Not every story of transformation begins with a celebration.
Some begin with waiting.
Waiting for an interview.
Waiting for an acceptance letter.
Waiting for funding to come through.
Waiting for another semester, another chance, another opening.
At Adelante Mujer, we spend a lot of time in this in-between space. And while it may not always be visible, it is holy ground.
Recently, we celebrated an important milestone for Vilma and Melanie in Guatemala. Both young women have completed the first phase of their nursing education, earning their credentials as nursing technicians. This is no small achievement. Nursing education in Guatemala is rigorous, demanding, and deeply competitive. For Vilma and Melanie, this milestone represents years of discipline, sacrifice, and determination. And still — their journey is not over. They continue forward with two more years of study ahead, choosing again and again to keep going.
At the same time, two other young women in Guatemala are standing at the edge of a different threshold. They are preparing to begin medical school — one with an acceptance in hand, and the other waiting for final confirmation. These moments mark a profound turning point. Medical education opens doors not only for these women, but for their families and communities for generations to come. The difference between acceptance and waiting can mean the difference between two very different futures.
Meanwhile, in Nicaragua, the waiting looks different — and just as real.
Right now, more than 20 young women are waiting to see if they might be accepted into the Adelante Mujer program in a future semester. These are capable, determined women. Many are already studying. Many are working. All are hoping. Because of limited funding and limited spaces, not everyone can be accepted right away. For some, this means waiting another semester. For others, it means reapplying, interviewing again, and holding onto hope a little longer.
This is the reality of education rooted in excellence and equity: it is competitive, it is costly, and it requires patience.
But here is what we believe, deeply and without hesitation:
Waiting is not failure.
Waiting is not the end of the story.
Waiting is still movement.
At Adelante Mujer, we do not only walk with women at the finish line. We walk with them while they are gathering transcripts, preparing interviews, studying late into the night, and daring to believe that their future can be different. We walk with them when the answer is “not yet.” We walk with them when the dream still calls, even when the path feels long.
In a world that often measures worth by speed and outcomes, this work asks us to practice a different kind of love — one rooted in persistence, dignity, and faithful presence. Love that stays. Love that believes. Love that does not turn away when the road takes time.
This month, we are holding space for women in many places along the journey:
Women celebrating milestones.
Women beginning new chapters.
Women waiting, still hoping, still preparing.
Their stories are still being written.
Thank you for walking with them — not only in moments of arrival, but in the waiting that makes transformation possible.
An Invitation to Walk With Us
If this story speaks to you, we invite you to consider walking alongside these women.
Your support helps make waiting possible — covering tuition, books, transportation, and basic needs so that women can remain in school, prepare for interviews, and keep moving forward even when the path is long. Because of donors like you, a “not yet” does not become a dead end.
Every gift, in any amount, is an act of belief. An affirmation that these women’s dreams matter, that their education is worth investing in, and that their futures are still unfolding.
Thank you for being part of this story — for walking with women not only at moments of celebration, but in the quiet, courageous work of waiting.
If you’d like to support a student today, you can do so at
www.womanadvance.com/donate
Adelante, mujer. Forward, woman.
