My name is Aracely del Carmen Vallecillo Talavera and I am 27 years old. I received support from the Asla foundation for my studies at University from 2013 to 2019. I studied at The National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN), the main state-funded public university of Nicaragua in Managua, about 120 miles from Condega, a 3 ½ hour drive. I lived on campus in a small house that had four students per house. In order to stay in the houses I was required to maintain grades of 80% or higher in my classes. I received my degree in General Medicine and then I did my 2 years of social services at the hospital here in Condega. During that time I traveled to the many communities around Condega to see patients at their health centers. Now I am working as a doctor at the Clinica de Diosis in Esteli. Here is a link to a Facebook page about me and my clinic -- https://www.facebook.com/100003521666599/posts/4237064633087550/?sfnsn=mo.
I live in Solidaridad which is like a suburb of Condega, about 15 minutes from the central area. I have a sister who studied to be a nurse, and she also had help from Asla. My younger brother finished high school and now he works as a mechanic fixing motorcycles. (Note from Nola: “I used to live in Solidaridad when I first came to Nicaragua in 2001, so Aracely and her siblings were young children. Their mom is a stay at home mom and their dad makes furniture. In fact her dad made me a table and a bed for the first place I rented).
I am very grateful for the help all these years from Asla. My scholarship helped me with transportation, food, books, and tuition. Next year I hope to apply for a medical residency for a specialty in either pediatrics or anesthesia. I need to take an exam for that in February so I am studying now and also working as a doctor.
Thanks you so much for the support that I have received from the Asla Foundation. I am so grateful to be able to give back to my community as a doctor.
