Martim Cererê
September 1974, the beginning of the dream of five Brazilian women that immigrated to Ecuador following love with their Ecuadorian husbands. In the early 70’s these brave women found a way to bring their passion, vision, leadership and entrepreneurship to support kids’ education in Quito-Ecuador. They joined efforts and founded Unidad Educativa Bilingüe Martim Cererê, an elementary and high school based on care, love, discipline, and high performance standards.
I had the pleasure and honor to attend Martim Cererê's 50th year anniversary celebration. A journey that I have lived and followed for the entirety of my life. I have seen Nelita de Faria de Aulestia, my mom, and her partners Regina Freire de Jaramillo, Roseli Stein de Garcés, Neusa Laubory de Sosa y Anamaría Richter de Tobar worked incessantly to deliver the best education and a heartfelt environment where students, teachers and parents feel welcome and a solid foundation of kid's growth and development is delivered.
I was lucky to have my mom close to me until I was 12 years old. A smart way for her to thrive professionally and be a present mom at all times. This is nothing different to the kids of the other four partners. It was exciting and heartwarming to be all together and celebrate the past, present and future. Our moms’ seed in us and all the students of Martim Cererê a great example of leadership, ability to make a dream a reality and magnify a vision and mission that bring the highest value to our communities.
I teared up a few times, as well as other graduates of the school, reminiscing this story, hearing the school’s anthem, and honoring the founders and new leadership of Martim Cererê. It is a well-executed leadership succession to ensure kids, parents and teachers can continue to enjoy and be supported by the legacy and the promising future that this school represents.
I can write for hours about this success story of five tenacious, focused, smart and heart centered women that brought light and love to Ecuadorian education. Regina and Anamaría are not with us anymore. However, that has not stopped that day after day, and with Bayardo Tobar (Anamaría’s husband), they continue to make a reality of their mission:"Shape human beings with personal and academic excellence who are committed to building a better world." .
Wishing the best to Jacques Landazuri Wiets, Jorge Trujillo, Cristina Donoso (new leadership) and the new generation of teachers and administrators so that they continue with this legacy and carry the baton of everything that Martim Cererê represents in favor of their students, parents and the world.
#leadership #legacy #progressive #future #excellence #mission #purpose #education #betterworld