OYE Scholarship Recipient of the Month: Yarli Yanes

Yarli Yanes came to OYE in 2008 when she was just 17-years-old through an act of sheer luck. One day Yarli’s mother was walking by the OYE office in El Progreso and saw an advertisement for OYE’s scholarship program. Sra. Yanes stepped in the office to ask about the program, and she learned that the deadline for applying was the following day. After Sra. Yanes relayed the information to her daughter, Yarli worked quickly and tirelessly that night to prepare an application that reflected her history, educational goals, and personal aspirations.

Yarli has always liked to study, and she knew from the moment she entered OYE that she wanted to pursue an education in industrial engineering. A gifted leader and eloquent speaker, Yarli took an active role at OYE from the start and helped found its radio program, OYE El Ritmo. Yarli has served as the program’s coordinator from when the radio was just a laptop and a microphone to what it is now – an online radio channel with a fully equipped radio studio.

An extrovert by nature, the now 21-year-old Yarli was attracted to the idea of a radio program from the start since she wanted to transmit young people's ideas to El Progreso. The radio program currently streams online, but Yarli’s goal is for OYE el Ritmo to acquire its own local channel on Progreso’s radio waves.

While leading OYE el Ritmo, Yarli has learned a great deal about communication and how to utilize up-to-date radio technologies and computer programs. Challenges that come with the job include motivating her team of 15 to do their best on a daily basis.

Yarli’s experience at OYE has had an undeniable affect on her life and professional trajectory. The monthly scholarship money helps her to concentrate on her studies and covers costs for things like books and transportation to and from school. If it were not for OYE, she would be struggling to support her studies financially.

Working with OYE has had a great affect on Yarli’s relationships with her family members. She feels more responsible and her parents are extremely proud of her work, particularly her role with OYE el Ritmo. Yarli’s siblings often tease her, saying that she could bring her bed and clothes to the OYE office since she spends so much time there.

After Yarli graduates from UNITEC (La Universidad Tecnológica Centroamericana) in two years, she would love to travel abroad to gain knowledge about other countries, peoples, and cultures before returning to Honduras to work. She hopes to embark in a career in communications while continuing to support OYE in whatever capacity she can.

A young woman and leader, Yarli appreciates that OYE trains youth in the areas of art, sports, radio, writing, and leadership regardless of gender. She believes that all people have inherently equal value because we are all human.

Check out Yarli on Avon Voices, where she is competing for a shot for a major label record deal. Click here to support!

OYE’s Dynamic Abuela

OYE has a five foot dynamo who is a wonderful supporter and fundraiser in Washington DC. She is Maria Teresa Otero, the grandmother of Justin Eldridge Otero, one of the founders of OYE and mother of Maria Otero, a former OYE board member. "Abuela" as she is affectionately called by nearly everyone, has nine children and countless grandchildren, many of whom have traveled to Honduras to volunteer with OYE. Currently her granddaughters Laura and Lucia Otero from Santa Cruz, Bolivia are spending a month in El Progreso to volunteer with OYE.

Maria Terese meets weekly with her biblical study group at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Washington, D.C. Every week she tells her fellow group members about the progress and activities of OYE and how proud she is of OYE and her grandchildren who are involved. The group members have adopted the cause of youth in Honduras and respond with generous donations to OYE on a regular basis. The small but consistent donations have added up over the years and are invaluable to OYE. However, one time a participant who was visiting said she was inspired by OYE's message and gave Maria Teresa a check which she did not look at until arriving home. It was a one-time donation for $10,000.

At the recent Christmas celebration of the large Otero clan, abuela suggested that the families donate to OYE and another charity instead of exchanging gifts.

The Board of Directors presented Maria Teresa Otero with a plaque and an OYE t-shirt as a small token of their appreciation for her wonderful efforts in supporting OYE and encouraging her grandchildren. Here she is proudly wearing her OYE shirt.

"Muchas gracias, abuela!"

Resolve to make a difference in 2011

Learn more here.

Faces of 2011

Lots and Lots has been going on and we have not had time to fill you in, but we will soon. Until then here are two photos. One from the 2011 Scholarship Ceremony and the other from Januarys AltBreak volunteer group. 

SOMOS OYE 2011!!!

GeorgeWashington Volunteers. 

OYE Holiday Greeting!!

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Holiday Greetings from OYE Honduras December 2010 Dear OYE Family, On behalf of the staff and youth of OYE, we would like to offer you our thanks for your continued support and our wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season. As OYE completes another year, the achievements of its 75 scholars and the hundreds of youth it reaches testify to the strength of OYE's mission: education is the tool that empowers youth to take hold of their futures, become leaders and contribute to society. We have enormous gratitude for each of you for your continued support. Your donations enable OYE to fundamentally change the lives of at-risk youth in Honduras. OYE's young, committed and capable staff has worked hard to develop the leadership skills of OYE's youth. This year's main focus has been to train OYE's youth to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate community focused projects. As a complement to their studies, OYE youth completed courses on project management and implementation. Today, they are responsible for managing OYE's major programs: sports, magazine, radio, art and scholarships. This very significant transition to youth-led programs took place this last summer, and the youth have demonstrated incredible competency as they have assumed these new responsibilities. OYE believes this is the way to build the present and future leaders of Honduras. 2010 was a great year for OYE: it is growing as an established institution and it is reaching more people. It is ready to scale up its program. The only constraint OYE faces is funding. Foundations have cut back in this economic environment and OYE has felt the effects. It needs your support more than ever. Contributions to OYE can be made online through our Paypal account. OYE is a 501 (c) 3 tax deductible public charity. For more information, please visit us at our website, check out our blog, and read our 2010 year-end summary. YOUR DONATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE! OYE's 2010 Highlights What we've been up to... Eight scholars graduated from high school and all eight are proceeding to college. In a country where less than 30% of the population graduates from high school, it is a phenomenal achievement to have 100% of our high school graduates continue to the university. Our first university graduate has completed her practicum in industrial engineering. She grew up an orphan, living in a group home for girls. Today, she is an engineer. She is also giving back to OYE, teaching English, conducting writing workshops for the youth who run the magazine and mentoring young women. OYE receives 10 times the number of applications for scholarships than it can fill. It is poised to double or triple its scholarships. Resources are the only constraint. OYE's magazine for youth has published 11 editions and circulated more than 10,000 issues. Under youth leader Fabiola Oro, a scholar, the magazine has professionalized its format and is the leading magazine for youth in the city. OYE's soccer league of 14 teams and its youth-led online radio show are self sufficient. We express our apologies in advance if you happen to receive this message twice, as we have also sent some letters out via snail mail. Again, OYE staff and youth send you their warmest regards and wish you happy holidays. Much gratitude to each of you. Sincerely, Ana Luisa Ahern Justin Eldridge-Otero Luis Paredes Marisol Fuentes Co-Founder Co-Founder Co-Director Co-Director