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Scholarship Visits by Rich Champion
I’ve made two summer trips to Apaseo El Grande with my wife Natalie, and with Jack and Donna Walton, to visit the Amigos Scholarship students. When I come in to Apaseo I feel a little trepidation because I’m there so seldom that I wonder if I still belong. But I’m immediately welcomed, and then I feel that I do belong. I have roots there. The scholarship program is the enduring contribution of Amigos to Apaseo. I feel so happy to see how diligent and intelligent the students are. A number of them have come from difficult situations and might never have gotten this far in school without help from the Amigos. Two young women are on their way to professional careers in environmental management. At the other end of the scale, we have two girls in elementary school. Everyone should feel proud and positive: The students for their hard work, and Amigos for helping them. I pray that we can all keep this going. |
Mexico Visit by Setsuko Amann
In January 2016, Regis & I had the opportunity to volunteer for Lions In Sight Project in Rinco de Romos, in Aguascalientes, Mexico. We serviced over 700 locals checking their eye sights and dispense glasses accordingly. I stayed on to visit Apaseo, Celaya, & Morelia. In Apaseo I visited Rosaria Cabrera ( Mexican counterpart in charge of Amigos Anonymous Scholarship students). I offered my condolence in the death of her husband, Paco, earlier in the year. Raul (one of the scholarship student and technical assistant to Rosalia) met us for lunch and they drove me back to Celaya to visit Kay & Florencio Cabrera. My last visit was Morelia to meet Monica & Rene Castaneda. They announced their visit to San Francisco Area in September. On their visit, Amigos welcomed and visited with them in Napa at Domain Chandon for wine tasting and scrumptious lunch. |
December 2015 Visit to Apaseo el Grande by Mike Miller
Last December, while Lupe and I were traveling in Mexico, I spent an afternoon in Apaseo visiting with Rosalia and three of the Amigos’ scholarship students: Sarai, Maria del Carmen and Raul.
The students told me about their classes, a bit about their family life, and the importance of the monthly gatherings Rosalia hosts where they offer each other mutual support and practical tips on successfully navigating their way through the academic challenges.
This visit underscored yet again the importance of the outstanding job Rosalia does in selecting and guiding these deserving students.
After our visit, Rosalia and I, accompanied by Raul, continued our conversation about the program and recent graduates, including Jose Alfredo, Ana Berta, Perla, Gustavo and Juan Carlos - all working at good, professional level jobs. Rosalia mentioned that Cecilia, who was entering her final year of study in environmental engineering, would like to continue her studies at the graduate level. She would also like to improve her English by way of an immersion program in the US.
We also discussed the day-to-day handling of the scholarship program in the context of backup for Rosalia should it ever be temporarily necessary. She mentioned that she had been training Raul and delegating many tasks to him including monthly meetings with the students, knowledge of the banking arrangements, and payments required on behalf of each student. I felt reassured that there is a good backup plan in place.
Saying our goodbyes, Rosalia asked me to thank all of the Amigos who contribute to the Scholarship Program and allow her to do this work with the students which she loves.
Last December, while Lupe and I were traveling in Mexico, I spent an afternoon in Apaseo visiting with Rosalia and three of the Amigos’ scholarship students: Sarai, Maria del Carmen and Raul.
The students told me about their classes, a bit about their family life, and the importance of the monthly gatherings Rosalia hosts where they offer each other mutual support and practical tips on successfully navigating their way through the academic challenges.
This visit underscored yet again the importance of the outstanding job Rosalia does in selecting and guiding these deserving students.
After our visit, Rosalia and I, accompanied by Raul, continued our conversation about the program and recent graduates, including Jose Alfredo, Ana Berta, Perla, Gustavo and Juan Carlos - all working at good, professional level jobs. Rosalia mentioned that Cecilia, who was entering her final year of study in environmental engineering, would like to continue her studies at the graduate level. She would also like to improve her English by way of an immersion program in the US.
We also discussed the day-to-day handling of the scholarship program in the context of backup for Rosalia should it ever be temporarily necessary. She mentioned that she had been training Raul and delegating many tasks to him including monthly meetings with the students, knowledge of the banking arrangements, and payments required on behalf of each student. I felt reassured that there is a good backup plan in place.
Saying our goodbyes, Rosalia asked me to thank all of the Amigos who contribute to the Scholarship Program and allow her to do this work with the students which she loves.
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Angel Derian - 5th Semester Robotics
When he began his studies it was very difficult because he had never seen electronic components. Now he is doing much better. The group project he is working on will send some students to China. They are designing a robot to climb stairs. Cecilia - 2nd semester of Titulacion Environmental Engineering
She had a difficult time with her first project because one of her sponsors got sick. However, she did work on a project using electrolysis on contaminated soil. She will need to finish her thesis, take an exam and defend her thesis. She passed English but would like to go to the U.S. for a month to practice. Esperanza - 2nd semester of Titulacion Biochemical Engineering
She worked on a project using mushrooms as a liquid to be an organic pest control. She is working on her thesis, her diploma, and studying English. Maria del Carmen - 2nd Semester Secundaria
She enjoys Spanish and has a good teacher. She studies mechanics and motors and parts of cars. This year she will be taking English outside of class. Sarai Tovar - 5th Semester Industrial Engineering/Manufacturing
Sarai enjoys physics, but has trouble accessing the internet which is necessary for her studies. She also works in daycare and will receive a certificate for her work there. Jose Luis - 5th semester Preparatoria
He liked his studies this year. He studied animals, especially cows. He studied genetics with pigs. He visited the University of Mexico in Champingo to study how to fatten animals. He continues to participate in the marching band. (photo not available) |
Brenda Cecilia - 6th semester Human Resources
She visited businesses, and found out that she loves the career. It involves a lot of responsibility. She had an offer to go to Colombia, but it was too late. She is studying levels 4 and 5 in English and needs to pass them. Denis Vianney - Working on Tofel English at Centro de Idiomas
She finished through level 9 in English. Now she is working to improve her score on the Tofel, and is preparing for the TKT, both exams that will present her with opportunities to teach English. Jose Angel - 1st semester Preparatoria
He worked hard in preparing for his exam for high school. He was much more focused on his work this year. He wants to help people, maybe in medicine as a medic, doctor or in a lab. Raul Alberto - 5th semester Industrial Engineering
He continues to help Rosalia with the scholarship program. Because his English is so good, it was suggested that he take German or French. He took German and says that it is difficult! He has also learned a lot about being a publicist—marketing, photoshop, graphic design and video editing. He made posters for this school. Ximena - 2nd semester Secundaria
She is studying how to make foods. She likes biology and it is easy for her, but math is difficult. Yhadira - 4th Semester Primaria
Yhadira is our newest student. She was not able to attend the get together because she was ill. We look forward to meeting her. (photo not available) |
