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that my brother is also a student and that we have never counted on any type of help from the government. In truth, my dream is to continue studying, as I am a good student. I want to study some career related to advertising, or perhaps marketing or business administration. Unfortunately, given the situation in which I live, I see my goal further and further away, as every day is worse and worse.

I hope to receive some help as I wish to continue studying so I can succeed and help my family. Thank you for your attention and understanding.