University Student and Community Leader Mirna

Mirna, at her graduation party!

On August 26, 2011 Mirna Ramos was accompanied by her family, dozens of classmates and the SHARE team as she graduated at the top of her class from the National University’s San Vicente campus with the equivalent of a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Mirna is the first member of her family to study at the university level, a huge achievement for herself, her family, and her entire community. She is a natural leader, dynamic, friendly, and open and has a gift of making everyone feel at ease and a part of any group or activity.

Mirna was able to study at the university level thanks to a SHARE scholarship program through CRIPDES San Vicente. These scholarships are aimed at creating community leaders with the professional skills to work for sustainable, long-term development in their communities.

Mirna and her family

Mirna will begin her first job soon, coordinating an NGO’s departmental-wide literacy program, a part of the Ministry of Education’s program to eradicate illiteracy in El Salvador. Mirna is not new to literacy work; in her community, Las Pampas, she facilitated these literacy circles for three years. Nine people with no previous formal schooling reached the ninth grade level thanks to her patient attention.

In her community, Las Pampas, Mirna has been a part of youth organizing for years. Through her work she has empowered youth as they create a communal youth garden and supported the community in planning fumigation campaigns to prevent mosquito-born diseases. Mirna also worked with women in Las Pampas to understand and defend their basic rights, as well as design and carry out small, sustainable economic initiatives to support their families.

Mirna is not new to literacy work; in her community, Las Pampas, she facilitated these literacy circles for three years. Nine people with no previous formal schooling reached the ninth grade level thanks to her patient attention.After the all-morning graduation ceremony, at which the Rector of the National University reminded students that their degree should not serve to make them rich, but should be placed at the service of their communities, without whom their studies would not have been possible, we returned to Las Pampas for the celebration. The entire community, along with local social movement leaders, turned out for her graduation celebration, a testament to her dedication to her community.

Congratulations, Mirna, the Ramos family, the community Las Pampas and CRIPDES San Vicente on this amazing achievement!

University Student and Community Leader Mirna

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