Thirty-five young students from the communities of Pacayacu and Dureno have just been awarded high school scholarships.

Tucked away in northeastern Ecuador, right where the Amazon rainforest brushes up against the Colombian border, are the parishes of Dureno and Pacayacu. Since 2022, Tecpetrol’s local team has been running the Roberto Rocca Secondary School Scholarships, a Techint Group initiative that shines a spotlight on students’ hard work and academic achievement, opening doors to brighter futures.

This year’s call for applications drew an impressive 126 hopefuls. In the end, the Pacayacu Educational Unit took home 30 scholarships, while the Dureno Educational Unit celebrated five well-deserved awards.

“Scholarships motivate young people to keep their grades up and really engage with their studies. We’re also seeing families place more value on making sure their kids stay in school, which is so important in rural areas where dropout rates are high,” said Francisco Anaguano, Workover Lead Company Representative, who joined this year’s awards ceremony.

This annual recognition of merit and effort has already become a tradition at both schools. Each year, students work hard to earn top marks and secure a scholarship spot. “We’re seeing young people raise the bar in their education as they’re putting in more and more effort to apply,” said Darwin Vega, CORE Specialist, who coordinates the scholarship program with the schools.

The scholarship awards ceremony is a joint effort between Tecpetrol and the schools. “Every year we leave with memorable stories,” said Francisco Do Pico, Country Director. “I’m always touched by the dedication of the school authorities and students, from the warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to the incredible organization, the decorations, the sound, the food, and even the symbolic gifts that reflect the spirit of the region.”

“Scholarships make a real difference: you can see this in the gratitude of teachers and families,” he said. “They’re also key for the company because education is such a central value in the Techint Group’s culture as a true driver for progress.”

Beyond the financial boost from the scholarships, Tecpetrol also backs other local initiatives. One is the Roberto Rocca Technical Gene program, which gives secondary-school students hands-on technical training. Another is Women Who Inspire, a project that brings together voices from Tecpetrol, Petroecuador, and the wider community to share stories and career paths, showing the important role girls and women can play in technical fields. “These secondary-school scholarships aren’t a stand-alone initiative, they’re part of a bigger picture,” Darwin explained. “Taken as a whole, these educational programs open the way for these students to aim for higher education scholarships in the future.”

However, the scheme faces a big challenge: proving to young people that a different future is possible. “Many kids get pulled into drug trafficking: it’s becoming more common, and it offers a lot of money in a place that has major economic needs,” explained Santiago Padilla, Production & Facilities Manager. “Our challenge is to educate them and steer them away from that path.”

Every child and teenager has the right to opportunities that help them grow their skills and shape their future. In this region, the Roberto Rocca Scholarships have become a yearly tradition, eagerly awaited by families and schools alike. “The key is to change their future,” Santiago said. “If we can make a positive difference in even one young person’s life, then it’s all worth it.”