I have had many challenges, personal and academic, but that has made me stronger and has helped me fight for my dream. Now I have completed one of my main dreams—graduating from college.
Rodolfo comes from a place full of gangs and problems where people have to fight daily to survive. In November 2003 he started a new life, he says. That’s when he came to Esperanza Juvenil. A priest who was worried about him contacted the authorities of Esperanza Juvenil and told them about Rodolfo.
As time went on he went through many difficulties with his family. One of his brothers was murdered in 2005, another in 2006, and the last one in 2007. They were victims of their own neighborhood, a marginal area where gangs rule.
In 2007 his high school graduation helped him to overcome this crisis in his life. Knowing he had a chance to go to college helped him move on, he says.
Starting college in 2008 changed my life. In the last five years, I have had fabulous experiences. I have had many challenges—personal and academic—but that has made me stronger and has helped me fight for my dream. Now I have completed one of my main dreams—graduating from college.
Rodolfo earned his business degree from Universidad Rafael Landívar in 2013. He is now working at a Canadian services company, and leading the Esperanza Juvenil Alumni group.
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