The University of Life
30/09/2008
27-year-old Daisy is an energetic young woman who has a successful career in the engineering field that makes her travel between Italy and Honduras. She was raised at the SOS Children's Village Tegucigalpa.
Daisy joined the SOS Children's Village Tegucigalpa in 1978, only eight months-old. At that moment, there were 14 children in her family house, but she learned that there were no differences between biological siblings and "SOS brothers and sisters" as her SOS mother taught her that she loved everyone in the same degree.
Daisy says that she was very happy as a child, learning to share and fight for what she wanted. She was a restless girl who loved sports, music and what she calls "practical things". Although she played basketball and volleyball, her passion was athletics, with which she won several medals. She can never forget what her mother used to tell her: "Daisy, the medal has a meaning, but you are the gold in it."
Not only did she excel in sports, but also in music and dance. She learned to play the clarinet and flute, but she always wished to play other instruments, such as the piano. She also actively participated in the village's dance group.
Studying hard
About her academic performance, she remembers spending long hours at the village library. Finishing elementary school with honours, Daisy started high school, just as her two role models, Lesbia, her biological sister, and Walter, her "SOS brother", did. Lesbia graduated in Business Administration, and Walter now runs a TV programme in the United States. Of course, Daisy wanted to be as good as them.
High school was a tough change in regard to elementary school, but Daisy had her mind set in becoming a teacher. In Honduras, it is possible to get a technical degree as a teacher when you graduate from high school. Daisy did so.
It was also during high school that she personally met one of her sponsors, Carlo di Nunno, who has been such a positive influence in her life that she calls him "father" sometimes. "He has been a great advisor for me," she explains.
Daisy finally took the decision to go to the university to study industrial engineering, as she always enjoyed "practical and analytical things." "That was the toughest time in my life, but thanks to my mother, brothers and sisters, and Mr. di Nunno, I am what I am now, a very optimistic fighter," explains Daisy.
When she was in her second university year, the time came to leave the children's village for a more independent life at a youth facility. She later graduated as an engineer, and then obtained a scholarship to continue studying.
Working towards the future
"When I turned 18, Mr. di Nunno invited me to visit him and his family in Italy. I was so nervous! It was the first time I was leaving my country, but as soon as I met Mr. di Nunno's wife and Sofia and Michele, their children, I knew that they were an extension of my family. During that visit, I also met Pope John Paul II; that completely changed my life."
The next year was also one of the hardest for Daisy, as her mother died after 27 years of working for SOS Children. She goes on, "I remember that was my last term at the university, but with all the pain I felt, I faced it and approved all my exams."
Daisy graduated and made her traineeship in a factory. The money that she was paid at the factory was used to prepare her thesis and pay her graduation.
A little later, Mr. di Nunno asked her to work in his company in Italy for six months. Now, a few years later, Daisy is the representative of Mr. di Nunno's machinery and equipment company in Latin America, for the engineering department.
However, Daisy's activities also include supporting SOS Children, both in Italy and Honduras. While Mr. di Nunno and his family are very active in supporting SOS Children Italy, sometimes Daisy joins them in fundraising activities for SOS Children Honduras, as well. She once even had the opportunity to visit the Italian President and talk to him about SOS Children.
"I have met many businessmen, and I am glad I can share my knowledge with companies here in Honduras and Central America, but what I appreciate the most is the opportunity to learn in this university of life," Daisy concludes.
Relevant Countries: Honduras.