Epitacia Muñoz Torres (Sponsored)

Epitacia, 14, like her cousin Julia (below) is from Pie de Cuesta. The school at Urique is much closer to where she lives but there she had a cousin who committed suicide after being abused by a male student. Thus, she goes to school in San Rafael, much farther from her home. She stays in the Indigenous boarding facility whose director approached us for help. Epitacia hopes to eventually attend college but has trouble maintaining her drive as she had no money to come home during school breaks nor could her parents visit. Her father volunteers helping with Tarahumara programs, her mother cooks at the school but they have little income. Sponsored by Linda Ford through sales of her book, "A Field Guide to the Wildflowers of Mexico's Copper Canyon Region" available from her at http://www.coppercanyonwildflowers.com/project.htm

Julia Mancinas Portillo (Sponsored)

Julia, 17,  is in her second year in Cerocahui, she lives in Pie de la Cuesta, 6 hours below Urique. Two years ago Rota-Scholars made an exception and helped her complete primary education at the Cerocahui boarding school for Tarahumara Girls. Julia comes from a nonfunctional family. Her seven siblings were given to other families in different places, she has met her biological father only once. Her determination to improve herself is amazing considering her background. She is sponsored by project Director Doug Rhodes and his wife Ana Maria with whom she lives while continuing her studies

Irma Leticia Mancinas Carillo (Sponsored)

At 14 years of age, from Churo and in the third year at San Rafael; Irma’s situation is a heartbreaker. First her father left then, recently, the mother abandoned her. An uncle brought her to us. She is shy, withdrawn, has little in the way of material things but somehow maintains an 82% average. She lives with an aunt. To help in her support, her grandparents walk 4 hours each way to sell firewood. Irma is being sponsored by Barbara of Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Lucas and Genoveva Conchencho Murillo (Sponsored)

Lucas, 14, is in his first year at the Creel Indigenous boarding school, his sister Genoveva, 17, is in her second year. The two siblings are from Moribo, an inclined Mesa that can be seen from Cerro Gallegos across canyon and three hours walk upstream from Urique. Her family survives by agriculture and by odd jobs her father sometimes finds in construction. Neither had been farther from the Sierra than Creel, we took Genoveva to Cuauhtemoc for a skin allergy and later took Lucas for a haircut and to make things equal. Neither knew anything about traffic lights, had never been in a city, and were open-eyed the entire time but we found they both enjoyed hamburgers. Both students are sponsored by Linda Ford through sales of her book, "A Field Guide to the Wildflowers of Mexico's Copper Canyon Region" available from directly from her. at http://www.coppercanyonwildflowers.com/project.htm.

Karen Janeth Zafiro Requejo (Sponsored)

Karen, 14, has ambitions to become a veterinarian which stands to reason since her father has spent his lifetime working with cattle and horses. She is from Cerocahui where she is in the second year with an 81% grade average. Of her four siblings, only she and her brother Angel continue to study. We have noticed that she often helps other students and pitches in to help whenever needed. She is sponsored by  Eduardo of the Paso del Norte (Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua) Rotary Club.

Rosalba and Angelica Ayala Quintero

Rosalba (left), 14, is in her second year, Angelica (right) 16, is in her third year both are studying in Creel but living at home. They live in a small adobe shack with their Mother and two siblings. Originally from Huicorachi, the family was rescued from a dominant, abusive father who took the children's school money for drink, beat her mother frequently, and attempted to abuse Angelina and an older sister, Veronica, who graduated from High School last year and is studying to become a nurse. The family is struggling but content now that they are no longer stressed by constant danger.

Guadalupe Rascon Quintero (Sponsored)

Lupito, 14, is in his first year in San Rafael, he was recommended for assistance by the director of the Indigenous boarding school there. He is from Porochi and follows his brother Bernabe in his present school. His father is a farmer, his mother takes care of the house. In sixth grade he had an 88% average but these averages usually fall when the students go off to more demanding Junior High schools. He is sponsored by the Lander, Wyoming, Rotary Interact Club.

Rosario Jacinto and Carlos Ivan Gomez (Sponsored)

Brothers Rosario and Carlos are originally from Baragomachi; their family moved to Cerocahui because to avoid violence and so the boys could attend school. Rosario, 13, is in the first year, his brother Carlos, 15, is in the second year. The brothers are very bright and always eager to help out and to walk long distances for any help they can obtain for their school needs. They are sponsored by Doña Gabriela from Mexico City.

Maria Claudia Quintero Gutierrez (Sponsored)

Claudia is 15 years old and has lead a tough life caring for her quadriplegic father for 10 years. Her mother deserted the family shortly after her father's 1999 accident. Claudia and her older sister, Margarita, have been responsible for his care since then. Claudia is her father's last hope for a successful person in his family and, we feel, could be the reason he refuses to die. Even so, she has been struggling in school, barely making passing grades. Recently Rota-Scholars assigned a tutor to her and she has been working with her. She lives in Cerocahui with her father, an unwed sister and her baby. She is in her second year in Cerocahui. She is sponsored by the Novato, California, Rotary Club.

Diana Laura Perez Frias (Sponsored)

Diana, 13, is in her first year attending school in Creel and living in the Indigenous boarding facility. Her father deserted the family when she was young. Her mother farms and bakes bread to help keep her three children in school. She is from the remote village of Coraraivo in the Municipio of Guazapares. We visited her humble home in October and were most impressed with her mother's concern and sincerity. Diana's sister Lupe was in the scholarship program for three years but had to take a break from high school this year because of some problems with her paperwork. She is sponsored by Linda Ford through sales of her book, "A Field Guide to the Wildflowers of Mexico's Copper Canyon Region" available from her at http://www.coppercanyonwildflowers.com/project.htm.

Antonia and Leticia Cienaga Mares (Sponsored)

Antonia, 15, shown in the top photo is in her second year at the San Rafael School, a shy young lady, she has a 70% grade average. Her sister, Leticia, 14 is in her first year, last year she did well with a 83% average in 6th grade but the averages usually slump with students go from a rural primary school to a junior high school in a larger town. The girls live in the Indigenous boarding facility. Neither father nor mother can find employment, which is scarce in their small ranchito of Bacamuchi, Municipio de Guazapares. Although frequently ill, her father earns some money by taking oranges on the back of burros to sell in larger towns. Both girls were recommended by the director of the boarding facility who has also loaned them backpacks and school supplies.  of Mexico City. Both sisters are sponsored by Doña Gabriela of Mexico City.

Herminia Frias Orduño (Sponsored)

Herminia, 16, is in her third year, She is from Rocoroyvo in the Municipio de Uruachi, roughly 5 hard driving hours on dirt roads from San Rafael where she goes to school. Her family survives by planting corn and beans for subsistence and tomatillos to sell. Her goal is to one day become a Catholic Sister in a new order being formed to serve the Sierra Tarahumara with people from the region. To this end she is living with Hermans Sanjuana who recommended her for assistance. They live in a room loaned to them along with several other girls. Herminia is shy and retiring, like most Tarahumara girls but has a spark and dignity about her. She is sponsored by Doña Gabriela of Mexico City.
 

Fabian Saucedo Gutierrez

Fabian, 13 is from Naranjo but enrolled in the secondary school in Cerocahui. He is in his second year and struggling both financially and academically. When he was in 6th grade his mother approached us at a campground and asked for help with his education. He is a shy, humble boy with a desire to learn and go forward which is different from most youths of his pueblo.

Marisela Perez Perez and Oliver Perez Cienega (Sponsored)

Cousins Marisela, 15, and Oliver, 14, have always gone to school together and are more like siblings than cousins. They plan to graduate from junior high this year. Both of their mothers were raised in a roadside cave on the rim of the Urique canyon, Oliver's father died before he was born, Marisela's father abandoned them early in her life. With a 98% average Marisela receives some help in her studies from her school. Oliver averaged 90% but has been ill and his grades slipped some this past year. He was most receptive to counseling, has promised to do better and has kept his promise. Both students and their parents are highly dedicated and never miss a scholarship meeting or event. They are sponsored by the Lander, Wyoming, Rotary Interact Club.

Berta Delgado Quintero (Sponsored)

Berta, 15, is in her third year at the Catholic School in Sisoguichi, abused by her father then later abandoned by her mother she and her younger sister, Paula, live with an aunt when not in school. She initially did poorly in school but has recently pulled her average up to 78%. Perhaps more important to her recovery, she has shared her experiences with other girls during meetings held by the church. She and her sister spent Christmas with the Rota-Scholars project manager and although shivering, had to be encouraged to take a donated jacket. She is sponsored by Dr. Miguel of the Paso del Norte (Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua) Rotary Club.