Jose Martín Reyes dropped out of school at the age of twelve to support his family. He worked as a field hand and later as a bricklayer near his small hometown of Yamaranguila, in the western region of Honduras not far from the Salvadoran border. His family of eight brothers and sisters raised by a single mom are part of the Lenca community, an indigenous people of the region. As Jose observes, “everyone in the area is poor. There are natural resources and a lot of labor, but no one has yet come along to put them together and create a productive future for the people.”
Jose always hoped to be this person. He studied nights and weekends listening to adult education classes broadcast over the radio – mathematics, chemistry, literature, elementary physics and biology. Slowly he saved the money to buy the books to study along with the lessons. Still he didn’t see how he could ever succeed, when it didn’t look like anyone around him had done so. Then he started working at a different farm and met the owner, David Aguilar, Zamorano Class of 1994. “David encouraged me, and told me that anything was possible if I worked hard at my studies. He told me Zamorano made it possible for him to run his own farm and be a success. Often he would tell me that someday I might be able to go to Zamorano, too.”
On Saturdays, Jose traveled 8 km by bus to La Esperanza to take his exams. He also started to attend free adult-education classes given by Susan Stone, a retired American school teacher who coordinates the radio extension school and who also encouraged Jose to apply to college. Ultimately, Jose sent applications to two schools: one was the University of Forestry Science (ESNACIFOR) in Siguatepeque, Honduras, and the other was Zamorano.
In November, 2006 Jose came to visit the Zamorano main campus. He took a tour of the facilities and met with professors and students. While he knew he wanted to attend university, he worried about the cost of tuition. That same afternoon the admissions department told Jose about the Marfa Foundation, founded in Barcelona, Spain, which seeks out “exceedingly talented” young people from poor, rural communities to fund scholarships for advanced studies. Jose was an ideal candidate. Within a week after his return home, he received a letter from Zamorano offering him a place in the new freshman class with a full scholarship from the Marfa Foundation. While Jose was also accepted at the forestry school for him it was no contest. “I knew immediately when I visited Zamorano that this is where I wanted to be.”
Life at Zamorano provided a few surprises. As Jose had never attended traditional classes, it took a while to get accustomed to “the long hours in classrooms.“ His favorite subject so far has been economics because “it gives you the tools to plan ahead,” and he most liked his economics professor, Dr. Oscar Zelaya of the Agribusiness Management program, because “he ensures that every student in the class understands the lessons. He’s very generous with his time after class if anyone needs to see him.” Although when pressed Jose admits he found the subject so fascinating and important that he didn’t need any extra help.
Jose plans to pursue a degree in the Socioeconomic Development and Environment (DSEA) program, and intends to carry out his “pasantía” (professional internship semester) abroad. His first choice would be to go to Spain and work for a company that captures methane gas generated from the decomposition of livestock manure. For Jose it is of paramount importance that after he graduates, he return to his hometown, Yamaranguila. He wants to use the knowledge and tools he has gained to help the people there. “There are many people that need basic services such as electricity and safe water to drink, and there are many people who can work and will work hard but there are very few opportunities. At the same time there are a lot of beautiful places that would be good for tourism, and also natural resources. If someone steps forward to lead people and teach them how to use the forest and land and also protect it, people’s lives will get better. I think I can do that.”
Meanwhile, back in his hometown, his younger brother Carlos, now 18, is also working as a bricklayer. But Carlos spends his nights studying by radio using Jose’s books. Carlos has every intention of someday following in his older brother’s footsteps. Jose is very proud of him, and believes Carlos has a good chance at success. “It requires persistence and determination—you have to want very much to be a student here. But Zamorano opens doors—“ Jose smiles and taps his temple lightly– “in here, as well as out in the world.”
