Page 8 - FoC 2024 Summer Newsletter

EDUCATION

Sr. Peggy’s Legacy Continues...

Our education programs have been a major focus and success of our Mission for over 40 years. Post-secondary scholarships
have been especially impactful. The overwhelming majority of our 113 graduates of scholarships have jobs in their fields,
earning four times the income of those with no degree. This sustainable escape from poverty lifts multiple generations of their
family out of poverty.

When Sr. Peggy returned to the United States in 2015, we continued the Sr. Peggy Scholarship Program. We promised her that
the students in the program would be supported to finish their studies and acquire their degrees, titles, and certificates. We
are fulfilling that promise with a few more students scheduled to complete their studies soon after many years of disruption
from the pandemic.

Graduates, ACAF staff, FoC donors and scholarship candidates all confirm that a post-secondary scholarship is the most
successful program to escape poverty. With the pandemic in the past and all institutions open again, it is time to resume
the highly successful and valued Sr. Peggy Scholarship program with new scholarship recipients. We have an ACAF team of
social workers, educators, managers and human resource professionals in place to select candidates. The criteria for selection
include candidates’ ability, commitment, needs, plan to give back and opportunities in their field of study. We have experienced
managers to support and provide oversight of the students in their studies. Our goal is to find sponsors for and enroll 25
students in the program over the next few years.

In a new approach for our Mission, we are going to showcase candidates who have been qualified and selected and are ready
for a sponsor. These first two candidates are profiled below with additional candidates waiting in the wings. We are excited to
continue Sr. Peggy’s legacy and empower and transform lives at a fraction of the cost of U.S. post-secondary education. The
costs for all candidates include enrollment, tuition and fees, uniforms, supplies, transportation, internet access and final tests,
certificates, titles, and diploma. Sponsors will receive reports and updates on the student’s progress.
ALBERTO MARTINEZ SAHOMI RAMOS

Alberto is 18 years old and the oldest Sahomi is 18 years old and the eldest
of three children. His whole family of three girls. She lives in a multi-
works in the farm fields and lives in generation household with her
Cambio Puente. Alberto started his siblings, father, grandparents and
studies in the culinary profession and aunts. Her mother recently died from
excelled but had to drop out due to cancer. Her father, Robert, works
a lack of resources and to help his tirelessly to support the entire family
family. while her grandparents and aunts help with the children and
Despite these obstacles, Alberto was recognized as one of the household.
top students in his class and was invited to assist a renowned Sahomi is an accomplished student ranking third in her class
chef in a seafood workshop. A career in the burgeoning which qualifies her for direct admission to the highly sought
culinary industry in Peru would help Alberto lift his entire after National University of Santa. Her economic status prevents
family out of poverty and provide similar opportunities for her from enrolling. Her goal to become a University Professor
his siblings. is currently out of reach. Her aspirations and hope remain: “I

am a person who despite the various difficulties I have faced,
The cost for economically and emotionally, has not lost the desire to pursue
Alberto to my professional development. I know that I will achieve it with
complete great effort, dedication and commitment. I want to contribute
his studies is to society through education. I want a better future and to
$2,115 per year succeed honestly so that I can help and guide my younger
for 3 years. sisters, contributing to my family’s well-being”
The cost for Sahori to complete her studies is $1,600 per
Contact Todd Mickelson with questions or to sponsor Alberto, year for 5 years.
Sahomi or other scholarship candidates: toddm@friendsofchimbote.org

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