Tania becomes educate.’s first university graduate!

This week, our scholarship student Tania became our very first university graduate, achieving her degree in Industrial Engineering with honours!

Born and raised in the coffee-growing town of Trinidad, Santa Bárbara, Tania grew up living with her mother, sister, grandparents, uncle and younger cousin, in a community on the outskirts of the town. She attended the local high school, Instituto Juan Lindo, where she graduated in November 2017 with a 97% average, one of just two students to receive an award for academic excellence. Her outstanding academic performance and insatiable passion and drive for learning, despite difficult economic circumstances, led her to be awarded one of our first ever university scholarships in 2018.

educate. was set up to empower children and young people in Honduras through education. At the time we had no Youth Center, no local team, and we sought out students with passion, drive, and a willingness to take on the challenge of a university education as first-generation students. Tania was all of this and more.

Today, six years after our first visit to Tania’s home, it is incredible to see the young woman she has become. As we celebrate Tania’s graduation, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on her journey as an educate. scholar, and what this achievement means for her, her family, her community, and educate.

Starting university

 “I think studying makes you a different person. You are taken into consideration by society and you develop as a person in the best way. If you study you can also help your family and you have so many more opportunities.”

Tania wrote these words after her first semester of university, having left her rural community and moved to the city to pursue her degree. Her goal was always clear: “I want to become an industrial engineer. I want to help my family, and other people who don’t have the opportunities that I now have.”

Studying engineering was not easy. Aside from challenging classes, Tania was often one of few girls in her career track. She said at the time: “Many people have asked me ‘wow, why are you studying that? It’s for guys!’  But I know I can do it, I’ll succeed.”

Studying through the pandemic

Tania completed the third and fourth years of her studies online during university closures in the pandemic, living at home with her family.

“It has not been easy studying during the pandemic and adapting to online classes,” she wrote in one of her written reflections at the time. Her scholarship allowed her to cover costs such as internet at home so that she could continue her studies virtually. Despite the challenges, she continued to excel in her classes, making the most of every opportunity.

A professional work placement

Part of every university degree in Honduras is a 6-month work placement. Tania completed her placement at a large food corporation in San Pedro Sula, which she said was an excellent experience, allowing her to put into practice much of what she had learned during her studies. Especially with many of her classes having been online, her work placement was a chance to learn things hands-on.

A first generation university graduate

As a first generation university graduate from a rural community, Tania’s degree is an extraordinary achievement.

Tania says: “I want to express my gratitude to this organization for making my dream of graduating from the top university in industrial engineering come true. Thank you for all the emotional and financial support when I needed it the most, this degree is also for you. I am very proud to be the first university scholarship student graduate from educate.! I will continue working to support more young professionals who will make this organization and our country proud. As young people, we can inspire others to achieve their dreams.”

Tania has recently joined our Board of Directors in Honduras, where she is taking on a new role within educate. to help lead us to new heights.

The impact of scholarships

As a grassroots organization dedicated to education and youth empowerment, we see every day with the young people we work with the enormous challenges that young people in rural areas face in accessing an education. In 2023, just 29% of young people between 15 to 17 in Honduras were in school, and university remains an even greater challenge. Scholarships make education accessible, and allow young people to transform their lives and communities. We are so proud to see Tania graduate, and stand today as a leader and role model for other young people to follow.

Congratulations, Tania!