Catarina Mercedes Guarchaj Guarchaj
Catarina Mercedes Guarchaj was born on September 24, 1987 and is the third of 5 siblings. She comes from Caserío Pasac, in the village of Xejuyup, Nauhalá, Sololá. Thanks to the Roots and Wings University Scholarship program, she enrolled at Rafael Landivar University, in Quetzaltenango, in an Associate’s Degree in Social Work in 2008 and graduated in 2010.
Her goal is to become a sharp professional so that she can help others, including those organizations in her community needing her support.
She currently helps institutions such as Defensoría de la Mujer Indígena (DEMI, an organization that protects the rights of indigenous women in Guatemala), the UN and Secretaría Presidencial de la Mujer (SEPREM, a governmental organization against the discrimination of women and the reinforcement of their rights in the Guatemalan society), where she helps women obtain their Personal Identification Number for free. In 2011, Mercedes has been unable to carry on with her studies due to health and economic reasons. Nonetheless, she dreams of continuing studying to receive a BA in Social Work. (Meet more scholars...)
Q&A with Catarina Mercedes Guarchaj Guarchaj
– November 2010
Question: How long do you have before you graduate and what are you graduating in?
Catarina: I have two years before graduating, and I'm working towards a Licenciatura in Social Work which is a 5-year BA. This is my sixth semester and at the end of it I will receive a professional certification given at the end of the first 3-year period.
Question: What will you do once you graduate?
Catarina: When I graduate, I want to find a job, but what I would like most would be to work at Defensoría de la Mujer Indígena, a national organization protecting the rights of indigenous women. I want to help all the women suffering from domestic violence and discrimination, for we know women are much discriminated upon by their own sex. These days, the participation of women in the full range of community organizations is key. That's what I would like to work at.
Question: How has Roots and Wings helped you reach your goals?
Catarina: Roots and Wings has supported me financially, covering all the expenses resulting from my studies, because my parents cannot afford it. When I was in middle school I outlined my goal to study in college and thanks to Roots and Wings my dreams are coming true.
Question: Can you comment on your experiences with Roots and Wings?
Catarina: I have had many good experiences with Roots and Wings, and I mean it. Every month we have relevant workshops related to our professional training. After the workshop all the participants share their experiences at university - how we are doing, if there are ongoing issues at our colleges, all the important things going on. We built a network in which we keep one another informed. I love this organization; they have helped me learn so much.
Thanks to Roots and Wings for taking me into account!
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