My name is Nestor Tellez, and I was raised in Mexico’s state of Guerrero. I experienced Mexico’s traditions firsthand. Specifically related to Chilapa de Álvarez, the town I grew up in, such as the Fiesta del día del Señor San José in which a procession passes through the Colonia I lived in. The streets are filled with colorful banners, and the ground is decorated with dyed sawdust in beautiful patterns.
Leaving Mexico and, thus, traditions, friends, and family was difficult. The supportive community network that I found at school and within SAF allowed me to accomplish multiple goals in my academic career. Because of the gratitude I feel towards the community and SAF, I decided to join Solidaridad.
I want to pursue a career in medicine, and thus I would like to have a better understanding of the disparities that the farmworker community faces in health care. I am excited to gain advocacy skills that I could use in my healthcare career. This would allow me to become a proactive activist and find the correct way to support the farmworker community. However, the excitement that I feel about joining the Solidaridad program is great, but I do have a fear. I will have to be a speaker and a leader with Solidaridad. I am not a great public speaker, but I would do my best, and I do look forward to bettering myself by being out of my comfort zone. I am excited about the opportunity to be part of Solidaridad.