Diego is a 21-year-old young adult from Meanguera, Morazán. He began his education at Amún Shéa when he was 5 years old in 2009, attending primary school until second grade. For various reasons, he studied at a public school for a few years and then returned to Amún Shéa in fifth grade until ninth grade. Diego wanted to leave his comfort zone and experience different educational environments. He was eager to expand his knowledge and challenge himself by exploring new institutions and opportunities.
One thing that set Diego apart from others was his natural ability to communicate. He has always been someone who connects easily with adults and children. Amún Shéa saw these skills and nurtured them. “One of the ways that the school impacted me the most was that we were not confined to our walls; classes outside were even more important than those inside a classroom. I learned a lot about Salvadoran culture and other cultures from other countries because I met people who came to visit Amún Shéa and encouraged me to learn more about their cultures.”- says Diego. He was encouraged to dive deep into topics that intrigued him, and that level of support from teachers made a huge impact on his development.
After graduating from high school, Diego decided to push himself even further. He applied for a scholarship to study in China and that bold step paid off when he was accepted. Now, in his second year of majoring in Chinese language and literature, Diego lives in China and balances his studies at the Ocean University of China with his job at an international business company. His ability to speak English, Spanish, and Chinese has proven invaluable in helping him with translation work, allowing him to connect with people and expand his professional experience.
Living in China has opened up even more opportunities for Diego. He is proud to be able to support his mother back in El Salvador while continuing his studies and gaining valuable experience in his field. Diego views his dreams as ongoing goals; goals that he is continually working towards. His immediate focus is to finish his degree and keep helping his family.
Looking back, Diego is incredibly thankful for Amún Shéa School. He’s grateful for the way Amún Shéa supported him in developing academically and personally. “I’d like to thank Amún Shéa for supporting me and enhancing my skills. I’m glad to have been one of the first generations to graduate and to see how the school has evolved over time, how it has implemented education never seen before in the country, and how it opens up new experiences for students, including me.” says Diego.
Author: Milagro Fuentes
Wow, what an awesome testimony on how Amún Shéa and it’s dedicated staff have impacted the future of Diego…a future that would likely have so very different a generation ago. Thank you for making a difference!