Reynaldo Zarate Zeas

As if nineteen-year-old Reynaldo Jose Zarate Zeas’s graduation from high school last spring wasn’t a big enough deal in his family, he’s outdoing himself by attending two colleges now, as well.

My husband, Pat and I met Reynaldo via our caretaker, Victor, and his wife, Adela, and their five-year-old daughter, Tatiana. Reynaldo is Adela’s brother. Occasionally Reynaldo works at El Nido, the bed and breakfast we operate in San Juan del Sur (www.elnidobedandbreakfast.com). He is a happy, hard-working, and friendly young man who strives to do well in all he undertakes. Guests at El Nido are often treated to Reynaldo’s passionate singing of Spanish songs.

Reynaldo has been involved with the The Fundación A. Jean Brugger , a non-profit organization that assists students to meet their educational goals (http://www.piedrasyolas.com/brugger_eng.htm). Through the organization, Reynaldo has a sponsor, Melanie. Melanie has helped support Reynaldo’s educational goals for six years and is currently funding his education at UPOLI (http://www.upoli.edu.ni/sedes/rivas.html), a college in nearby Rivas. Reynaldo has completed a half year of study of computer engineering and is enjoying it tremendously.

But Reynaldo wanted to learn more. Specifically, he wanted to learn English. He realizes that with the increasing number of people coming to Nicaragua to live or visit, that learning to speak the language will help him in any career he chooses. Pat and I know firsthand what a motivated learner he is, so we sponsored him to attend Ave Maria College of the Americas English program, which he attends on Saturdays.  The class is taught entirely in English and Reynaldo was speaking the language immediately. He is currently in his third level and is earning an A-. But he’s striving for an A+.

How will the educational opportunities afforded to Reynaldo impact his life?

“I will have good work and I will have a happy life,” he says thoughtfully.

“Without school and sponsors, I think my life would be bad because my mother doesn’t have money to pay the universities…I study every day to become bilingual.”

Nicaragua Living is proud to continue sponsoring Reynaldo as he pursues his studies.

-Cheryl L. Serra
                                                                                                            Nicaragua Living publisher and editor