Hello! My name is Karla Marín, and I am 17 years old. My family consists of my mother, my grandmother, my brother, and me.
My mother’s name is Fátima Marín, and she works hard every day for the well-being of our family. My grandmother’s name is Digna Stanislanta Mairena, and she is a very special person to me, as I consider her a second mother. My brother’s name is Delmer Urbina.
We are a very close family, and we always try to support each other.
How long have you lived in Cristo Rey?
I am currently 17 years old and will soon turn 18. My family and I have lived in the Cristo Rey community for approximately 17 years.
How long have you been in the LTN education program?
I have been part of the Life Together program for 9 years. I joined the program in second grade, and thanks to this opportunity, I have been able to continue my education all this time. I am currently in my final year of school and, God willing, I will soon be able to graduate. It is a great joy for me to say that I have completed these nine years in the program.
This achievement is not solely my own, but also the result of the combined effort of my personal dedication, the support of my sponsors, and the guidance of the program. Thanks to this support, I have been able to continue progressing in my education, overcoming challenges, and further developing my knowledge to better prepare myself for the future.
What is something you like about the LTN education program that you would like people in the United States to know?
Something I really like about this program is the opportunity it provides to many young people through its scholarships. For students like us, who often lack sufficient financial stability, this support represents a great opportunity to continue our studies.
Thanks to the project, I’ve had the opportunity to study at a school in Managua that offers a very good education. Although it’s a school with a demanding academic level and can sometimes be a bit challenging, I feel deeply grateful for the great opportunity the project has given me by allowing me to receive a quality education.
This opportunity motivates me to be more responsible and committed to my education every day. Thanks to this experience, I’ve been able to learn a lot, grow academically, and also meet many friends, something I might not have had the chance to experience without the program’s support.
I also greatly value the different initiatives the program carries out to support the community. For example, the space where food is provided to students and community members at noon. I find this very meaningful because it helps those who often lack the resources to feed themselves properly.
I also greatly appreciate the study center, as it provides us with access to computers, printing services, and a suitable place to study. For many of us, these resources aren’t always available at home, so having this space is a significant help in continuing our studies.
Finally, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the program and, especially, to my sponsors. Thanks to them, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of this project and continue my studies. I’m very grateful because they believed in me and chose me to receive this support.
I know that many of the opportunities I have today might not have been possible without their help and generosity. That’s why I’m deeply grateful for everything they do for us, for trusting in the students, and for providing us with life-changing opportunities. Their support not only contributes to our education but also motivates us to keep striving every day to build a better future. For all of this, I sincerely appreciate this great opportunity and all the support that the program provides to both students and the community.
What is something you are grateful for?
With profound gratitude, I wish to express my thanks to the people who have been a fundamental part of this beautiful journey in my life.
I especially thank Amy, because thanks to her trust and the opportunity she gave me by choosing me to be part of this project, I can continue advancing in my education and pursuing my dreams.
I also wholeheartedly thank my sponsors, whose generosity, support, and trust have made it possible for many of these opportunities to become a reality for me. Their help has been a light that has illuminated my path and motivated me to strive harder every day.
I thank the program for opening doors that seemed very distant to many of us, for believing in the students, and for planting hope and opportunities in our lives.
And to my family, for always being my strength, my inspiration, and the reason that drives me to keep moving forward with dedication and gratitude.
Every achievement I reach also carries with it a part of the support, trust, and affection you have given me. Therefore, with all my heart, thank you for believing in me and for being part of my journey.