I was born in Arcatao, a rural area defined by its mountainous landscape and agricultural work. My earliest memories are tied to life in the countryside: dirt roads, farm animals, quiet sunrises, and the simple rhythm of rural life. However, when I was three years old, my family faced a loss that changed the course of our lives. The economic situation became complicated, leading my mother to make the difficult decision to travel to Belize for work. Before leaving, she temporarily placed us in an orphanage run by religious sisters.

That period in the orphanage lasted five years and became one of the most formative experiences of my life. While adapting to the strict routine and early mornings was initially difficult, I soon learned that discipline and consistency were vital for my future. The daily structure involved organized chores, from making beds and cleaning common areas to working in the vegetable gardens. These experiences taught me more than just manual labor; planting seeds and watching them grow taught me patience, while vocational workshops like the bakery taught me to value the process behind every result.

Ultimately, the orphanage helped me build order, cooperation, and a deep sense of responsibility. Over time, I adapted so well that the routine became a way of life rather than an effort. That structure helped me grow emotionally and understand that every sacrifice has a purpose.

When my mother returned from Belize, we re-established our home in Guarjila. Over time, the family grew, and I became the second of four siblings. My stepfather is a local farmer, and I got involved in field work from a young age. Alongside him, I reinforced and expanded everything I had learned at the orphanage. We worked planting corn, beans, squash, and other traditional crops. I learned the seasons, ancient techniques, how to respect nature's rhythm, and how to work the land with dedication and patience. For years, my mornings were dedicated to the fields and my afternoons to studying.

Although I initially had difficulties in school due to my responsibilities at home, I finally managed to improve my performance. In high school, I found motivation and discipline, along with a clearer vision of what I wanted to achieve. A pivotal moment that changed my mindset was joining a community youth group “Los Tamarindos”; seeing how many of them strove and studied thanks to scholarships pushed me to set that goal for myself as well.

Thanks to my dedication and constant effort, I obtained a scholarship from the Tamarindo program founded by Joe Albers and Luis Lopez, which allowed me to access university studies. During the scholarship, my commitment extended to social service: I participated actively in the community with different activities, including cleaning campaigns and trash collection in streets and parks, clearing the cemetery, and organizing food drives to support low-income families. These activities not only helped me value collective effort but taught me to be an agent of change. In 2020, I graduated with a degree in Business Administration, an achievement representing effort, opportunity, and the support of those who believed in me.

After graduation, I faced a challenge common in rural areas: a lack of job opportunities. I spent months looking for employment without success. However, an opportunity arrived thanks to the same founders of my scholarship program, Joe and Luis, that would mark a turning point in my life: the chance to enter a training process for a technology company, Grande Data.

The requirement to apply for a position was to complete a rigorous training program lasting approximately one year. The program included training in digital tools, technological processes, analytical skills, and constant evaluations. At first, entering the world of technology was a huge challenge, as it was completely different from what I had known in agriculture. The biggest shock was adapting to the constant task of data labeling during long shifts. But my discipline, consistency, and ability to adapt, strengthened since childhood in the orphanage and the cornfields (milpa), became my greatest allies. I managed to overcome the challenge by staying focused on what needed to be done, applying the same perseverance that agriculture taught me.

During that year of training, I strove to the maximum to adapt to the tech world, learning to use new tools and reinforcing skills I never imagined developing. After many months of dedication, I was selected as one of the first five to officially join Grande Data from among all the trainees. That is how, thanks to my strong results, I secured the job in 2023. That moment opened a new stage in my professional life, allowing me to discover new talents and build a different path, without forgetting my roots.

In addition, while working, I made the decision to study English, understanding that mastering a second language would be fundamental for my professional growth. Initially, I attended classes on weekends, and over time I switched to studying online from my house after work.

This self-taught effort became the key that opened a new professional opportunity for me. Thanks to my dedication to the language, I was selected to join a team specializing in Natural Language Processing (NLP). I earned a key position on a recent project 2025 for our client Riviera Partners, where I participated in the design of a structured knowledge guide. This guide was fundamental for the team to successfully train and fine-tune a Large Language Model (LLM). This achievement not only proved our technical adaptability but laid the foundations for my next professional evolution.

With a clear vision of growth within the company, my role evolved beyond labeling. I accepted the challenge of participating in the creation and integration of AI-powered chatbots. Specifically, I focused on preparing to develop agricultural chatbot solutions. This new path allowed me to combine my deep knowledge of farming practices, learned in the milpas of Chalatenango, with cutting-edge technological tools. The possibility of merging both worlds, the land and the data, became my greatest motivation and allowed me to provide value in a unique way to Grande Data.

Today, I understand that every chapter of my life, from my childhood in the orphanage and the milpa to my university studies and transition to the technological world, has been a piece that formed me as a person. My story is a blend of effort, learning, resilience, and the constant desire to create a better future for myself and my family, always honoring my roots and the values I learned as a child.