The Javier Bardales Huaripata Scholarship

I am my ancestors’ wildest dream." I love this quote because for me it is true. I want to share with you the inspiration behind the first scholarship sponsored by Peruvians of USA.

Javier Bardales Huaripata was my maternal grandfather. He was a farmer from Cajamarca, Peru. At the age of 8 years old, Javier lost both of his parents and was forced to stop going to school to help his siblings work the farm. Although his education was cut short, as a parent, Javier encouraged his children, especially my mom, to continue their education. He lived in a time and place where girls were not encouraged to go to school. Yet, my grandfather made sure his daughters had the same opportunities as his sons - in academics and sports. He was a strong advocate for women to receive the same opportunities as men.

In this rural village of San Gregorio, there was only one elementary school. To ensure that his daughter, my mother, would finish secondary school he sent her to Lima at the tender age of 12. In Lima, my mother's life was tough. She encountered obstacles like managing full-time work, being a full-time student, and having a long commute. In Lima, my mom also experienced the insidious impact of racism. She was marginalized because of her gender or for being "cholita" (i.e. from a rural area). With a lot of work, she finished high school and was also able to bring her siblings to Lima.

Right before my grandfather passed away, my mom was accepted at Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. He was so proud of her! He wanted to do everything and anything to help her financially. He suggested selling his two oxen. My mom refused. She refused because he used the two oxen to plow the land and farm. My grandfather was getting older and not having his oxen to plow meant he would have to do it himself using physical force.

Fast forward a few years, due to the political situation in Peru in the 80s and financial struggles, my mom was not able to finish her undergraduate studies. I’m the first in my family to have completed undergraduate and graduate studies. But this dream started long before I was born. I never met my grandfather. But his story and unconditional love for my mom inspires and humbles me every day. I am grateful he was a great father to my mother. This scholarship serves as a lasting tribute to my grandfather, Javier Bardales Huaripata, a farmer from Cajamarca, who valued education, women empowerment, and resourcefulness.

The Javier Bardales Huaripata Scholarship will be awarded to ONE deserving student who displays a commitment to education, women empowerment, and resourcefulness as well as exemplifies “espíritu de superación.” For more information visit: peruviansofusa.com