There are opportunities; we only need to be ready to take them – Margarita Elizabeth Tojil Lopez
This is the story of a girl who has been taking part in FUNDAP’s scholarship programme, which Mainel has been supporting since 2005. Her story shows the big difference between the north and the south for the children and girls. With those young people, there is hope in the future.
My name is Margarita Elizabeth Tojil Lopez. At the moment I am studying elementary education in the institute for basic education in the community. I live in the villge Cuchupán, Champerico, Retalhuleu.
Normally I am very shy, but when I work with children I change. I enjoy the happiness of the smallest and I like to be surrounded by nature.
To help my family, I work in my neighbours plots. I help them with planting, cleaning and harvesting. I do that from 5:00-12:00. In the evenings I study and on the weekends I look after my nephews so that my sisters can work.
I think it was when I looked after children that I discovered I wanted to be a nursery school teacher. My dream is to work in my community one day and teach the smallest. For 4 years I have been receiving a scholarship and accompaniment and I have learned a lot. Above all I learned that there are opportunities and we only need to be ready to take them.
We have one phrase among the scholarship girls in Tetalhueu: The dreams, the study, the work and the joy are the ingredients for success.