“Zamorano is the door to a better future for those who look for personal and professional excellence and have no way to afford an education as the one offered by Zamorano”. Luis Alberto Hernández Cantillana Peruvian, Zamorano 2009
Luis Alberto Hernández Cantillana worked for 13 years at the student shoe repair workshop at Zamorano. He spent his days aiding his father with the work he did at the shop; he was in charge of buying materials, and he would study at night. A year and a half ago his life gave a 180 degree turn.
Luis changed needles, threads, hammer, and working clothes, for notebooks, books, and a portable computer. Today, he proudly wears the blue Zamorano student uniform. “My life changed completely”, assures this young Honduran from Tegucigalpa. Luis left the shoe repair work behind, and with a strong voice, and determination in his eyes, he affirms he will graduate from Zamorano together with his fellows from the 2012 Class, as an Agronomical Engineer.
In 1989, his father, Pedro Alonzo Hernández, entered Zamorano to get in charge of the students shoe repair workshop. In 1995, Luis Alberto started to commute from Tegucigalpa to the campus everyday, in order to help his father. “My father used to work as a shoe repairer here at Zamorano, and he taught me this craft very well, which I am very proud of”, says Luis, who assures that at that time he would had never imagine he would become part of the student body at Zamorano. “I would see the students pass by in their blue uniform every day, and they inspired me to keep on studying and get to the university, but I never thought I would be here at Zamorano”.
Luis Alberto’s father died two years ago, and he stayed in charge of the shoe repair shop. It was with a lot of sacrifice and courage, studying at night, that he finished his high school in Sciences and Letters at the Rafael Pineda Ponce Institute, located at the Villa Nueva section. In 2008 his life pathway changed completely. “One day, Dr. María Mercedes Roca, [teacher at the Agricultural Science and Production Department] came to the workshop and asked me whether I was studying. I told her I was about to finish high school, and she asked me whether I wanted to study here. I immediately answered I did. I had been working for so many years at Zamorano and I would be very proud to be part of the students group. Dr. Roca, together with other people from Zamorano, helped me go thorough my application process”.
As many other students willing to enter Zamorano, Luis took his admission exams. Though he was very nervous, he was convinced it was an opportunity he could not waste, since he knew many others were in a similar situation to his, and they were making their best effort to become Zamoranos. Luis assures that wishing to become a university professional is the engine that drives him to keep on going; and while he was waiting to receive an answer on whether or not he had approved, he recognizes he hesitated for a moment on whether he could endure the challenge of being a Zamorano student; however, he says he had not set aside his aspirations. “If I was not accepted at Zamorano I already had plans to continue working at the shoe workshop and study Business Administration at night, at the public university; but when I received the good news that I had been accepted, and that in addition I was being offered a scholarship, I immediately called my mother to tell her”.
Zamorano offers a range of opportunities to young students interested in agriculture and livestock, agroindustry, agribusiness, and environmental sciences. But even most important, Zamorano “is the door to a better future for those who look for personal and professional excellence and have no way to afford an education as the one offered by Zamorano”, says Luis Alberto.
Currently, out of the 252 Honduran studying at Zamorano, Luis is one of the 48 that have the benefit of financial support.
“Seventy five percent of all students at Zamorano receive some type of financial support”, states Hugo Zavala, Head of the Registration Office. “But many, as Luis, would not be here if it wasn’t for the donations we receive from foundations, philanthropic individuals, private companies and governments that believe in Zamorano education”.
Today, Luis studies his second year at Zamorano and he soon expects to accomplish his dream of graduating from the major on Agricultural Science and Production (CPA) to “contribute to the development of my country” and to help his mother, Reina Isabel Cantillano, 60 years old, and his four brothers and sisters.
One of a Kind Experience
A few weeks ago, Luis started his second quarter of classes of his second year. “Learning at the field is a unique experience that is characteristic of Zamorano. The combination of theory and practice are the best teaching exercise that instructors and teachers carry out”, says Luis. “There is no doubt that Learning by Doing is one of the keys to educate us as future leaders”.
“The time I have spent here as a student has changed my life, my personality and my way to see things. I never expected to receive this opportunity”, states Luis. “At the beginning I used to feel strange sitting in the classroom, but I’m thankful: first I thank God, and second, I thank Zamorano, for this valuable opportunity. I love everything related to production, and I love knowing that I will someday be able to manage a business”.
His classmate, Elvis Ferreira (Panamanian), says: “Luis is an example of self-improvement to think highly of. He is very dedicated to his studies and he keeps the spirit of learning more and more each day”.
This young Honduran confesses: “I have no way to repay Zamorano for this opportunity. I can just say Thank You. And, when the moment comes, in 2012, I hope they will feel proud to see me graduating, and seeing that whatever they have invested on me – and on other youngsters like me –is worthwhile”.
