Voice from the field: Ligia Melania Aráuz Villareyna

Ligia Melania Aráuz Villareyna
Age: 21
Community: El Coyolar, el Tuma la Dalia
Project: Scholarship program
Partner Organization: CECOCAFEN

Ligia is a student who has twice received a scholarship through CECOCAFEN’s Scholarship Program. The first scholarship went toward the completion of her high school education. The second scholarship, awarded in 2007, allows her to work toward her accounting degree in Matagalpa. Today, at the age of 21, Ligia manages some of the day-to-day operations in the cooperative, is a board member of the cooperative and also the chairwoman of GMAS (Women’s Group Saving in Solidarity) in her community. Ligia travels every weekend from her community to the city of Matagalpa—approximately a one-hour bus ride—in order to take classes. She enjoys and appreciates her studies because they provide her with a chance for a better future while also supporting the work of the cooperative.

I feel very proud because now I can serve the people in my community, and because we the students have achieved, through our efforts and studies, to work with the mayor of the community. This has opened many doors and opportunities that were previously unavailable. If it were not for these opportunities, I would not be who I am today. I would not have the same verbal fluency—not even to express my gratitude to all the supporters who contribute to the scholarship program.

I received much help from my cooperative, which now acknowledges my work with a salary. I am very grateful to them. The aim was to provide us with training and support our education, so that in turn we would work in the cooperative.