The most difficult experience in my life was when I had to leave school to go and work to help my dad to support our home. But the agreement that the employers gave the workers was a very low salary. This prepared me to be a good student to study in order to not be a day laborer, this is what made me return to school. I want to support others in their difficult moments, to motivate them to keep moving forward, this helps me to be a good leader. I am very disciplined and always turn my work in on time. I am responsible and help my classmates by explaining topics to them that they don't understand clearly. I want to continue to study computer science and engineering. I have always dreamed to meet this goal and with the support and help of Few for Change I can reach this goal. My other dream is for my family, to change the condition of the life we have lived for our entire lives. I can make this dream a reality by preparing me to continue studying and then find a good job so that I can help my family, my friends, and my community.

Omar struck us in his application with stories of struggle and perseverance. His motivation to continue studying, despite an incredibly long walk to school without breakfast, shines like a beacon of promise for the future. Omar has been able to maintain a high grade point average and perform as a star student despite his difficulties; a teacher noted that financial constraints and distance to school are the only things that stand in his way. Omar plans to eventually become a doctor and return to help his community, by giving lectures and bringing the best medical attention to those he loves. In the meantime, Omar loves to study natural sciences, which he says will help him to understand how humans and nature work and become a good doctor. Omar also dreams of supporting his family, and shared with us a wise bit of advice that we all could use to help us achieve our goals: "Without struggle there is no victory."

Ramón has been inspired by his grandfather who focused on the importance of education as the Cacique of the community, although he himself did not have the opportunity to study. His grandfather's dedication to the Comarca and his concern for the community's needs has inspired Ramón to further his education so that he can be of service to his community. Described by one of his teachers as "dynamic and intelligent," Ramón prides himself on being responsible, punctual, and a good friend. After finishing his studies, Ramón hopes to be an agent for change and a leader in the Comarca "to help and serve" those within the community that need his support. Ramón is fortunate in that his family is very supportive of his educational goals as his father was able to study for 3 years post high school on a competitive scholarship to Honduras. Since his family doesn't have many resources, the FFC scholarship helps the family keep Ramón and his 6 siblings in school. Representative of the family's generosity, one of Ramón's 6 siblings was "gifted" to the family by very poor friends because the friends did not have enough money to feed, clothe, and send him to school.

A first-year Few for Change scholar, Emilia stood out among this year's applicants with her passionate and well-written essay. She told us of a French female scientist that had come to her village while studying for her geology degree, and had impressed upon her the importance of environmental conservation. From this experience, Emilia developed a profound understanding of conservation and how it could benefit her community, as well as a clear direction for her career and life's work. At just 14 years old, Emilia shows maturity, personal responsibility, and drive. Her dream is to create an organization in the Comarca to educate people about the natural environment, and to utilize and protect the services it provides for future generations.

Olivia is bright young woman who is very proud of her Ngobe heritage. This pride was the theme of her application essay. "I want to fight and say that in our comarca (reservation) we can do many things if we try to reach our goals," she wrote. Olivia plans to help her community by becoming a health official and she understands that she must work very hard and focus on her studies to achieve her dream. Her teacher described her as positive, responsible, and observant, a quality which was apparent throughout her essay, but especially in her response regarding one of her favorite subjects in school. "One of my favorite subjects is informatica (technology) because it helps me to connect to the globalizing world in which we live and it will help me achieve my goal of being a health official."