We introduce again the series of reports “History of Life;” stories of indigenous community leaders, whose path through the Costa Rican Lutheran Church, kindly provides us with testimony of their fight to achieve their goals, respect for fundamental rights, and talk about their legal proceedings in recognition of their organizations.
Nombre de autor: Comunicación y Relaciones
On this occasion, Asis Morales, from the Community of Sepecue of Talamanca, visited us and told us that this was a great achievement in his life; the opportunity to participate in collegiate studies at the University of Costa Rica. Since childhood he always had the dream of studying and working hard and with that mentality he graduated from Sepecue Academic High School, founded in March 2003 and taught by indigenous teachers.
In 2011, 7 of his 8 classmates who gradauted will be studying at the State Open University (UNED) and Asis as the first indigenous student from Sepecue to attend the University of Costa Rica.
Asis tells us:
"The entrance exam was very difficult because I never got a tutorial, nor an explanation of the booklet, but thank God I passed. Higher education is not as accessible to indigenous populations because of the lack of resources, but now with the construction of the school it has encouraged the desire and motivation to excel. My dream is to learn English first and then think about choosing another career. For now I need guidance and strive to get ahead and look to the future when I will be able to apply my knowledge to the well-being of my people "
The efforts of Asis and many other leaders in indigenous communities is essential in the process of autonomy and defending their rights as the training of professionals will come to deal with strong interests in the region, especially because of its profitable mineral reserves and forestry which has caused others to be greedy, take actions seeking to destabilize the Talamanca society, and take advantage of these riches.
Our congratulations to the young Asis, who with his example opens the doors to higher education and leaves a possible path for many other Indigenous students seeking educational success for the sake of their families and villages.
Translation: Nicolette Filson