A Letter From the Founders
Dave and I attended the Guangaje High School graduation ceremony in July this year. What an honor to be there to witness this event. I want to paint you a picture of it and help you to see why we are so moved to help these families and youth have access to higher education and the dignity of a professional career in a culture that views them as “less than.”
In July, we, along with one of our donors, drove an hour up and up (starting from the town of Latacunga at 9,000 feet, so just imagine how high the altitude is!) into the highlands of the Andes Mountains, down roads just recently paved…, to our destination; sheep grazing, onions growing on steep hills, snow-covered Cotopaxi Mountain in view. This region is idyllic to the eyes, but it is a harsh land for subsistence farmers because of the lack of rain, resulting in dry soil, and harsh winds that blow that topsoil away. The indigenous had been indentured servants to wealthy landowners on this land. Then, in the 1970s, during Ecuadors Land reform, reluctantly accepted by the landed oligarchy, allotted the worst of the land to the indigenous by the government.
And the Guangaje community has suffered even more since the Covid pandemic. But these are hearty and driven people. Back to the graduation: We were able to participate in this ceremony of Incan tradition mixed with contemporary graduation rites. There were nineteen graduates. The courtyard was filled with parents, grandparents, young siblings, and other townspeople milling around and chatting excitedly. Speeches were delivered by the School Superintendent, the local leaders, and Dave was asked to speak. Dave was able to encourage the students to take advantage of their education; follow their dreams; continue to work hard. He spoke of how he, too, only attended college because of a scholarship he had received. But seeing these humble parents, many who had been teens when these youth were born to them, first graced each graduate with their traditional ceremonial poncho and bolo hats for the boys and shawls and bolo hats for girls, and then, after more pictures and ceremony the traditional dress was removed, and the contemporary caps and gowns were presented! Everything was so solemn and symbolic of the transformation that is happening in this community which has struggled so hard to survive. Children are getting educated and have hope to (and the right) to obtain a higher education and establish fruitful professional careers. These are opportunities that the parents never had because, as indentured servants, education beyond 3rd grade was denied them. So, imagine the joy!
Our non-profit, For the Future of Guangaje, provides scholarships to those Guangaje youth who pass entrance exams and qualify for university or trade school. Because public higher education is tuition free, scholarships of between$1500-$1800 per student per year cover their room and board, travel and school expenses PLUS we provide a laptop computer for each student, which costs about $600. They also receive mentoring from our Ecuadorian partner foundation FUNYAJ, an indigenous non-profit headed by Rodrigo ILAQUICHE who himself grew up in Guangaje, is Quichua and is an experienced educator.
We celebrated our first 4 college graduates this spring! Currently there are 18 recipients studying in 4 universities in the areas of engineering, education, tourism, dentistry, and other areas. As I’ve said these are bright and purpose-driven youth. They are VERY family and community-oriented and know that they carry the survival and well-being of ALL on their shoulders.
We should have 4 additional recipients added to our roster to make it 22 scholars this year. Everyone is waiting to hear whether they scored high enough to be accepted into their programs.
Thank you for your support of this ministry which is so dear to Dave’s and my heart.