Fernando and Francisco
Fernando and Steve with a new laptop. Thank you, Steve!
Twins Francisco and Fernando take three buses to get to campus from Volcanes in Puerto Vallarta. The 800 pesos a week for both students, takes a huge chunk out of the family income. "The only support comes from our mom; 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 pesos 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. We want to work, but it is impossible because we live 1 hour to 1 and a half hours from the campus and we would not have the necessary time to do our homework." [Translated from Spanish]
Their mother earns an average of 3500 pesos a month. ($200US, $275CAN)
Fernando is majoring in Virtual Environments and Digital Business. Francisco in Industrial Maintenance. Can you imagine majoring in Virtual Environments and Digital Business without your own computer?
We support the twins with daily meals, bus coupons and any materials they need for their majors. Fernando received a new laptop from a generous donor. His joy at this unexpected gift was massive. Francisco received a complete industrial toolkit.
The way I am grateful is inexplicable because you have always been there for us at all times, always showing us help and turning a dream into a reality.
Thank you very much for everything you have done for all of us, always looking after our needs. I am very grateful from the bottom of my heart.
May God multiply it for you. - Francisco
Fernando opening his new tool kit!
With your help we can continue supporting Fernando and Francisco. Learn more about how you can help, or how to sponsor an individual student, here.
Gael was recommended to UTBB Friends by his counselor. His story is not unusual - working long hours, multiple forms of transportation to get to the campus, and a course of study (Culinary Arts) perfect for our tourist area that requires expensive supplies and materials. In his letter to us he said:
"I am Gael Islas Pulido, I am 18 years old and I am in the second semester of the Gastronomy program. I live an hour away from the university. On occasions, when I am running late due to not sleeping well because of my work, I take two modes of transportation to arrive on time.
Learn more about how to sponsor an individual student here.
In my job, I do not earn enough to cover the university expenses, and now that the work season is low, I do not work full shifts and I earn less, $400 pesos. [$23 US, $32 CAN] per day. Therefore, in the first days of attending the university, that money runs out. Additionally, I do not receive financial help from my family; my grandmother works in a bar as a waitress where she earns $250 [14.50 US, 19.80 CAN]. per day plus some tips she receives, since they also have limited income and various expenses, they cannot support me.
For this reason, I try to work as much as possible to obtain more income; however, this affects my academic performance, since sometimes I do not have time to do homework or I fall asleep due to accumulated lack of sleep. I must get up at 5:00 a.m. to be able to arrive at school on time, and I leave work at 12:00 p.m. Despite this, I strive to submit all my activities on time and to attend university daily."[Translated}
Happily, Gael has a sponsor! The support he receives eases the burden for Gael - he can spend less time working and more time studying. The sponsor is providing a laptop, a backpack, basic school supplies. a chef uniform and money for transportation. Culinary Arts students like Gael must pay for their own supplies. It's a lucrative career in this area, but an expensive course of study. Gael can depend on support through graduation.
"I want to express my most sincere gratitude to the scholarship program for the financial support provided. Thanks to this support, I have been able to continue with my academic training and get closer to my professional goals. This support not only represents financial assistance, but also a motivation to keep striving and give my best in every stage of my education." - Gael
Alan is majoring in Physical Therapy. He lives in Independencia, Puerto Vallarta. His grade point average is 90.2%.
Alan takes two buses to get to the campus each day.
Alan was recommended to UTBB Friends by his counselor. (Counselors recommend students when they know the student can be successful, but is at risk of dropping out for financial reasons.)
Alan's mother works as a waitress, she brings home about 4700 pesos a month (275USD, 380 CAN). There are 6 people in the home.
Alan works "informally" at a small cafe in Puerto Vallarta. Informally means he is paid cash with no benefits.
Alan wrote in his application: "I am a Physical Therapy student. I am writing this letter because I need the help that could be provided to me through this scholarship, as I do not have much capital to buy my materials. The material or help I need includes books, materials for my career such as a goniometer, stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, transportation, among others. Having these materials would allow me to make better use of my academic results. I appreciate the opportunity to participate in the support offered by this organization. Thank you." [Translated]
Fortunately, Alan has a sponsor. His sponsor pays for transportation and books. He will need a stethoscope and blood pressure monitor. A community member donated a laptop. Alan is on his way to a successful future.
Jocelyn lives in the Pitillal area of Puerto Vallarta. She takes two busses to get to the University
She is majoring in Physical Therapy. Now in her fourth quarter, Jocelyn is an excellent student - her grade point average is 9.4.
Jocelyn is one of the first students in the UTBB Friends Scholarship program. We provided bus tickets for her trip from Pitillal to Nuevo Nayarit. But when there was a change in the family's circumstances, Jocelyn reluctantly came to us for more help.
When she first applied to UTBB Friends Jocelyn was careful to say that her family was "doing well". We were surprised because their income seemed low to us. All she requested, though, was help with the cost of transportation. Jocelyn receives bus coupons from UTBB Friends weekly. Jocelyn's mother makes tortillas to earn money for her family.
Her father earned enough to cover most of the expenses and Jocelyn's tuition. But recently, because of the drop in tourism in our area, her mother is earning much less from making tortillas. And her father has left and is no longer providing support. Jocelyn finally approached us because she was unable to pay her tuition and was at risk of having to leave the University.
Hearing about her through his connection to UTBB Friends, Jim Weber from Saskatoon, Canada, and his wife Kathy, agreed to sponsor Jocelyn. They will pay her tuition and transportation until she graduates.
Iyari lives in Valle Dorado, Bahia de Banderas, Nayarit, Mexico
She is majoring in Medicine - Surgery and Midwifery
Iyari is 18 years old. Her grade point average is 9.7. Iyari is an excellent student. She was recommended to UTBB Friends by her counselor.
Iyari's mother is a part-time teacher in Santiago Ixcuintla, three hours from campus. Though her mother is her main support, Iyari lives with her maternal uncle in Valle Dorado. Her mother earns about $600 US a month. ($430 CAN)
Iyari requested funds for tuition.
Iyari says, "Hello, my name is Iyari Yanae Guzmán. I am 18 years old and I am a medical student at the campus of the Technological University of Bahía de Banderas. I would like to request a scholarship, as being from out of town generates a lot of expenses, and this would help my mother, who is a single mother and the family's main support. I live here in Bahía de Banderas with a maternal uncle, and the scholarship would help me a lot. And it would lessen the burden on my mother. I greatly appreciate your attention and thank you very much." [Translated]
Jim and Kathy Weber also sponsor Iyari.
Samuel is a student in the Surgeon and Midwife program at UTBB. He said in his application, "I address you with respect and hope, motivated by the purpose that drives your alliance: to support students facing economic difficulties and prevent them from abandoning their professional training. Since I entered the program, I have maintained a firm commitment to my academic performance. I believe that my education not only represents a personal goal but also a social responsibility. Being a doctor involves discipline, perseverance, and a vocation for service, values that I strive to practice daily. Currently, I face economic challenges that have led me to seek alternatives to sustain my studies. During university breaks, I sell brownies, and at the end of my classes, instead of going straight home, I position myself outside the Costa University Center to sell books. These activities allow me to cover part from my academic and personal expenses, although at times they involve sacrificing rest time and even basic needs. The support of UTBB Friends Student Assistance would represent a significant difference in my journey. It would allow me to focus more energy on my academic preparation, strengthen my knowledge, and continue advancing without the risk of economic limitations hindering my professional development." Samuel is a driven student with incredible potential. His classmates see him as a leader. Amy and Gary Abrahams sponsor Samuel.
Mia lives in El Guamuchil, Nayarit, a 40 minut bus ride from UTBB. She is majoring in Marketing and Business Development, and is completing her internship at Vidanta.
Mia's mother works as a cook at a beach restaurant, supporting Mia and her 2 sisters. Gary and Amy Abrahams sponsor Mia and will continue until she graduates in 2027.
