https://youtube.com/shorts/2zhCYif6oYE?si=bU_8u2S5zsvAMIxl

My name is Cristy Garrido, and I’m the proud single mom of an extraordinary young woman—my daughter, Christine.

Christine is an 18-year-old from Honduras, who has always been determined to make something bigger of her life, not just for herself, but for the people around her. This year, she achieved something incredible: she was accepted to the University of San Francisco with a generous scholarship package that recognized her academic excellence and leadership potential.

Her dream is clear—Christine wants to study accounting and finance so she can create businesses and programs that give single mothers and underserved communities in Honduras the opportunity to earn an income, provide for their children, and break cycles of poverty.

Her “why” began years ago, in Flower Mountains of Rural Honduras.

Since childhood, Christine traveled with me to these remote communities, where she saw mission teams from the United States working alongside locals to improve lives—building homes, providing medical care, and starting small businesses. Even as a little girl, she noticed the contrast: while she had access to school, a safe home, and a supportive family, many children there didn’t.

One of the projects that touched her most was helping single mothers sell handmade bracelets, beads, and jewelry to pay for their children’s schooling. Over the years, Christine saw how those efforts changed futures—girls who once never dreamed of going to high school began to believe it was possible, and some are now pursuing higher education.

“Like I always say, knowledge is power,” Christine told me. “If education could change their lives, I know I can use mine to change even more lives.”

Studying in San Francisco puts Christine in one of the world’s leading financial hubs, where she can gain the knowledge, skills, and connections to return home and build real, sustainable opportunities for others.

Even with scholarships—the Global Scholar, University International, Field of Study, Go North, and Horizon—Christine still needs $40,000 USD to cover tuition, housing, books, health insurance, and living expenses for her first year. As an international student, she cannot access U.S. loans or federal aid. And with the current economic challenges in Honduras, my real estate business can’t cover the gap.

Christine isn’t asking for extras—just the chance to finish what she’s worked her whole life to start.

If you can donate, we are deeply grateful.

If you can share this campaign, that’s just as important.

If all you can give is encouragement, we’ll treasure that too.

Your support today will not just help Christine attend college—it will help her return home with the skills to create lasting opportunities for others.