Peruvian father, 46, finishes high school to fulfill promise to late son

At 46, Biondi Apolinario Alva has achieved a long-delayed goal: finishing secondary school. This accomplishment in Peru is not just a personal milestone but a step toward fulfilling a promise made after the tragic death of his son, Yoh Neo, last year at age 17.

His son's unfulfilled dream of attending the National University of Engineering (UNI) became Biondi's driving force. He enrolled in a distance learning program and juggled his studies with work, covering nearly 100 kilometers daily. Despite exhaustion, he persevered, remembering his purpose.

Now, with his secondary education certificate in hand, Biondi is preparing for UNI's entrance exams. His journey underscores the transformative power of education, offering a path for adults who had to interrupt their studies due to economic or family reasons. Centers like CEBA Fe y Alegría N.° 7 provide crucial alternatives for individuals seeking to continue their education later in life.

Biondi's determination to pursue higher education transforms personal loss into motivation. He aims to honor his son's memory by achieving a goal they both shared, demonstrating that it is always possible to start anew and pursue one's dreams.