This week’s blog is a story from one of our Partners in Authentic Community, in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Two years ago, a young woman by the name Amayrani from a small town about an hour and half north of Juchitan, Oaxaca tried to contact us. She was entering the last year of high school and was hoping to pursue her college education. She wished to reserve a spot at CDC (Centro de Compartimiento). She came along with her father and was advised to keep in touch as she finalized her plans. Last spring Amayrani called CDC and told them that she took an exam at a Teacher’s college in Ixtepec and was accepted into the program. Soon after Amayrani visited CDC and was accepted into the program.
Three weeks after Amayrani arrived, Juchitan was struck by a major earthquake. This prompted Amayrani to go back home. However, this time it was a much harder decision for her to return to CDC. Her father was nervous about her well-being. However, Amayrani stood firm amidst the crisis and returned to finish her first semester. At the beginning of the second semester her father became ill which left him unemployed. He visited CDC to tell them that he could not pay his daughter’s school costs anymore and wanted her to withdraw for one semester and then return in fall if possible. He said that Amayrani had an older brother who was in college and he felt that it was more important for his son to continue his studies without any interruptions.
Amayrani was quite dejected and it took a lot of effort from CDC and the staff, before they were able to convince her not to give up. Based on the situation CDC stepped in and decided to help her complete her studies. They calculated her monthly expenses which came to 1000 pesos, the equivalent of $55. They first thought of finding a sponsor for Amayrani. Instead they were able to find her a part time job where she worked two and half days a week and earned 200 pesos which was enough to cover her expenses including her education.
It took a team effort which involved the students, the families and the entire staff of CDC who came together to help one young woman realize her dream of pursuing her college education which is generally considered a rare occurrence in rural Mexico. This was a great achievement for Amayrani and the CDC community.
It is amazing to know what we can achieve together as compared to an individual effort. CDC strives to empower young women to become servant leaders as they claim the truth that they are made in God’s image with a unique purpose in mind-just as we discover our purpose in the community.
ABRAHAM REGUNTA