Stories of Success
Below you will find accounts written by our graduates in response to a questionnaire sent out in 2020.
Please see our Graduate Business Directory and patronize our graduates' businesses!
Please see our Graduate Business Directory and patronize our graduates' businesses!
Luis Yescas
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What did you study, year of graduation, and in which university? In 2013 I started studying Environmental Engineering at the Central American University. Although the classes were demanding, I felt that I could give more and in 2014 I also enrolled in the Law School at UNAN Managua. I received my university degrees in both Environmental Engineering and Law in the same year, 2018. |
What is your current job?
I developed my professional practices in the Molecular Biology Center of UNAN Managua, RURMA campus, where I carried out my monographic research entitled “Phytoremediating Potential associated with a bacterial isolate Phragmites Australis for the treatment of hexavalent chromium in aqueous medium." After the culmination of my studies, I continued working in said laboratory for approximately one more year, mainly in the biochemistry and proximal areas, with rotations in plant tissue culture, microbiology and plant DNA. Additionally, I worked at the Center for Understanding with Nature (CEN) as the technical representative for residents affected by industrial activities and in environmental restoration activities. Subsequently, I got a job with better remuneration in the National Water Authority (ANA). My initial position was Specialist in Water Resources, later I was promoted to Responsible for Control and Monitoring of Concessionary Rights and later I was appointed Director of the National Public Registry of Rights of Water (RPNDA). I am also a member of the Technical Committee for Standardization of the Ministry of Development, Industry and Commerce (MIFIC) in water matters as representative of ANA.
What are your dreams?
May my family live comfortably. I don't want to be a millionaire, I don't find success in money, but in doing what I like. I want my nephew to be happy and lack nothing, but also to be aware of the value of things and the meaning of his efforts. I am still young and I have not achieved everything, but I hope that my parents are presented with enough life to be able to enjoy the comforts that one day I hope to provide them, since they have not done anything in life but work tirelessly for my sister and for me, so that we can have a better life than the one they had, a life that I also hope to share with them. In the professional field, I want to become a doctor in biotechnology with a focus on environmental quality or ecology, and dedicate myself to improving the environmental conditions of sites affected by human action. I do not see myself for the rest of my life working in administrative procedures or for-profit consulting, I can do more than that.
What impact did having a scholarship from FAJB have on your life?
My family did not have the possibility of sending me to study at one of the best universities in Central America. The Fundación A. Jean Brugger scholarship provided me with the ability to achieve my academic goals and, above all, it taught me to value education and to give back the knowledge I have acquired to my community. That community badly needs professionals with technical skills, but above all, needs professionals with common sense, values, ethics, and morals to achieve sustainable development.
What is the most important thing you learned during your time with FAJB?
To value opportunities, this implies many things; love what you do and find the meaning of your efforts and anxious moments; at the end of the story they are part of your experience and form who you are.
How important is having a university title to achieving your goals?
The university degree is very important, however, people should see beyond the paper it’s printed on, see all the effort that went into it. I could well obtain a degree and say that I went through the university, but the university may not have gone through me; in other words, the experience and dedication that we put into each job or assignment is worth more, it is worth being foolish and even annoying because that reflects passion. I know that Fundación A. Jean Brugger has been wise in choosing its scholarship students, because I am sure that none of them have gone after just a degree, but after knowledge and in search of their dreams.
Are you married, do you have children?
I am not married or have any biological children, but I am raising my nephew as my own child, including food and recreational expenses
I developed my professional practices in the Molecular Biology Center of UNAN Managua, RURMA campus, where I carried out my monographic research entitled “Phytoremediating Potential associated with a bacterial isolate Phragmites Australis for the treatment of hexavalent chromium in aqueous medium." After the culmination of my studies, I continued working in said laboratory for approximately one more year, mainly in the biochemistry and proximal areas, with rotations in plant tissue culture, microbiology and plant DNA. Additionally, I worked at the Center for Understanding with Nature (CEN) as the technical representative for residents affected by industrial activities and in environmental restoration activities. Subsequently, I got a job with better remuneration in the National Water Authority (ANA). My initial position was Specialist in Water Resources, later I was promoted to Responsible for Control and Monitoring of Concessionary Rights and later I was appointed Director of the National Public Registry of Rights of Water (RPNDA). I am also a member of the Technical Committee for Standardization of the Ministry of Development, Industry and Commerce (MIFIC) in water matters as representative of ANA.
What are your dreams?
May my family live comfortably. I don't want to be a millionaire, I don't find success in money, but in doing what I like. I want my nephew to be happy and lack nothing, but also to be aware of the value of things and the meaning of his efforts. I am still young and I have not achieved everything, but I hope that my parents are presented with enough life to be able to enjoy the comforts that one day I hope to provide them, since they have not done anything in life but work tirelessly for my sister and for me, so that we can have a better life than the one they had, a life that I also hope to share with them. In the professional field, I want to become a doctor in biotechnology with a focus on environmental quality or ecology, and dedicate myself to improving the environmental conditions of sites affected by human action. I do not see myself for the rest of my life working in administrative procedures or for-profit consulting, I can do more than that.
What impact did having a scholarship from FAJB have on your life?
My family did not have the possibility of sending me to study at one of the best universities in Central America. The Fundación A. Jean Brugger scholarship provided me with the ability to achieve my academic goals and, above all, it taught me to value education and to give back the knowledge I have acquired to my community. That community badly needs professionals with technical skills, but above all, needs professionals with common sense, values, ethics, and morals to achieve sustainable development.
What is the most important thing you learned during your time with FAJB?
To value opportunities, this implies many things; love what you do and find the meaning of your efforts and anxious moments; at the end of the story they are part of your experience and form who you are.
How important is having a university title to achieving your goals?
The university degree is very important, however, people should see beyond the paper it’s printed on, see all the effort that went into it. I could well obtain a degree and say that I went through the university, but the university may not have gone through me; in other words, the experience and dedication that we put into each job or assignment is worth more, it is worth being foolish and even annoying because that reflects passion. I know that Fundación A. Jean Brugger has been wise in choosing its scholarship students, because I am sure that none of them have gone after just a degree, but after knowledge and in search of their dreams.
Are you married, do you have children?
I am not married or have any biological children, but I am raising my nephew as my own child, including food and recreational expenses
Kiara Olivas
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What did you study, year of graduation, and in which university?
Architecture, 2016, UNAN-Managua What is your current job? I work independently as an Architect as a designer and supervisor, and part-time as Development Coordinator at BPP, an NGO that teaches English and elective classes to the children of my community. What are your dreams? To have my own Architectural Development studio or team and speak English fluently. |
Are you doing any volunteer service currently?
I dedicate part of my free time to environmental and reforestation activities that are organized in my community.
What is the most important thing you learned during your time with FAJB?
The most important thing I learned was the meaning of commitment, responsibility, and gratitude. The fact of having a scholarship made me set a goal of striving to achieve my dream of being an architect. In addition I am very grateful to all the Fundación staff, to Mrs. Jean
Brugger for being the founder of this scholarship program that has benefited many young people from my community, and especially to my sponsor Melanie Hamilton, who was not only my
sponsor, but my friend and who I consider part of my family.
A very important of my scholarship was participating in social service activities. I really enjoyed
participate in the Ancianos program. I learned to see the importance of consideration for the elderly.
How important is having a university title to achieving your goals?
Since I was little I wanted to be an architect. Having the opportunity to study that career was very important because that way I could achieve one of my goals and enjoy doing my
work, because I love what I do.
Are you married, do you have children?
I am married, I do not have children
I dedicate part of my free time to environmental and reforestation activities that are organized in my community.
What is the most important thing you learned during your time with FAJB?
The most important thing I learned was the meaning of commitment, responsibility, and gratitude. The fact of having a scholarship made me set a goal of striving to achieve my dream of being an architect. In addition I am very grateful to all the Fundación staff, to Mrs. Jean
Brugger for being the founder of this scholarship program that has benefited many young people from my community, and especially to my sponsor Melanie Hamilton, who was not only my
sponsor, but my friend and who I consider part of my family.
A very important of my scholarship was participating in social service activities. I really enjoyed
participate in the Ancianos program. I learned to see the importance of consideration for the elderly.
How important is having a university title to achieving your goals?
Since I was little I wanted to be an architect. Having the opportunity to study that career was very important because that way I could achieve one of my goals and enjoy doing my
work, because I love what I do.
Are you married, do you have children?
I am married, I do not have children
Wendys Lugo
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What did you study, year of graduation, and in which university? Accounting 2011 UPOLI RIVAS What is your current job? Family business, sale of fishing articles (Tienda Calu) What are your dreams? My dream now is to take my small business to another level, and expand beyond this municipality. |
How did the Fundación scholarship impact your life?
With the Fundación scholarship I managed to conclude one of my goals in life, therefore its impact was positive, because it helped me improve my academic level and standard of living.
What is the most important thing you learned during your time with FAJB?
During my time with the Fundación, I learned to work more as a team. I learned the filigree technique, thanks to the handicraft courses offered by the Fundación in those years, through the Art Gallery. I learned to work with children in children's entertainment activities, (which by the way when the Fundación has activities with children I would love to be included and could help support a project).
How important is having a university title to achieving your goals?
My title was extremely important to achieve better financial control of my business.
Are you married, do you have children?
Married with 2 children
With the Fundación scholarship I managed to conclude one of my goals in life, therefore its impact was positive, because it helped me improve my academic level and standard of living.
What is the most important thing you learned during your time with FAJB?
During my time with the Fundación, I learned to work more as a team. I learned the filigree technique, thanks to the handicraft courses offered by the Fundación in those years, through the Art Gallery. I learned to work with children in children's entertainment activities, (which by the way when the Fundación has activities with children I would love to be included and could help support a project).
How important is having a university title to achieving your goals?
My title was extremely important to achieve better financial control of my business.
Are you married, do you have children?
Married with 2 children
Germán Sandino
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What did you study, year of graduation, and in which university? Law, 2006, Upoli-Rivas What is your current job? I practice my profession as a lawyer and notary public, I have my own law firm with two colleagues. What are your dreams? I would like to publish a book with all my works of Art. |
Are you doing any volunteer service currently?
Apart from being a member of the Board of Directors of Fundación A. Jean Brugger, I have always been doing social service directly and indirectly in the community, always as a volunteer, only with the desire to support.
With my profession I have provided free legal advice to many people in my office. As a member of the municipal government since 2013, I have approved various community projects that have benefited the population of San Juan del Sur, I have also had the opportunity to work with Mil Colores, at the Annual Art Fair and other events to promote local art. I am a collaborator of a company that works in the empowerment of women; I am in charge of the database, doing the advertising design and the campaigns of potential prospects.
In the past I belonged to the Nicaraguan Community Movement and to the Community Association for Environmental Protection, where the great motivator for the kids at that time was Fidel Pavón, with the projects of water filters, ecological kitchens, drinking water projects, sanitary service, among others. It has been a great experience.
How did the Fundación scholarship impact your life?
It was a wonderful experience to have the scholarship, I will never forget it. At the time I was only thinking about the university and not about the difficulties to be able to go. Above all it gave me the ability to meet new students, to have new experiences, and to work as a team in all the projects that were done. Sometimes there was a lot of work to do, but it was also a lot of fun, everything was reciprocal.
What is the most important thing you learned during your time with FAJB?
I learned to be a humanist, in the society in which we live, because previously social work did not attract my attention, when they called me to a meeting in my neighborhood I would rather hide because I did not like that. While at the Fundación I began to participate actively and in community and environmental social organizations.
How important is having a university title to achieving your goals?
It is important because it is a ticket; education raises your knowledge, transforms you in all aspects of your life, but you always have to be humble.
Are you married, do you have children?
In a relationship, currently without children.
Apart from being a member of the Board of Directors of Fundación A. Jean Brugger, I have always been doing social service directly and indirectly in the community, always as a volunteer, only with the desire to support.
With my profession I have provided free legal advice to many people in my office. As a member of the municipal government since 2013, I have approved various community projects that have benefited the population of San Juan del Sur, I have also had the opportunity to work with Mil Colores, at the Annual Art Fair and other events to promote local art. I am a collaborator of a company that works in the empowerment of women; I am in charge of the database, doing the advertising design and the campaigns of potential prospects.
In the past I belonged to the Nicaraguan Community Movement and to the Community Association for Environmental Protection, where the great motivator for the kids at that time was Fidel Pavón, with the projects of water filters, ecological kitchens, drinking water projects, sanitary service, among others. It has been a great experience.
How did the Fundación scholarship impact your life?
It was a wonderful experience to have the scholarship, I will never forget it. At the time I was only thinking about the university and not about the difficulties to be able to go. Above all it gave me the ability to meet new students, to have new experiences, and to work as a team in all the projects that were done. Sometimes there was a lot of work to do, but it was also a lot of fun, everything was reciprocal.
What is the most important thing you learned during your time with FAJB?
I learned to be a humanist, in the society in which we live, because previously social work did not attract my attention, when they called me to a meeting in my neighborhood I would rather hide because I did not like that. While at the Fundación I began to participate actively and in community and environmental social organizations.
How important is having a university title to achieving your goals?
It is important because it is a ticket; education raises your knowledge, transforms you in all aspects of your life, but you always have to be humble.
Are you married, do you have children?
In a relationship, currently without children.
Nancy Morales Noguera
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What did you study, year of graduation, and in which university?
I was one of the first young people to benefit from a Fundación scholarship, supported by its project to enable youth to opt for a professional career. Thanks to all the effort and motivation that characterizes Jean Brugger, the founder, and with the support of my sponsors, today I am a professional with a BA in Business Administration and a Master's in Marketing and Sales. What is your current job? After finishing my degree, I worked in different companies professionally. I currently work as an associate for a Real Estate company, KW, focused on my project called MauNa Home, a Real Estate agency. How did the Fundación scholarship impact your life? Thanks to Fundación A. Jean Brugger, I managed to graduate from university. There were many projects during the time of my scholarship that taught me that we must always work hard to achieve our dreams. Also I learned the culture of caring for the environment, and of protecting our beautiful port and the surrounding areas. Are you married, do you have children? After finishing my studies and preparing for the future, I started my family, I'm married and I have a 7-year-old boy named Mauricio. |
Karla Membreño
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What did you study, year of graduation, and in which university? Physiotherapy, generation 2010, UNAN Managua What is your current job? I am self-employed as a physical therapist and masseuse. Are you doing any volunteer service currently? I like doing social service because it is a way to give back what I received. I also think that it is a way of showing gratitude to the Fundación. Currently I am the Vice-President of the Board of Directors of Fundación A. Jean Brugger, a volunteer position. What impact did having a scholarship from FAJB have on your life? I felt a mixture of feelings receiving the positive news, I remember crying with joy because it was what I needed to go to university, my parents wanted me to study but we had no economic resources. |
What is the most important thing you learned during your time with FAJB?
The meaning of being grateful; the scholarship was a real blessing for me. Being in the different activities taught me to work as a team with people with different characters and spirits, among other things. Today they are pleasurable memories, and I'm glad to know that we were a great team.
What are your dreams?
My dreams were to start a studio but given the different crises that the country has gone through, I couldn't. I also dream of studying bioanalysis or pharmacy, I love both of them.
How important is having a university title to achieving your goals?
The important thing about having a degree is having credibility, better salary and being preferred by clients.
Are you married, do you have children?
I am married and have 2 girls, Georgina 12 and Isabella of 4.
The meaning of being grateful; the scholarship was a real blessing for me. Being in the different activities taught me to work as a team with people with different characters and spirits, among other things. Today they are pleasurable memories, and I'm glad to know that we were a great team.
What are your dreams?
My dreams were to start a studio but given the different crises that the country has gone through, I couldn't. I also dream of studying bioanalysis or pharmacy, I love both of them.
How important is having a university title to achieving your goals?
The important thing about having a degree is having credibility, better salary and being preferred by clients.
Are you married, do you have children?
I am married and have 2 girls, Georgina 12 and Isabella of 4.
Yarisleidy Mariana Cortez Mayorquin
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What did you study, year of graduation, and in which university?
Business Administration, 2013, Upoli Rivas What is your current job? Director of Community Development, Comunidad Connect, Jinotega What are your dreams? I have many dreams. On a professional level, I want to continue to educate myself in the social area, working on social projects. It is difficult to pay for a postgraduate or master's degree in community development/social management but it is never too late, they say. I hope that one day the economy will create more opportunities to save money or to do "something else." |
What impact did having a scholarship from FAJB have on your life?
Because of my excellent high school grades, I received scholarship offers from MINED, but I had the opportunity to apply for the Fundación. Receiving the news that I had been selected was very gratifying. From the first day, meeting the people who were supporting my future and, now, being part of their families, fills me with eternal gratitude. Without a doubt the experience marked my social work today.
What is the most important thing you learned during your time with FAJB?
The most important and relevant thing has been participation in community service activities. I learned that community service strengthens the solidarity and goodness that we all have. It frames the way we view our careers and the way we cope with challenges. As scholarship students we learn the value of things once again.
How important is having a university title to achieving your goals?
My university degree is making a difference in our societty’s challenges and opportunities. Education is the inheritance that our parents leave us, and to be educated and to fulfill goals with the help of others is a great achievement for those of us who believe that education eliminates obstacles.
Are you married, do you have children?
I am single, without children.
Because of my excellent high school grades, I received scholarship offers from MINED, but I had the opportunity to apply for the Fundación. Receiving the news that I had been selected was very gratifying. From the first day, meeting the people who were supporting my future and, now, being part of their families, fills me with eternal gratitude. Without a doubt the experience marked my social work today.
What is the most important thing you learned during your time with FAJB?
The most important and relevant thing has been participation in community service activities. I learned that community service strengthens the solidarity and goodness that we all have. It frames the way we view our careers and the way we cope with challenges. As scholarship students we learn the value of things once again.
How important is having a university title to achieving your goals?
My university degree is making a difference in our societty’s challenges and opportunities. Education is the inheritance that our parents leave us, and to be educated and to fulfill goals with the help of others is a great achievement for those of us who believe that education eliminates obstacles.
Are you married, do you have children?
I am single, without children.