Colegio is not only known for winning many international awards and for having the best “jangueos,” but we are also well known for having many student based organizations that donate articles and their time for natural catastrophes, animal shelters, etc. In this very same way “Come Colegial” was born. “Come Colegial” is a non-profit student association that supplies food to the students who can’t afford it. But let’s start at the beginning.
In 2013 the popular “Confesiones UPRM” facebook page was being flooded with anonymous messages from students who were stating that it was a sacrifice to study at Colegio; not only were classes and making friends hard, but they couldn’t afford food supplies either. Colegial Fabiola Medina, took note of this and felt the need to take it upon herself to make a difference on campus. In May she independently organized an event with catering from Pollo Tropical, set up in front of the Celis building and gave away food to anyone who came by. In August 2013, this initiative became the student organization, “Come Colegial.”
This organization is able to help students thanks to donations and volunteers. “Come Colegial” has organized food drives, sales and events to help and provide it to those who need it most. The donations come from students, alumni and even from nearby towns. “The amount of support the organization has received is more than we could hope for,”current president of the organization Diego Rosado shared. The help this organization receives is mostly from the same community it helps, which keeps showing great support evidenced by the increasing amount of people getting involved with the cause, and feel the need to help the organization make a difference to those in need.
This organization has helped a lot of students, but there are some cases that are impossible to forget. For example, if you ask for help from the organization they will ask you if you have access to a kitchen, which is because a grad student who used to receive help from the organization lived in his car. There was another case in which the girl’s father had lost everything and they couldn’t even afford food. It is cases like these when you notice how real this issue is and how hard just being here at Colegio must be for some people.
“When we begin to realize how close this issue really is, not just “out there,” it’s happening right here, maybe the person sitting next to you in English class had to skip dinner last night because he couldn’t afford it, it is the time when the issue starts having an impact on you,” Diego stated. You shouldn’t be ashamed to ask for help, there is no shame in this situation. The more the name of “Come Colegial” is out there and the more people know about it, the less embarrassment students will feel if they are in need for help. If you or someone you know is going through this situation, you are not alone, and you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. “Come Colegial” is here for and because of you.
If you need help or wish to make a donation Click Here, to contact the committee of “Come Colegial.”