January 12, 2026
Nuevo Nayarit, Mexico
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On Monday, January 12th, donors, potential donors and friends joined UTBB Friends for a tour of the Universidad Tecnológica de Bahía de Banderas campus led by the extraordinary Gabriella Robles. We were delighted that four of our outstanding students were able to join us briefly and meet everyone: Carolina, Ximena, Frederico and Francisco. In addition to the tour, we had the opportunity to thank our donors, Lorraine and Emory Cressman, and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for their second generous donations to UTBB Friends. Thanks to everyone who attended. We appreciate your support!
November 20, 2025
Nuevo Nayarit, Nayarit, Mexico
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We are pleased to share that all 7 of the students who qualified are now receiving assistance from UTBB Friends. We support their future with daily lunches, bus coupons, career uniforms, laptops and books.
Twins Francisco and Fernando take three buses to get to campus. The 800 pesos a week for both students, takes a huge chunk out of the family income. " The only support comes from my mom, but she works at a friend's bakery, where they make and deliver bread. However, her bakery is not very big, so the income is not high. They pay her between $450 and $800 a week for the days she works, but she also makes and sells on her own, earning roughly an extra $1000 from her sales. But really, that is not enough." UTBB Friends assists the twins with bus coupons, daily lunch in the cafeteria, and a laptop for Fernando, earning a degree in virtual environments and digital businesses. Francisco is studying Industrial Maintenance.
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America is perhaps the student most outwardly delighted with our assistance. Her big smile hides the daily struggle she faces getting to school and paying for essentials. Her family income is very limited. America shared with us that it complicates her ability to get to school, to purchase her required English textbook and her uniform. Through UTBB Friends she now has bus coupons, a uniform and the textbook. America is studying Electrical Maintenance.
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The strength and determination of these students is amazing. Their families have so little income. We can truly understand how a university degree in a practical field will be life-changing for them, their families and their communities. Jocylyn is another example. Her father brings home less than $5000 pesos a month and yet in her application video she was careful to tell us that really, her family is doing fine. Her only request was for help with transportation costs. Jocelyn now has bus coupons so she can get to and from university without worries. Jocelyn is majoring in Physical Therapy.
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Selena earns about $5000 pesos a month. She lives with and partially supports her abuela. She shares that she has no other family support. Never-the-less her only request was for help with the cost of transportation. Like Fernando, Francisco and Jocelyn, she takes three buses to get to the campus each day. We are happy to provide Selena with bus coupons.
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We believe that every student, including these students from very low-income homes, deserves a fair chance. They know we are committed to continuing that support through graduation. Help us help them. Donate now at utbbfriends.com/donate.
November 11, 2025
Nuevo Nayarit, Nayarit, Mexico
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Several Beta Sigma Phi members had the opportunity to tour UTBB – Universidad Tecnológica de Bahía de Banderas this week to learn more about the needs of our students.
"We were so impressed! The facilities, the programs, the professionalism… and the growth they’ve experienced in just the last few years is remarkable. They have now added a medical school which is in its very first year! Their Hospitality and Culinary programs operate a full 12-room working hotel that the public can stay in at very reasonable prices — modern rooms, pool, beautiful grounds, conference rooms for business groups — and their restaurant is open daily from 8:30–1:00 with a delicious buffet for only $220 pesos per person!
UTBB also offers a spa for masseuse training and physical therapy (open to the public as well), and a Marketing program that can develop projects for businesses in the community.
This visit also helped us better understand the role of UTBB Friends, who step in to help students who cannot afford basic needs like transportation, meals, uniforms, tools or supplies required for their specific career track. These are the things that often determine whether a student can continue their education — or not.
Beta Sigma Phi is proud to support UTBB Friends and their mission. Together we can remove barriers, keep students in school, and help open the door to opportunity and brighter futures for young people in our community."
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Thank you Beta Sigma Phi for your very generous donation!
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November 8, 2025
Nuevo Nayarit, Nayarit,, Mexico
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Yesterday, we were delighted to offer assistance to our first two students, Marely Carolina Hernández Pérez (Carolina) and Ximena Lisset Esquinca Lomeli.
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Carolina and her parents moved to Bahía de Banderas from Chiapas.
Her father is an unskilled laborer doing construction work wherever he can. Her mother makes tortillas. Carolina is in her first quarter at UTBB studying medicine.
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UTBB Friends supports Carolina with a daily lunch and scrubs. Later she will need a medical kit, a stethoscope and a blood pressure monitor. Our goal is to provide assistance for Carolina through graduation.
‘My goal is to become a health care professional who contributes to the well-being of my community.”​ Carolina plans to return as a doctor to her small village in Chiapas.
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Ximena's mother is a single mom who works in domestic service. She earns about $9000 pesos a month. However, she has health problems and no insurance.
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Ximena says, “This is a considerable financial burden to her in addition to the normal household expenses. "I work on Saturdays and Sundays, earning approximately
300 pesos a day which partially covers my school-related expenses. However, it is not sufficient to cover all the needs associated with medical training. I am committed to my education and to working hard to achieve my professional goals.”
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Ximena is also studying medicine at UTBB.
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​​We will be with you all the way to graduation! Many thanks to our donors for helping make their dreams come true.
Carolina
Ximena