Boystown Guatemala, Class of 2010
Before the Sisters of Mary and Fr. Aloysius Schwartz
I was born and raised in a small village in Coatepeque, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. From a young age, I saw my parents work hard every day to support our family, often struggling to make ends meet. I helped my father in the fields, growing corn and rice, waking up at 4 a.m. and walking long distances. Even then, I dreamed of a better future and hoped that one day I could help my family escape poverty. We had no electricity, and our house was made of wood. Sometimes, I even had to miss school activities because we couldn’t afford the expenses.
Despite these challenges, I have always loved learning and exploring new ideas. I enjoyed going to school, discovering different subjects, and imagining a future full of possibilities. I completed primary school at the age of 11 with excellent grades. However, I then spent a year caring for my younger sisters, as continuing my middle school studies was not an option due to our financial situation.
Even then, I held onto my dream of continuing my studies and shared it with my parents, who began searching for opportunities on my behalf. Around 2006, we learned about the Sisters of Mary, and I took the admission exam. For the first time, I felt a spark of hope ignite in my heart. My family always had deep devotion to God, and our faith gave us the strength to believe that opportunities could arise even in the most difficult circumstances.
My Experience with the Sisters of Mary (SOM)
I joined SOM in 2007, where I was welcomed with open arms and warm hearts. I remember my first day vividly. I was one of the last students to arrive and felt both nervous and excited. Climbing the stairs for the first time was a remarkable experience; I had never done anything like it before, and I even stumbled along the way. My lunch awaited me, and more importantly, a new chapter in my life was beginning – one that would change everything.
I missed my family, feeling small in such a vast place. Yet, slowly, the unfamiliar became familiar, and fear gave way to hope. My classmates became like brothers, and the Sisters became mothers, mentors and guides.
Under the mentorship of the Sisters of Mary and thanks to this wonderful institution founded by Fr. Aloysius Schwartz, I learned far more than academics. I grew intellectually, physically, and spiritually. The SOM gave me an incredible gift: the opportunity to learn English, a language that would later open doors I had never imagined.
Through discipline, respect, teamwork, and faith, I gained the confidence and skills to dream beyond my circumstances. Their tireless dedication created a nurturing environment where boys and girls could flourish, believe in themselves, and lay the foundations for a future full of possibilities. I also pursued Taekwondo at school and, in 2009, became the national champion under 48 kg – an achievement that reflected the values and determination instilled in me by the SOM.
I graduated in 2010 as Valedictorian, the student with the highest academic honors in my graduating class, and was personally recognized by Mayor Álvaro Arzú, who told me, “You can achieve anything, as long as you believe in yourself.”
Education, Family, and Giving Back
After graduating from SOM, I faced the challenge of transitioning to life outside that wonderful environment. I had to navigate the job market, avoid dangerous areas (red zones) in the city, and learn to live in a demanding and often harsh society.
Learning English proved to be a real advantage, helping me secure a job at a call center. It also allowed me to begin my university studies in 2011 in Accounting and Auditing. I was able to pay for my education while sending a fixed monthly amount to support my parents and siblings. Together, we built our first concrete house and gained access to electricity, cable, and a television – comforts that once seemed impossible.
The SOM didn’t just change my life; it transformed the life of my entire family.
In 2014, motivated by gratitude and a desire to give back, I became one of the founders of ASEVIGUA, the alumni association of the Sisters of Mary in Guatemala, with the mission of uniting the alumni and supporting the SOM. I began by managing audio at events, then purchasing. Later, I served as treasurer and gradually assumed greater responsibilities, including President and Legal Representative (2017–2019) and Controller in 2020. Through ASEVIGUA, I was able to continue giving back to the institution that had given me so much.
In 2015, I got married and soon became a father. Balancing my roles as husband, father, student, and ASEVIGUA volunteer was challenging, but the SOM had prepared me well. I continued supporting my family while remaining committed to giving back to my alma mater.
Professional Life and Service
Today, at 32 years of age, I am an Internal Auditor with over eight years of experience and work in a multinational Canadian company. My job has allowed me to meet remarkable people, including VPs, CFOs, and Directors from organizations across Canada, the U.S., and Europe, and to communicate with them effectively and assertively. I also travel to Canada every year for audit planning, gaining valuable professional and cultural experience.
I continue to support ASEVIGUA as an associate, contributing monthly to sustain the mission and impact of the SOM.
I continue helping my parents, supporting my wife as she completes her university degree, and raising our two children with the same values of faith, discipline, and gratitude that SOM instilled in me.
For three years (2022-2025), I served in my local church, leading a group of readers who proclaimed the Word of God during Sunday Holy Mass.
Now, I am focusing on earning my CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) designation, continuing to grow professionally while remaining deeply committed to my family, community, and the Sisters of Mary, “Villa de los Niños”.
Alumni Network and Legacy
The Sisters of Mary and Fr. Al gave me something priceless: a family beyond blood. I have visited the campuses in Chalco and Guadalajara in Mexico, meeting alumni who have become more than friends – they are brothers. I have also connected with alumni from Honduras, forming a network of hope, support, and shared purpose. Through all of this, I feel the lasting impact of Fr. Aloysius Schwartz and the Sisters of Mary, whose vision, love, and dedication continue to transform lives and empower generations.
A Call to Support SOM
The Sisters of Mary, “Villa de los Niños”, Guatemala, gave me more than an education. It gave me a future, a mission, and a family that extends beyond borders. The SOM changed my life. Today, you can help change the life of another boy or girl. Your support — through donations, volunteering, or sharing the mission — can create similar opportunities for children who dream of a brighter future. Every contribution helps transform lives and build hope.