“I remember how helpless I felt at not being able to help him and tend to his wounds,” she said. “At that time, I vowed to become a doctor and help the people in need in small communities like mine.”

Her dream was almost derailed when her mother became seriously ill. Her family’s Michoacan ranch was struggling financially, and her father had to leave the area to find work. Nohemi joined her older sister in San Jose del Cabo and started bagging groceries to help support the family.

Not only was Nohemi’s dream of medical school in doubt, it seemed likely she would join the 50 percent of Mexican students who don’t finish high school.

Then she found a path to her goals through Liga MAC. Nohemi was accepted into the nonprofit’s Educational Support Program and graduated from high school with honors in 2020. A recommendation from Liga MAC also helped her earn a college scholarship.

“I could not have achieved any of this without the support of Liga MAC and everyone involved. You helped me when I needed it most,” she said.

Since 2020, Nohemi has overcome a series of challenges. Because her degree was from a technical high school, she had to return to high school for a year to earn credits in chemistry and biology.

When she applied to medical school, she missed the cutoff by eight points and was invited to study nursing instead. She accepted and began classes in January 2022. The experience has strengthened her passion for a career in health services.

In 2022, she suffered an additional blow when she lost her beloved grandmother.

Through it all, Nohemi has stayed committed to her dream. She plans to re-apply to medical school with the goal of becoming a surgeon or cardiologist. Ultimately, she hopes to travel the world as a volunteer physician helping people in need.

Liga MAC’s support continues to inspire her. “I will always remember you as my motor, my starting point and my family. Thanks for everything!”