MEET GABRIELA

from Impact Newsletter Spring 2023

MEET JULIO

Angelica Bac graduated from our Oportunidades program in November 2022. She is currently enrolled in a Microsoft Office certification course, and she hopes to become a systems engineer in the future.

“This program has helped me a lot, economically and academically…My life would not be the same without the help of Safe Passage…”

Gabriela is 20 years old and was enrolled with Safe Passage for 6 years. She graduated from our Oportunidades Program in the Fall of 2019 and thanks to a scholarship from our partners at Shared Beat, was embarking on her first year of medical school at the Mariano Galvez University of Guatemala when the pandemic hit.

Gabriela has not allowed the pandemic to interrupt her studies. Now, as a fourth year student, Gabriela spends 4 days each week in theoretical classes and 1-2 days in the hospital as a medical intern.

Gabriela shared, “My time at Safe Passage was vital for me and a complete blessing, because my mom could not give me the opportunity to study.”

This is what motivates her, Gabriela said, “…I try to have the best grades and be grateful for every opportunity I have…I came to serve and help and want to do something like what Safe Passage does. I want to help the people around me, my circle… Safe Passage offers us something that no one else does, and it gives us the motivation to keep going and do things better every day.”

What are 2022 and 2023 Grads doing now?

“I am really thankful to Safe Passage for the opportunity of being part of this family, for the love and patience that I receive every day. Thank you for my education and the opportunity of a better future.”

Vanessa – Basico Student

“They have taught me many things to allow me to grow and face the world. They have taught me to make an effort and thanks to that effort, I am who I am today. They have supported me in my failures and never doubted my achievements…”

Maruin – Oportunidades Student

This year, we asked some of our older students, who are preparing to move on to the next step in their educational journey or careers, “How has Safe Passage Impacted your Life?” These are some of their responses:

“The teachers do their best to teach the subject matter, and they also take care of how we feel. It’s a place where we can meet amazing people. I feel lucky being here.”

Rosselin – Basico Student

“Safe Passage has impacted my life by helping me become a better person and has changed my way of thinking… Safe Passage has taught me to see life in a different way.”

Zuly – Oportunidadas Student