Peruvian Hearts - Girls' Education & Empowerment

Peruvian Hearts continues to be inspired by the girls we work with and the ongoing generosity of our supporters and thoughtful donors. It is because of your loyal support that the girls in Peru are breaking the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families. Your investment in these girls that is changing the world. Thank you again for your desire to be part of this meaningful and lasting change. The 30 girls we support are studying degrees such as architecture, law, economics, accounting, chemical engineering, mining engineering, civil engineering, education, art, culinary arts, communications & systems, business administration, tourism, and archeology. The following updates are about two young women, Gloria and Jessica, who over just the last few months have shown their great motivation to transform their lives, have established real dreams for a brighter future, and are quickly aquiring the skills and power to significantly change the world.

At just 16 years old, and having graduated from secondary school last December, Gloria, one of Peruvian Hearts youngest scholars, is making history while transforming her life and completely changing the future of her family. One of Peruvian Hearts’ most distinguished scholars, she was recently accepted to attend Pontifical Catholic University of Peru in Lima, to study Mining Engineering on a complete financial scholarship. Gloria was the only female recipient and one of two students (out of hundreds of applicants in Cusco) to receive the extremely competitive award, Beca 18, the most prestigious scholarship offered by the Peruvian government. Gloria was honored nationally and recognized in front of a large crowd in Cusco for her outstanding academic achievement and for entering what has previously been a thought of as a predominantly male industry, mining engineering. She is very excited to begin her five-year university career in August. We are thrilled for Gloria and proud of the amazing opportunity that she has earned. She has always been inspired, motivated, and driven to succeed with a constant vision of her larger dreams.

At 20 years old, Jessica joined Peruvian Hearts in February and has quickly proven herself to be a true leader and an extremely hardworking and motivated young woman. She began her university studies in economics in April at the National University in Cusco. During a welcome ceremony for the incoming class of students at the National University, a faculty member offered anyone in the entire student body an opportunity to speak in front of the audience. After no other students volunteered, Jessica stood up and took the opportunity to say a few words. She enthusiastically thanked the faculty and staff, on behalf of her entire class, for welcoming the new students, and spoke of her excitement about getting to know her classmates, and the benefits of learning from each other over the course of their studies. After she finished her remarks, the students began chanting, “Presidente! Presidente! Presidente!” Jessica has said she is not sure if she is ready to run for class president yet because she is still very focused on her schoolwork, but that she will think about it in the future. A quick learner, Jessica is growing accustomed to her demanding university schedule while also adjusting to her new life in the Peruvian Hearts apartment in Cusco with several of the other scholars, including her sister, Alexandra, who is studying accounting.  Both Jessica and Alexandra are exceptionally inspired to become leaders and agents of change, transforming the lives their entire family and their communities.

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