A bridge to new opportunities for the 97 new graduates of Fe y Alegría Milano

Ninety-seven Latin American students celebrated in Milan the achievement of the Diploma of the Republic of Ecuador, officially recognized in Italy as equivalent to a secondary school diploma.

An important milestone, the result of the IRFEYAL – Fe y Alegría Milano program, designed for young people and adults eager to build a better future through education.

The new graduates – 88 Peruvians, 4 Ecuadorians, 2 Venezuelans, 1 Argentine, 1 Bolivian, and 1 Salvadoran – embody the richness of a cultural mosaic that has found in Italy a new home and new opportunities for growth. Sixty-four percent are women, and the average age is 23: a figure that reflects the strength and resilience of a generation facing sacrifices and challenges with determination.

The educational path, organized through a blended model with weekend classes, allows students to balance study, work, and family life. Each diploma awarded does not simply mark the end of a school cycle but opens the doors to university, employment, and real social integration.

Ada’s testimony, Mejor Egresada
A symbol of hope and commitment is the story of Ada, a 20-year-old Peruvian student living in Turin, awarded as Mejor Egresada. For an entire year, every weekend, she traveled the Turin-Milan route to attend classes: “What pushed me forward was the desire to surpass myself and open a path full of opportunities. At IRFEYAL I found a real family that welcomed me with affection and gave me an education with values that I will always carry with me”.

Ada dreams of studying Biology at the University of Turin to give back to society what she has received. Her experience mirrors many other stories: young people who see in education the key to a future of dignity and inclusion.

A school that welcomes and transforms
“Each diploma tells a unique story. Seeing our students overcome obstacles and reach this milestone is a source of great pride. It is a privilege to accompany them step by step into their future,” said Kessia Chamba, Administrative Coordinator of IRFEYAL – Fe y Alegría Milano.

Thanks to an accessible educational approach based on trust, listening, and mutual support, Fe y Alegría Milano proves to be a powerful tool for inclusion, capable of giving hope to those who wish to start over and rediscover their potential.

A network that supports and multiplies impact
The ceremony was attended by representatives of institutions and the Latin American community, including Juan Carlos Castrillón, Consul General of Ecuador in Milan, Marco Casas, Consul General of Peru in Milan, and Diana De Marchi, City Councilor of Milan.

The value of this network was highlighted by Fr. Florin Silaghi SJ, National Director of Fe y Alegría Italy: “Today’s success is the result of a shared commitment between the Fondazione Gesuiti Educazione, the Istituto Leone XIII, the International Federation of Fe y Alegría, IRFEYAL Ecuador, diplomatic institutions, the Municipality of Milan, and local organizations such as Fondazione Cariplo. This network ensures educational pathways that become true bridges to new opportunities, enabling students of all ages to express their potential and contribute to building a more inclusive, supportive, and just society”.

Fe y Alegría: education and social promotion
Fe y Alegría is a Movement for Popular Education and Social Promotion promoted by the Society of Jesus, currently present in 22 countries. In Italy, it operates through its centers in Milan, Genoa, and Rome, with the mission of providing quality educational opportunities to those in vulnerable situations, in the conviction that education is the most effective tool for human and social advancement.