In a coffee farming community in Nicaragua, 14 year old M. is growing into a leader. Between a global health crisis and regional hurricanes, 2020 has brought many challenges. Yet, despite all the challenges, we have seen so many examples of resiliency and strength. Communities have adapted, classes have continued, and recipients of Katie’s Fund Scholarship like M. have persevered to stay on track for their education goals and help those around them.

M, is an amazing person to know - not only does she earn good grades in the classroom, but she is an active participator and a known collaborator in the community. She’s become an advocate for health protocols to keep her community safe, and has helped  the younger kids at her school adapt to the new practices. She leads classes on traditional dances to folklore songs, and works hard to maintain her school’s garden.

M. is one of 30 students who are part of Katie’s Fund Scholarship Program across El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. This program provides financial support and ongoing mentorship to motivated students who don’t have the financial means to go to high school.

My name is M. I am 14 years old and a Katie’s Fund Scholarship recipient. I went to primary school on a farm currently a little abandoned by its owners, but the little school did not stop working. All the kids in the area attended with much enthusiasm and love, since we loved that our teacher was never absent, even though we live in an area that is distant, hidden, and takes a lot of effort to get to. That was always very motivating for me since it showed me that when you love what you do, the distance doesn’t matter, but the goal, education and teaching others, does.

One day, a Project Alianza facilitator came to visit our school to provide their support with educational programs. I was a participant in the reading program, and later I found out that Alianza offered scholarships to girls who wanted to continue on to high school, but perhaps didn’t have all the resources to do so. I told my parents about the scholarship, and they talked to Alianza about how my sister and I could apply to be beneficiaries. And to our blessing and joy Project Alianza gave us both scholarships and we are currently in the first year of high school!

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M. has big plans for the future. She plans on graduating high school and going on to college. She wants to study computing and accounting, and become a professional. Because of her own experience, M. recognizes the importance of education and wants to teach students of her own one day, and become a facilitator in Project Alianza Community Allies Program. Also, she’d like to learn how to drive a motorcycle or car and travel to other parts of Nicaragua. (How cool is she??)