In My Own Words

November 2013

My name is Larry Brenes Ramirez. I am 21 years old and I live in a community which is called Pilas Occidentales, Masaya. I studied high school at Liceo Autonomo Maria Auxiliadora School, (Los Altos-Masaya). When I was 16 years old and I was in my last year of high school my classroom was visited by Walter and Antonio. They let us know about an organization called BECA.org which gives full scholarships to students who did not have the enough money to study at a university. The first step to get a full scholarship was first to study computer for three months and second to volunteer in my community for other three months. That caught all my attention because in my mind this was a great opportunity for me since I thought I was not going to get a degree because of economic problems. I went to BECA’s office that was located at INTECOMP-MASAYA. When I was there I gave my identification documents to Antonio who was the Coordinator. He then gave me an application form which I filled out and gave back to him before 5:00 pm. the same day. After that Antonio asked me to wait until January of the next year for an answer.

On January 13, 2009 I got some bad news. My name did not appear in on the scholarship list. Therefore, I called Antonio and told him my name was not on the list. He told me there could be another chance for me. “If someone does not arrive the first day of the computer course, we will call you.” I left that place hopeless, bewildered and wondering what kind of person was going to lose that opportunity. No one is foolish enough to do it! However, what happened next was that I was phoned by Antonio telling me three people did not show up, so then, he informed me that I was going to be part of BECA.org.

Getting the news, I jumped in excitement and shouted thanks to God for the chance He had given to me. I started the first phase of the program, and since the very beginning I never missed any of my classes. Being in BECA.org I met Bryan who is a very special person I will never forget. Also, in BECA.org I learned several important things: to be responsible, punctual, dynamic, hardworking, participative and even the importance of saving life through giving blood. I am really glad with all the social work I did and the people I met in it. The time passed and I opted for the scholarship. Next, thanks to God I studied Industrial Chemistry for three years at INTECNA-Granada. I did all of these throughout struggles and difficulties but with the help of God who made me be the person I am. Currently, I am working at CENTROLAC. S.A. as a chemistry analyst (collecting center) Thanks BECA.org Thanks to my sponsors Thanks to the BECA.org team Thanks to the BECA.org family God bless…

*Translated by Oliver Chavarría (November 2013)