From the small fishing community of San Juanicoin Baja California Sura story of effort, inspiration and deep community roots has emerged: the story of Obedia Aguilar Aguilara woman who, with the sea as her witness and education as her dream, succeeded in becoming a teacher and today runs a high school in Mulegé.

In his testimony for Voices from the Seaa podcast produced by Loudspeaker Radio with the collaboration of NOS Sustainable NorthwestObedia recounted how her childhood in San Juanico marked his life.

"I lived all my childhood in my little town, in San Juanico, with my parents. My father has always been a fisherman, my brother too, and being the youngest daughter of the family, being there with them for so long is a huge connection with this community, with the beach, with the sea," she said.

Since she was a little girl, she played at being teacher. Although her community had only one telesecundaria, her parents did their best to support her so that she could continue her high school education at Constitution City.

"There was no high school to continue there, so we left home, we had to leave the community to Ciudad Constitución to continue studying. My siblings did not have the opportunity, the older ones, they did not study, they did not prepare themselves, so my parents wanted me to have that opportunity. They supported me so that I could continue my studies," he recalled.

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After graduating from high school, Obedia, who as a child played with her cousins from San Juanico She took a summer leveling course and liked it so much that she gave herself the opportunity to try to study to become a teacher.

"From that moment on, I took the exam for the Normal School, it is what I dreamed of the most. When I took the exam, my parents accompanied me and I cried with emotion because I saw myself on the list, 'yes, I passed'. It was a great joy because they also wanted me to achieve my dream," she recalled.

Today, as a high school principal, she seeks to transmit that inspiration to her students. She always talks to them to value the efforts of their parents, many of whom are fishermen or day laborers, and to follow their dreams.

Although he had to leave San Juanico Obedia emphasized that he will always carry his small fishing village in his heart, because it is where he grew up, where he made beautiful memories and where his parents still live.

"I grew up in that place and I want the best for them, for the young people who currently live there, that they see that this community will grow. May they take care of it, may it be a prosperous community and for the better, may there not come a time when we lose it, but may it be a community that has many job opportunities and that the people live happily," he wished.

The Obedia teacher not only represents the value of education in rural communities, she is also an example of female leadership in the region. Her testimony is also a reminder that behind every teacher there is a story, an origin and a community that saw her grow and achieve her dream.

Source: Voices of the Sea Podcast