With a goal of selling 350 “Yuda Bands”, the NIC Latino Club hosted plaza tables in the SUB from Feb 24-March 6.
For every 175 Yuda Bands sold, a youth is sponsored for a year’s worth of education.
“While our original goal was to sell 350 bands, we ended up selling 233. That means we raised $1,631 for the organization. I’d call that a success,” said Scott Estes, the Latino Club adviser.
One of the two students chosen for sponsorship is named Ana Odilia Armira, a 19-year-old in Xeuyju, Guatemala, who wants to become a chef.
“It’s hard for me to study because my parents are so poor and the money they make isn’t enough for us all. My mother is sick and she needs medicines all the time so I need support to continue my school,” Ana Odilia Armira said.
The second student is named Alexander Elias Armira (not related to Ana Armira), a 9th grader living in San Martin Jilotepeque, Guatemala.
“My parents work hard to pay for school, but the money they make isn’t enough for us all since my brothers and sisters are studying too. My pastime is to help my parents,” Alexandar Elias Armira said.
Alexander Elias Armira favorite class is English, and he would like to study electronics.
Estes says of the process for choosing whom to sponsor, “I lead a group of students to Guatemala each year for a study abroad experience, so I have a personal connection to the Guatemalan people. This year, two of our members are going on the trip, so we decided it appropriate to choose the two from Guatemala.“
Estes also stated that the Latino club is concerned about projects that give back to the local and global community, which is why they were enthusiastic to bring the cause to the NIC campus.
Club President, Corinne Ready, was satisfied with the project.
“Many people commented on what a great thing we were doing and thanked us. I totally think the event was a complete success even if we only sent one child to school, and we just want to thank everyone at NIC for rallying and supporting the cause!”
