The Best Thing about Jaltemba Bay: The People .
Tara A. Spears
The real charm of Jaltemba Bay is more than the scenery and outstanding winter climate, the real attraction is the people. The majority are intelligent, hard -working and friendly. When the Women to Women group started fundraising in 2002, they felt that the most significant thing they could do for their adopted home would be to open the door to the future for bright teens dreaming of going to university. Since that time, Women to Women have financially supported 82 talented local women to attend university- with the majority completing their studies and graduating! This humble little fishing village is steadily moving towards being middle class. Education is one of the most powerful things in life. It allows us to find the meaning behind everything and helps improve lives in a multiple ways, not just financially but by exposing one to new ideas.
With the effect of covid 19 pandemic changing how most people live, it took extra sacrifice and tenacity for young people to continue their studies. Accolades go to the 20 women pictured above: not only are they focused on learning but four are graduating this year. We are so proud of them! It is very exciting to be conducting business around Jaltemba Bay and recognize the Women to Women scholarship students working. The following photos show but a small portion of the variety of professions: RN nurse; Lawyer; Quality Control for a major food processing Company; Medical Doctor.
For the past seven years Women to Women Scholarships have had more applications than we can help. Therefore, the individuals selected are the best of the best: each chosen young woman demonstrated economic need, exceptional academic performance, leadership qualities, and responsibility through working and volunteering. To be considered each student completes an application packet that requires letters of recommendation, personal essays in both English and Spanish as well as an interview. The application is continually available online www.mujeresamujeres.com but the completed packets are only accepted during January and February for consideration at the Tecno Com Office in La Penita.
One of the active scholarship students, Sofia Monje Valdez, is an excellent example of how education is the passport to the future: she is spending her summer learning how to build a new type of garbage possessor that is environmentally safe. Wow! Since I –and all Guayabitos residents- have been choking on toxic smoke from the overloaded, burning municipal dump, Sofia is offering a positive solution. On the interview, when asked how receiving a scholarship would impact her life, Sofia replied, “It is the bright young people that have the potential to enact change. Because I love my town and its environment, I want to study eco-tourism to protect and enhance our natural treasure.” Congratulations, Sofia for being selected to participate in this innovative and vital project.
Many, many thanks go to all the generous supporters that attend the annual event each January. Many, many thanks go to all those that were sponsors for our virtual No-Show Fashion Show 2021. Your donations enable us to keep supporting these wonderful, talented young women. You can donate from any place, at any time on our website, www.mujeresamujeres.com Best of all, look ahead for the 2022 Women to Woman event the third week of January: walk the red carpet and see your friends in their pretty outfits. You can meet the young women at the event.
Education gives us an understanding of the world around us and offers us an opportunity to use that knowledge wisely. For all of the 82 Jaltemba Bay women that Women to Women group has enabled to attend university, we congratulate them for seeking knowledge. Not only is she a better adult because of the experience but her family and community benefit. As Nelson Mandela observed, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” http://www.solmexiconews.com
