GROW Scholar Spotlight: José Aristeo

At GROW, we believe that every bunch of bananas and papayas carries the potential to change lives, and that they do. Reading letters from our scholars and learning of their accomplishments makes it real. These are real kids whose life paths are taking a new direction thanks to the GROW Program.

From Humble Beginnings

The eldest child of a hardworking farming family, Aristeo grew up with responsibility on his shoulders and a dream of building a better future. A motivated boy, he began participating in program activities before officially receiving a GROW scholarship in 2014.

Once shy, Aristeo blossomed into a confident, responsible, and driven young man, earning the respect of his peers as a role model.

Passion for Agriculture

Aristeo chose to pursue his passion for agriculture, studying at the University of Colima. His dedication there let him to contribute to published research on sustainable banana cultivation, an area of deep personal and professional interest.

Perseverance in Action

Education was not an easy path. To help support his family, Aristeo balanced school with jobs in the fields and as a bricklayer. His dedication paid off and he landed a job as an agricultural drone operator which he secured even before graduating this year, applying cutting-edge technology to farming.

A Bright Future Ahead

Aristeo’s journey reflects the very heart of GROW: when education, opportunity, and perseverance come together, futures are transformed.

This GROW Month, we celebrate scholars like Aristeo, and the retailers, distributors, and shoppers who make these stories possible. Together, we are GROW-ing Impact.