Higher education for indigenous students in Mexico

We are pleased that Greysi, one of our former students, is back and active at Centro De Compartimiento (CDC).  But now she is not receiving services but giving back to CDC.  Greysi came to CDC eight years ago to go to high school.   Greysi is from a small fishing town on the coast of Oaxaca.  She was raised by her grandparents and her aunt after her mother died and then her father left when she was a small child.  After her grandfather had a stroke and could no longer work, the family did not have the money to send Greysi to school.  Greysi's family heard of CDC's program through another young woman in her town who was a resident student at CDC, and they came to visit the program.  Greysi was accepted into the program, and she started high school with a specialty in nursing. 

It was not an easy adjustment, on the surface a happy young woman, she had trouble with motivation, often missing chores and getting up too late for school.  Although cared for by her family, the loss of her mother and abandonment of her father were open wounds that were interfering with her ability to move forward.  At CDC she found a place not only to go to school but also a place to share her story, heal her wounds and find other young women who had lived and survived tragedy in their lives.  

She finished high school and was accepted into Universidad del Istmo nursing program.  She left CDC when one of her cousins came to town to study high school, and her family asked her to look out for her cousin.  She lived near CDC and often visited, as a mentor to the younger students and to keep in touch with her friends still in the program.

Greysi graduated from nursing school and is doing her year of National Service at the Military Hospital in Ixtaltpec, Oaxaca.   She is considering her options after her year of service including enlisting in the Mexican Navy as a nurse.    This fall we invited her to be on our the board of CDC. Her experiences in the program and the community will be of great benefit to our programs.  We are so happy that she had decided to join our work.  She is excited to be able to give back now that she is firmly on the road to her career. 

We thank you all for your continued support of the young women here in Mexico, helping girls like Greysi get an education and then become active members in their community to help others.  As the holiday season approaches please consider a year-end gift to support our program.  Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding the program.  

The staff and students at CDC wish you all a blessed holiday season and a very Happy New Year.