Yuri Faviola Hernandez is a 14-year-old middle school student participating in the Predisan Scholarship Program.

Her birth mother raised her for the first six years of her life in the capital city of Tegucigalpa, while pursuing a livelihood in prostitution, and living a life involving drugs and alcohol.

Nicolasa Mendoza, her aunt, asked her sister to leave Yuri with her and give her a chance to raise her in her home in the community of Jicaro Gordo, about 20 minutes outside of the city of Catacamas. Over the past eight years, there have been many hardships and difficulties living in this home with her aunt’s other children. Yuri had problems in her behavior, and her grades were low.

In her fifth year as a beneficiary of the Predisan Scholarship Program, Yuri has had a chance to go on to middle school and with the help of Predisan chaplains, confront problems in her home, strengthen her conviction to seek Jesus, and improve her academics.

At one key moment, Yuri and the Senora Nicolasa confronted their differences and personal conflicts and shared a moment of forgiveness. Hugs and saying “I’m sorry,” were huge in the restoration of this relationship.

Yuri began serving in her congregation as part of the Sunday worship ministry team helping in the preparation of acts of worship. Now, Yuri maintains an 80 percent average in school, and is beginning to accept those who offer her help in her studies, and the Predisan volunteers eager to share in her personal development.

One particular help has come from high school students who attend the private bi-lingual high school in Catacamas, and who volunteer time to tutor students in the scholarship program. This sharing between students and these efforts to help each other improve is one of the great achievements of the Predisan Scholarship Program in 2009.

Below, Yuri's aunt, Nicolasa Mendoza and three of her children.