Two

He gave me an emerald. A small stone he found in the river, a token of gratitude. It wasn’t of the highest quality—certainly not something that could be made into jewelry—but it spoke volumes about the place Alejo comes from.

Alejandro, or Alejo as I called him, is a young man from a remote village in Colombia, a place where legal and illegal economies intertwine in complex and often unavoidable ways. In many rural and isolated areas of Colombia, economic survival is shaped by a mix of licit and illicit activities. For some, engaging in illegal activities is a means of survival; for others, it is an obligation, imposed by armed groups that dictate the region’s economic realities.

Where Alejo comes from, illegal mining is one such source of income. Emeralds represent a fleeting chance—a slim opportunity to escape, to buy land, to build a home, to leave for a better future. People from all over Colombia arrive in his village, clinging to the hope of finding a single, magnificent gemstone that could change their lives. They search the riverbanks, combing through rocks and sediment, chasing a dream that, for most, never materializes.

In this village, as in many parts of Latin America, livelihoods depend on natural resources. During my PhD field research, I was both fascinated and unsettled by the ways in which young people embodied an entrepreneurial spirit shaped by necessity. They raised chickens and pigs, bred fighting roosters, transported heavy timber logs. Money, for them, was more than just a means of survival; it was the the one thing that could turn their dreams into reality. Yet, as Rankin and Shakya (2008) argue, the belief in money as the ultimate enabler can sometimes hinder long-term community empowerment, discouraging investments in education and personal development. (I can’t take the academia out of me hahaha #Sorrynotsorry) Still, in these harsh realities, some young people believe in alternative pathways. Education, however difficult to access, can be a way out.

In December 2023, Alejo applied to a public university. He dreamed of becoming an electrical engineer, a profession that, to him, represented not only personal success but a way to uplift his community. When he was accepted with a scholarship designated for victims of Colombia’s armed conflict, it felt like the beginning of a new chapter. However, while his tuition and fees were covered, the scholarship did not account for the full costs of moving to a new city, paying for rent, food, utilities, and books. Faced with these financial burdens, Alejo considered abandoning his dream.

Alejo had always been a top student—consistently ranking among the best in his class. He tutored his peers, worked on local farms, and contributed to his family’s income. He had the discipline, the work ethic, and the drive. But sometimes, no matter how hard one works, systemic and financial barriers prove insurmountable.

When I met Alejo, I saw this harsh truth firsthand: talent and perseverance are not always enough. Determined to help, I reached out to my network, and together, over 20 people came together to raise enough money to cover several years of his education. Alejo also took on a part-time job, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his future. Yet, beyond financial struggles, Alejo faced something even harder: self-doubt. Growing up in an under-resourced school left him with academic gaps, particularly in algebra, calculus, and physics. These gaps made him question his place in the university, making him feel unworthy of the opportunity he had fought so hard for. Recognizing his struggles, Alejo sought a tutor, dedicating nights and weekends to studying, determined to catch up.

Many might see Alejo’s story as one of grit, perseverance, and resilience. And it is. But it is also a reminder of the deep structural inequalities that rural youth face. It is a call to rethink and reimagine the systems in which they grow; how we can make them more nurturing, more equitable, more hopeful.

If you want to know more about Alejo or support him click here https://gofund.me/8a3be647

Disclaimer: I used AI to improve grammar and writing of the post.