A poet once compared the heaviness of being an undocumented student to carrying a heavy backpack up a mountain. Others walk by, maybe even run past him, while he painfully, steadily, and with great effort tries to walk up one heavy step at a time.

    Carolina and Nidya, an undergraduate and graduate student in San Diego, can relate to this feeling. Carolina is about to graduate this year with her bachelors degree in sociology and criminal justice with a minor in Spanish. She is currently applying for a doctoral program in sociology with the desire to one day becoming a professor and researcher. Nidya is studying for her masters degree in marriage and family therapy with the hopes of opening her own practice and non-profit. She would also like to be an author and a professor.

    The two women go to college and at the same time work as community organizers a-round the issues of education, social justice and human rights. They want to become professionals, to create an environment where there is respect and dignity for everyone. 

    While other students take out loans and financial aid, Carolina and Nidya pay for everything from their own pockets, supplementing their income through part time jobs. So the two women recently held a collective fundraiser in Escondido. It featured local artists and numerous delicious desserts to choose from. The artists spoke from their heart about the inspiration behind their art, even donating some of their pieces for a silent auction whose proceeds would go to the fundraiser.

    The community coming together to support the education of students and community organizers was motivational.  To uplift our community we must create an encouraging atmosphere for our youth so they don’t feel discouraged to pursue a positive future.

    The efforts of students such as Ramirez and Valdivia are impressive when one considers that less than 20 per cent of Latinos and African students in the U.S. receive college degrees, while more than 50 per cent of their counterparts in European and Asian nations complete their post secondary education.

    Supporting Nidya and Carolina’s goals is an investment in the future of our entire community that will benefit from their knowledge, skills, and passion. If anyone is interested in making a donation to these two young women please contact Nidya directly at her e-mail to learn about their joint Paypal account: nyramirez@rocketmail.com