Higher education for indigenous women in Mexico

When I came to study university, I felt nervous about starting anew in a different town with different people. However, I wanted the opportunity to start something new where I didn’t know anyone.

 As time went by, really only a few months, I realized that I still had a hard time trusting people. I felt that I could face everything alone, until a difficult situation led me to find Centro de Compartimiento, a place where, without fully understanding how it worked, I felt that it would be a safe space, where I would have the necessary support to continue with my studies.

At first it seemed strange to me that they did not expect anything in return for the support they give us; room, board, utilities and services. It took me a while to integrate because everything seemed too good to be true, but it showed me that there are still places that give us hope for a better world. Here I was able to live with other students in a healthy way.

CDC is a space of coexistence and safety where I was able to experience something new and different, while studying. I found what I had been looking for in the depths of my heart, I was finally able to reconnect with myself and little by little and then with other people. I learned about topics as diverse as understanding my family struggles over time, understanding that relationships between men and women do not have to be a battle, there is good and bad in all, how to recognize our own reality to face it and learn to develop true leadership. With all this learning, I have a different perspective and feel I am a better person, creating healthy communities and also helping other people. I was able to take a big step in my life being here, not only academically, but also in my personal growth.

 I greatly enjoyed every birthday celebration and occasion when we got together, such as Thursday afternoons dedicated to delving into different topics. We became true sisters, sharing laughter, supporting each other, and listening to each other in difficult times. These experiences not only strengthened our bonds, but also showed us the true meaning of friendship. It is inspiring to see how the CDC program seeks to deepen our understanding and guide us.

Now I have managed to complete my architecture degree. I am deeply thankful for the support my family gave me, and of course CDC, for sticking with me and everything I received, becoming part of my family.  I undersand that without all of our donors our program would not exist.  A big thank you to all of you.  

Here at CDC, we are so proud of all of our students' accomplishments during their time with us and after they leave our program. Many of our students stay in touch with us over the years and invite us to share the next steps in their lives. This is the case with Jatziri, a young woman who joined CDC in 2018 to study high school. 

Jatziri is from a small community named Chocolate. It is part of the Ayuuk (Mixe) community in the northeast of Oaxaca. The native language of the town is Low Mixe and Jatziri grew up speaking first Mixe, then Spanish. Jatziri's father drives a cargo and passenger pickup that connects Chocolate with Matias Romero, the largest city in the region.  Her mother works in the home and the family sells embroidered huipil (blouses).

Jatziri dreamed of studying high school, but there was none in her town of fewer than 1000 residents. Instead of daily traveling more than an hour to Matias Romero her parents heard about CDC and came to register it in the Conalep High School in Juchitan. Conalep is a "terminal" high school where students can get a  certificate for entry-level health, tech, and mechanic jobs.  She began with the dream of getting her tech certificate in health to work in a doctor's office.

Jatziri lived in CDC for almost two years. But her time was cut short by COVID.  Although she finished high school online from her village, living with the university students here at CDC she was inspired to think about college to become a nurse. Her dream was postponed by COVID and she moved to Mexico City to live with an aunt and work. 

In 2022 she told us she had recieved a scholarship to a gastronomy program in Mexico City. She sent us a photo of herself with a very tall chef. Jatziri, small even by our region's standards, seemed a girl next to the chef. Yet, her smile told us how pleased she was to be in the program. 

Two years later she has graduated with her Universal Chef certificate from the APSIC Institute of Gastronomy. With great tenderness, she wrote and invited us to accompany her on the festive night of her graduation. We were honored and traveled to Mexico City for the event. It was a gala event. Her entire family arrived to celebrate her achievement, all dressed in traditional clothing from our region. They shone among the other families who were dressed in modern attire.

The night began with the graduation ceremony. With ninety other students, Jatziri received her certificate. An elegant dinner followed, pepared by the restaurant of one of the chef instructors from the school. It was a four-course meal, elegant and delicious. After dinner, the party began and the graduates and families got up to dance to the music of a live band

Jatziri has a job lined up in Mexico City, where she will work and get experience. Yet, her dream is to return to our region and open a restaurant focused on local food. We are very proud of Jatziri and were so happy to share in her celebration.

It is thanks to your donations that young women like Jatziri have the opportunity to dream and reach their goals.  We ask you to join us in celebrating this next step for Jatziri and hope you can continue to support young women like her to keep thier dreams alive.