To become a professional footballer, the dream of Alan.

Alan José Miguel Rodríguez is 10 years old and has been participating in CODENI just 3 years. He stands out for being an extremely active child, with a clear enjoyment of football and all activities that imply speed and physical force. In fact, his life goal is to be a professional footballer and he is working to try to enter a professional football club.

Alan is currently studying his 5th year of primary school and although he has had highs and lows in his educational and personal progression, he has always been characterised for his conviction and endeavour to achieve his goals.

This is why we recognise in Alan Jose as our participant of the month of January, his effort to improve his behaviour, school grades and work to achieve his life goal make him worthy of this recognition.

For her desire to continue studying, Leonor was chosen as the participant of the month.

Leonor Gónzalez Téllez is a teenager that has been participating in CODENI for more than 6 years, throughout this time she’s had to confront different situations that have helped her to forge her character, define and defend what she really wants for her present and future life.

In school her favourite subject is mathematics and the moments she enjoys most in CODENI are those related to art because she distresses herself. In her free time she helps her mum, while she works to care for her younger sister Adriana who is 9 and her little brother Juan who is 2.

At 15 years of age, Leonor is currently studying her first semester of preparatory school (college), thanks to her impetus and determination, she spoke with the director because her mum didn’t have money to pay for the semester and she was going to stay out of school. She managed get them to allow her to study in exchange for doing social service in her school.

This is why Leonor has earned being the participant of the month, cause thanks to her conviction, effort and dedication, after many difficulties today she finds herself studying at college.

For his effort in improving himself, Juan Carlos is the Participant of the Month of September

Juan Carlos is the oldest son in his family. He is 9 years old, going into 4th grade in primary school and helps out with his younger brother Isac at Codeni. His parents work in the informal commerce sector in the downtown area of Guadalajara and he accompanies them. In the evenings he works downtown packing bags in the commercial center.

He likes math class a lot, but not so much Spanish class, nevertheless he has put in a lot of effort to obtain higher grades by actively participating in Codeni’s homework club. Juan also enjoys the reflection workshops where he has learned about how self-control and anti-violence are important in order to co-exist with his peers and the other people who surround him.

Because of all the effort that Juan has put into improving himself on a day to day basis, he has been nominated the Participant of the Month for September.

Participant for the month of June: Janeth Avalos Nicolás

Janeth is 13 years old and is the youngest of his 3 siblings. His family sells candies in a stand outside of the subway station for the Tren Ligero at the Periférico Sur stop, they are of Otomí origin. Her and her sister Jackeline have been coming to Codeni for almost 2 years and found out about the institution because they have some cousins that had attended Codeni before they did. When Janeth first came to Codeni, she was very shy and quiet, but little by little she has been growing and becoming more sociable. This month she has earned the participant of the month because she had had low grades in school and minimal participation in Codeni, however, she was determined to better her grades and she promised to be in the tutor program at Codeni. She had passed her most recent grade in school with better grades and for this reason she deserved to be the participant of the month. She likes to read a lot and has made new friends at Codeni that help make her feel good with her activities.

The last year she participated in the book of photographic research, “Everywhere, Hundreds of Thousands”, by the photographer Natalia Fregoso, where she wrote one of her stories talking about working children in diverse environments and places in the country.

Inthan: a proud and moving participant of the month of May.

Inthan Manuel Galaviz Rivas, at 10 years old has demonstrated with effort and dedication that one can always achieve the impossible.

Since he started his elementary education, he showed difficulties in reading and writing. Some of his teachers would comment that “as long as he learns how to read and write it would be enough” and today as years went by not only does he have those abilities, but he has also reached a high level of good grades each bimester. He is a great example of achievement, effort, and commitment that re assures us that anything is possible. He hardly ever misses a day at CODEN, he tries his best with the daily activities and demonstrates responsibility that have shown in his school grades. Which has made him participant of the month and it is well deserved.

Congratulations Inthan! 

Check out our annual report for 2013

November´s Participant of the Month: Silvia Ramírez

Silvia is the oldest of four daughters in her family. She currently lives with her grandparents, who are helping support her during her pregnancy. She is excited but nervous to become a mom in January.

A few months ago his father died, which was a great loss in the family. However, Silvia’s determination has not faltered, and she continues to strive to meet her goals as a professional and as a mom.

Silvia has participated in CODENI for 8 years now, and has set out to accomplish her dreams. At 19, Silvia is currently studying a degree in Elementary Education with great motivation. Silvia wants to be a teacher and to convey to children the education and support she has received from teachers, and the CODENI educators. 

In her own words: 

"It is time to give back to children what I received as a child!"