Laura's bright future

International Women's Day, recognized on Sunday, March 8, is a day to celebrate the achievements of women around the world. This year's theme, 'an equal world is an enabled world', encourages us to pursue equality and recognition for women in school, work, sports, and any sector. At our sites, we work diligently to ensure that both boys and girls are given the same opportunities to succeed in school and pursue their passions.

Laura, 22, lives near our Santiago site in Chile with her sister and parents. Laura is currently in her fourth year of an architecture degree at Andrés Bello University, and is so thankful for the support from her sponsor. "A few years ago it was difficult to imagine I would be able to pursue this degree, due to the poor economic situation of my family," she explains. "My parents didn't have the opportunity to study higher education and had to start working from a very young age, to help their parents and siblings. That's why they always taught me that studying was the best decision I could make, that education was the best tool to fight poverty."

The first years in university were difficult for Laura. She struggled financially, and found it difficult to adapt to a new schedule and a different pace than her routine in high school. "I live with my family in a rented room. The space is small so they were also part of this adaptation process," she says. "In spite of the few resources we have, my family is my great pillar; the containment and support that I have had in all this process, in all my life."

As she gets closer to finishing her studies, Laura reflects on the support she has been given. "Thanks to my Chalice sponsor, our pantry can be stocked on a quarterly basis, we can buy clothes, and above all I can fulfill my obligations as a student," she said.

The future looks bright for this accomplished and mature young woman. She is grateful for what she has received and is looking forward to giving back in the future. "The Chalice staff are always interested in what is happening in each family and I am grateful for that. They do a great job helping many children," Laura explains. "I hope one day to be able to give back and help other people who are in a vulnerable condition to help their dreams come true."