Scholarships providing financial support for secondary, university, and doctoral studies form the cornerstone of the philanthropic commitment envisioned by Argentine businessman Roberto Rocca. Today, his foundation reaches 19 countries and 399 educational institutions. Its mission is to achieve educational excellence among thousands of low-income young people whose effort and academic performance deserve recognition and encouragement.
In Ecuador’s Amazon region, many young people look toward the future with hope. In this vast expanse of over 120,000 square kilometers, life thrives in all its natural abundance—tropical forests and lush wetlands cover nearly 45% of Ecuador’s total surface area. Here, thousands of secondary students can now dream and imagine a future, made possible through the Roberto Rocca Foundation’s scholarship program.
Students who achieve outstanding grades and maintain a record of high academic performance receive significant financial assistance, allowing them to continue their studies with renewed joy and optimism. Upon completing secondary school, they can choose to pursue a university degree or enroll in a qualified technical institute. Both options are viewed by students and their families as unique opportunities, given the high cost of continuing education.
Pursuing higher education in Ecuador is no easy task—especially for those living in the Oriente (Amazon) region. Small towns are often hundreds of kilometers away from universities, and reaching them represents an almost impossible challenge for families. Housing, study materials, transportation, and food expenses add up quickly. For a humble family in Ecuador’s Amazon, how could such an opportunity ever be afforded for their children?
What Happens When Outstanding Students Receive a Scholarship?
Carlos Salinas is a secondary school student at the Pacayacú community school—a small, modest town deep in the Amazon, on Ecuador’s northern border with Colombia. At sixteen, this bright and enthusiastic student from the Pacayacú Border Education Unit cherishes a noble dream: he envisions himself as a future professional in a technical field, working as an industrial mechanical engineer. “Once I graduate, I have a big, ambitious plan,” he says. “I dream of opening my own workshop—a place specialized in repairing industrial machinery.”
The dream of Oscar Benavides also inspires hope. At seventeen, like Carlos, he channels his energy toward effort and excellence: “I want to study, train, and become skilled as a professional so that I can start my own business. I haven’t yet defined my exact field of study, but I trust that, little by little, I’ll discover it along the way. For now, while advancing through my coursework, I’m focused on this scholarship opportunity,” Oscar says, sharing his plans for the future.
Present in Ecuador since 2021, the Roberto Rocca scholarships have become an essential educational program that rewards effort, dedication, and academic commitment. So far, more than 200 Ecuadorian students have benefited, and the program continues to expand. Before transforming the futures of young people in Ecuador, this scholarship initiative was available only in Argentina. Its extension to low-income border regions across Latin America is therefore an occasion for celebration.
The Experience of Studying in Quito
Darwin Vega is another student who took part in a pilot experience within the scholarship program. For a brief period, he worked as a Community Relations Specialist Manager intern at a company in Quito. “I want to earn my degree, but more than anything, I want my parents and siblings to be proud of my accomplishments. Having their support today is my main motivation to keep moving forward,” Darwin says with hope and enthusiasm.
He adds that living alone in Quito—a vast and complex city—has been challenging. Daily life can be exhausting and demanding. He misses his family deeply but knows he cannot waste this unique opportunity that life has given him. Not everything is easy, but he understands that this, too, is part of the journey—and so he smiles and trusts in the path ahead.
