University Graduates, 2021

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“CEI and my sponsors ... have been been my second family and helped me with everything since I was six years old. My mother had health issues and I was living with my grandmother and I needed help so I could go to school. I worked as a babysitter, made bread and sold it and worked in a law office to help with expenses. In July, age 22, GPA of 94%, I will graduate from the Universidad de Benito Juarez with a degree in Law. After graduation, I will complete my professional service requirement with the Secretary of Security in Oaxaca and work on my thesis. I hope to stay in Oaxaca and continue work in public safety. You have changed my life!” 

“When I was in preparatory school, my father abandoned the family. The same year my brother passed away and his wife and three kids came to live with us. We were then a family of eight and my mother was struggling to support us as she worked cleaning houses earning $6.00 daily. To help with expenses, I worked selling clothes, in a shoe store and in a spa doing massages. I always liked helping others and decided a career in nursing. In July, age 25, GPA of 70%, I will graduate from the Universidad de la Sierra Sur with a degree in Nursing. ... I hope to work with children in a village where there is so much need." ”  

“I was born in San Agustín Loxicha and after a bad hurricane, my family moved to Oaxaca in search of a better life. I have always worked selling tomatoes, blankets in the market, even returned to sell at a local fair in my former village. When I was 19 and wanted to enter the university but coming from a family of eight and my father working as a brick layer, I needed help. Thanks to CEI, I will graduate in July, 23 years old, GPA of 92%, from the Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca with a degree in Civil Engineering, specializing in bridge and highway construction."

 “CEI has been my second family since primary. When my father passed away and my mother working doing domestic work, needed help to support the family of four, you helped us so we could go to school. ... In July, age 23, GPA of 95%, I will graduate from the Universidad de Benito Juarez with a degree in Law. I have been practicing and working in a law firm. ... My semester of professional services are pending with the virus. I hope to practice in Oaxaca so I can help my family."

“As a child I wanted to learn and explore: I loved to read, cook and help my mother, I came to CEI for English classes. I wanted a career that was interesting and challenging, I wanted to help others in need. I chose a career in dentistry! For five years I attended classes six days each week from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., attending classes and practicing at the same time. In July, age 23, GPA of 80%, I will graduate as a Dentist from the Universidad de Benito Juarez. ... I hope to work in a clinic in Oaxaca so I can help my family."

“I always had to babysit by nephews and nieces and care for them. I think this was what motivated me to be a teacher and work with younger children. In fourth grade, my father died and left my mother to care for six of us. She sold tortillas and was earning $10 daily. ... I also worked in the Abastos Market selling candles, grinding chocolate, cleaned houses to help with expenses. In July, 23 years old, GPA of 80%, I will graduate from INPECO with a degree in Teaching Elementary."

“My abandoned mother worked so hard making jewelry and selling it on the streets and she needed help to support us to go to school. In 2004, I was accepted into CEI in the daily pre-school kindergarten class at the center. My pre-school teacher was my big influence on my life. She taught that one can learn by playing and interacting with others. As a result, in July, 22 years old, GPA of 91%, I will graduate from the Universidad Pedagogía Nacional with a degree in Educational Intervention (Teaching pre-school/primary education). ... My thesis theme is “Development Of The Child In Infancy.”

 “I came to CEI when I was 12 years old. My father abandoned the family with five in the home and mother needed help for our education. I was always very interested in technology and anything that made noise or used a battery. I worked at a swimming pool and worked as a waiter to help with expenses. With the help of CEI, I will graduate in August, age 22, GPA of 84%, from the Instituto Tecnológico del Valle de Oaxaca, with a degree in Information Technology. ... I hope to work outside of Oaxaca in a large business and work on my master's degree in telecommunications."

“CEI has been my second home since I was 7 years old. In July, 22 years old, 90% GPA, I will graduate from the Universidad de Benito Juarez with a degree in Law. I have always wanted to help others, make a difference in lives, especially with women ́s rights and in stopping violence. I have worked in a pizzeria and  as a maid to help with family expenses. I just finished my professional practices with the Secretary of Women ́s Rights in Oaxaca.  I plan to work where work is available. ... My family struggled with severe health issues and have sacrificed so much to help me and my brother graduate with degrees. ... It was tough but dreams do come true!”  

“CEI and my sponsors have not only helped me but my entire family. There were five in my family, my sister was unable to walk or talk and so many medical expenses and my father working as a carrier in the market earning only $25 dollars per week. We needed help and you helped me continue my education. I liked medicine and helping people and was interested in dentistry. In June, 23 years old, GPA of 89%, I will graduate from the Universidad de Benito Juarez with the title of Dental Surgeon. This was a five-year study, beginning at 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily. ... I hope to work in a village because there is so much need and the people can ́t come to the city for help." 

“Because of need, I have always had to work to help with expenses. I worked in construction, a delivery service, painted signs and at 14 packaged groceries in the  supermarket, working nine hours a day for tips. I like to eat, work with food, prepare and create new dishes and the supermarket gave me the opportunity to work in the bakery. This motivated me to study food preparation. In January, 19 years old, GPA of 85%, I graduated from Grupo Seduva (vocational school) with a degree in International Gastronomy, speciality areas in cocktails and bakery. In January I will complete my professional service working in a bakery in Oaxaca. ...I know I will always have a job as people will always be eating!”  

“I was always interested in other cultures and languages but living in a village advanced education was not available. I was 18 years old and my aunt in Oaxaca offered me a room in her home and I entered the university. I also worked in a pharmacy to help with expenses. My dream will come true in July, age 21, GPA of 90%, I will graduate from the Universidad de Benito Juarez with a degree in Teaching English and French. ... I will complete my professional practice (student teaching) next semester to be announced. I hope to continue living in the city and teach six to seven year old children as they are so enthusiastic and full of energy. CEI and my sponsor have been 

the greatest gift; you have helped me reach my goal. Thanks, I am a teacher!”