A Determined Scholarship Student

Those who know Keyner now would never guess how many times he wanted to give up. He’s one of our scholars, and he is a committed student, a disciplined athlete, and an exemplary older brother.

Giving up was just never an option. As a child, his family experienced an eviction, spent time in a shelter, and then relocated next to a garbage dump in Villa Guadalupe.

His mother worked long hours to support her children, leaving them in the care of their grandmother and aunt. Keyner says his mom’s example of constant work left him determined to work hard.

A Scholarship That Changed the Equation

When he received a scholarship in 2020, Keyner said he felt his hard work was paying off. He was determined to work even harder in school, even when it was tough.

“Sometimes I would say: ‘I don’t want to go on anymore,’” he said. “But then I think: ‘So much effort to leave it halfway through. If I’ve already started it, I have to finish it.’”

While Keyner focused on academics, we had additional ideas for ways he could grow. One of our program coordinators, Chira, reached out to Keyner to take part in tutoring sessions and help younger scholars with their homework. Through the tutoring and his participation in recreational activities with Samaritan scholars, we saw a shy young man connect with others and gain confidence.

From Curiosity to Costa Rica

We also watched as Keyner discovered lacrosse. What began as a curiosity became a discipline that transformed his character. 

“When I trained, I saw that other players were better than me, and that motivated me to want to learn more,” he explained.

Academically, Keyner’s desire to excel led him to study Systems Engineering. He was curious about how programs were developed, and that led to a clear goal: to build a professional future that would allow him to continue growing and support his family.

At a university, he has faced academic challenges, especially in subjects that require independent learning. Far from giving up, he searches for videos, researches, and studies on his own until he understands what previously seemed impossible to learn.

“Never say ‘I can’t,’” he said. “Because in this life, everyone can. With effort and dedication, anything is possible.”

When Opportunity Meets Perseverance

Our scholars are starting to believe that. We know, from story after story, that when opportunity meets perseverance, dreams cease to seem impossible and begin to come true.

Laura Cuevas, Program Coordinator

Laura is a Systems Engineering student and has been working as a coordinator at International Samaritan since 2022. Her connection with the organization began in 2019 when she received a scholarship, which has strengthened her commitment to education as a tool to transform lives and break family cycles. Passionate about working with children and young people, Laura enjoys spending time with them, passing on her knowledge and contributing to their growth.

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