In last month’s profile of Liga MAC’s successful fundraising event, Tacos Tostadas & Tequila, mention was made of a presentation given in English by Liga MAC student, Valeria Zamora Roldán. The grade 12 student who will graduate in July from CECYT 04 High school, is also the younger sister of another Liga MAC alumnus. After graduating from Liga MAC’s student support program, Valeria’s brother Angel, received a Building Baja’s Future university scholarship and is currently studying Food & Beverage Management at ITES University in San Jose del Cabo. The hardworking and bright siblings are the children of Jesus Zamora, a construction transportation bus driver, and Rosa Roldán, a cleaner working full time for a property management company. The family’s current circumstances bely an impoverished and difficult past.
The family is from a village in the state of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico. Neither parent was educated past middle school and in their home state they were only able to find temporary manual labour. In an effort to find more consistent and better paying employment and on the advice of friends, Jesus traveled in 2010 to Los Cabos. For the next three years Jesus worked in Los Cabos sending home his earnings, while Rosa maintained their home in Veracruz and looked after their pre-school children. Finally in 2013, Jesus had saved enough to send for his family but their reunion was short-lived. In 2014 Hurricane Odile wrecked its havoc on Los Cabos and with government assistance, sent Rosa and the children back to Veracruz.
Despite their rough introduction to Los Cabos, the Zamora family chose to stay and put down roots in Los Cabos and for good reason. Besides the availability of steady better paying work, the community network of non-profit organizations has allowed those in need to receive assistance with medical issues, daycare, counselling, disaster relief and in the case of the Zamora family, educational support. In their home state of Veracruz, NGO’s were virtually non-existent and assistance with the cost of school supplies and school uniforms unheard of. Both Rosa and Jesus realize the value of education and instill that value in their children. Because of their parents’ encouragement both Angel and Valeria have excelled in their studies. During the pandemic lockdown after taking an introductory course, Valeria taught herself English. She continues to perfect her English usage while maintaining good grades in all her subjects. Moving away from their family and friends in Veracruz was difficult but in Rosa’s words, Liga MAC has become their new family. Jesus adds that he is grateful for all the help that Liga MAC has provided for his family so that his kids will have a better life.
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