Robinsson is a determined 20-year-old learning to care for others while discovering new strengths within himself. He’s currently pursuing his nursing degree, a blessing sent to him from Chalice.
His sponsor, through our Luis Amigó site in Guatemala, ensured he made it to high school graduation, despite the challenges of the pandemic and his country’s dropout crisis. But then he faced new obstacles. Few employers will hire applicants with only high school diplomas, preventing aspiring students like Robinsson from earning their own tuitions. Across Guatemala, only a small percentage of Guatemalan youth are able to pursue higher education.
Robinsson had the will and the academic capabilities, but university tuition was beyond what he and his family could afford.
So, in 2022, the Luis Amigó site team partnered with Chalice to support six sponsored students and four siblings of sponsored students who needed financial assistance to attend university. Robinsson learned that he was one of these students.
“This program has truly been a blessing,” Robinsson says. “Thanks to this support, I have been able to continue studying without interruption, cover my academic needs, and fully focus on my training. What once seemed like insurmountable challenges have become achievable goals. My family has also been an unconditional support—one of my greatest motivations to keep moving forward.”
Each year has brought new opportunities and challenges. He’s done three internships that have honed both his technical and interpersonal skills. He’s well versed in the gamut of nursing roles, from public health awareness to critical patient care to specialized procedures.
“These experiences have been key in shaping my aspirations: to successfully complete this semester [and] graduate with excellence,” he says. He’s set his sights on becoming a hospital service coordinator, hoping to offer quality care to patients on a regional level.
“I am sincerely grateful to the scholarship program and to everyone who makes it possible,” he says. “Your commitment to the education and development of young people like me not only changes lives, but also plants hope in our communities. Today, I feel more motivated than ever to give back, grow, and become a professional who truly makes a difference.”