Dreams in the making: Introducing Our New Cohort

By: Giselle Ortega

We are excited to welcome a new cohort to MAKE Projects: Fatima, Stephania, and Maryam. Each new group brings its own energy, goals, and experiences, and this cohort is no different. As we sat down for interviews, it was clear that they approached the conversation with thoughtfulness and determination. At first, the group appeared a bit reserved, which is completely natural when meeting new people and speaking in a language you are still learning. Despite the challenge of communicating in English, they did their best to share what was on their minds and talk about their hopes for the future. Their willingness to step out of their comfort zone and express themselves reflects the dedication they have toward improving their English and growing through this experience. Through our conversations, it became clear that each member of this cohort brings unique aspirations, strengths, and stories that will contribute to the MAKE Projects community.

Fatima shared a journey that has already taken her across different parts of the United States. She arrived in the U.S. in 2022, first spending three months in New Mexico before moving to California. Alongside adjusting to a new country, Fatima is also celebrating exciting milestones in her personal life. She is currently preparing for her engagement and happily planning the celebration. Looking toward the future, she hopes to attend college in Alaska and eventually become a dermatologist. Fatima joined MAKE Projects after hearing about it from her cousin, seeing it as an opportunity to strengthen her English while being part of a supportive community. She describes her strengths as time management and teamwork, and says that since joining MAKE she has felt welcomed by a team that is respectful, joyful, and encouraging. One surprising detail she shared is her creative hobby—she enjoys writing children’s books.

Stephania recently arrived in the United States in 2024 with the goal of finding opportunities while continuing to develop her English. Her interest in MAKE Projects began when someone from the organization visited her school to speak about the program. Inspired by what she heard, Stephania decided to apply. Through the program, she hopes to gain experience and strengthen skills such as English and farming. Stephania hopes to pursue a career in nursing one day, and she believes communication is one of her strongest qualities. When describing the environment at MAKE, she emphasized how welcoming and positive it feels, explaining that it is a place where people are encouraged to learn something new every day and grow together. Outside of the program, Stephania enjoys cooking and especially likes preparing Asian cuisine.

Maryam is currently focused on improving her English as she prepares for her future goal of attending college. After arriving in the United States in 2024, she applied to MAKE Projects because she wanted to gain new experiences and be part of a supportive learning environment. Maryam shared that time management is one of her personal strengths and something that helps her stay organized while balancing responsibilities. She described MAKE Projects as a place filled with welcoming, caring people who truly work together as a team. Outside of the program, Maryam enjoys cooking, though she modestly joked that she does not consider herself the best cook yet.