In the shadow of Volcán de Fuego sits the town of San Pedro Yepocapa. This town is home to Mariana, her parents, Axel and María, and her five siblings. Mariana always had a passion for learning, but the nearest school was miles away. Eventually, the distance made it impossible for her to keep going. Mariana helped her family by selling desserts on the street, but she still dreamed of something more.  

 In 2022, María heard about a scholarship program at Luminarias. She encouraged her daughter to apply, and Mariana was accepted! Mariana felt very shy when she arrived at Luminarias, but with support from staff and encouragement from the other girls, she opened up. “Since I joined Luminarias, I have seen a change in the way I speak, the way I express myself, the way I look at things. I feel that it is like a big family to me, one that has supported and helped me in everything,” Mariana says.  

Before Luminarias, Mariana had never used a computer. She worked hard to learn, and now computer classes are among her favorite subjects. She also enjoys physical education and is learning to play the bass guitar. Today, Mariana is a bright, exuberant girl with a promising future. She dreams of attending university to study agronomy. 

 From a shy girl selling desserts on the street to a confident high school student, Mariana is a powerful example of what becomes possible when a girl is given the opportunities she deserves. With four sisters still at home, her story has become a beacon of hope for their futures.