A scholarship recipient of the Benito Massó Scholarship Fund for Loíza Youth, he tells how during his childhood he became interested in becoming an industrial engineer, a goal he is pursuing with the financial support of this philanthropic opportunity.
From small to Jamiel A. Rivera Clemente He liked to find ways to make things easier, never suspecting that this would be the source of his professional future.
“If there was something to do without having to work so hard, I would try to find a way to make it easier. I remember taking toys, taking them apart and putting them back together again, and I was very interested in how I could improve something,” says the 21-year-old Loiceño.
«When I read what it is to be an industrial engineer, I realized it had a lot to do with my lifestyle because industrial engineers specialize in improving processes and making everything more efficient. I was doing that from a young age, not knowing what it was to be an industrial engineer. When I realized that this bachelor's degree was about what I had already been doing since I was a child, I chose it with my eyes closed,” adds the fifth-year industrial engineering student from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus.
Rivera Clemente is a fellow of the Benito Massó Scholarship Fund for Loíza Youths, The program is a supplemental financial support opportunity for young people of African descent from this coastal municipality of Puerto Rico, who are pursuing post-secondary studies at the undergraduate level, such as baccalaureate, associate, technical or vocational degrees and certifications, at accredited institutions in Puerto Rico.
“The scholarship is a super special help because I don't have an economic facility. It helps me to complete transportation expenses and pay rent. In my case it is essential because I decided to study in Mayaguez, far from Loíza, from my hometown. This help they have given me is very important to be able to be much calmer in the economic aspect. It gives me peace of mind to continue doing what I have to do,” he says.
The Fund celebrates the life of Massó, writer and psychologist, and gives continuity to his work in Loíza, where he was a member of the initiative's Community Council. Boys & Men of Color of the Obama Foundation, promoted by the FCPR to encourage the youth of Loíza to reach their full potential - Massó's participation joined other efforts to achieve equity and dignity for people of African descent.
To date, 67 scholarships have been awarded to Afro-descendant youth in Loíza, a philanthropic investment of $95,500 -several have been for renewal.
When Rivera Clemente learned that he was selected for the scholarship during his second year of study - his academic performance has allowed him to renew the scholarship four times - he was “super happy and grateful because I didn't expect them to give me that opportunity. They thought I was worthy of that help.”.
This is the first philanthropic grant he has received, he says.
“The Fund is a good initiative because Loíza is not a rich town. I love that this help is given to people who want to get ahead,” he says.
Rivera Clemente also wants to graduate with a minor in programming, because he understands it complements his interests and professional career. “I want to do it to have more opportunities in the industry. Programming helps you automate many things and makes processes more effective, which is basically what an industrial engineer has to do,” he mentions.
The young man also hopes that his sister, who is about to graduate from high school, will apply to the Fund and that this opportunity will continue to expand.