Hello, my name is Erickson Bermudez. 

I am 22 years old and I was born in Livingston, Guatemala, where I currently reside. I consider myself to be very much like every other young person everywhere in the world, brimming with hopes and aspirations, so I thank you for taking an interest in my story and my journey. This is truly the first time that I have presented a personal story about my passion for maritime life. It is also the first time that I have explored ways of expressing how this passion and my vocation springs from my personal connection to the people and landscapes of Livingston and the Caribbean, past and present. I truly hope you’ll watch the video, even if you don’t speak Spanish. I’ve created it to introduce myself from my beautiful, place of origin, and to invite you to collaborate with me as I pursue my dreams.

Vea el video, por favor! (Y el texto completo de mi discurso en Español queda por abajo.)

My immediate goal is to raise $850 to participate in an apprenticeship at Sea. As you’ll see in my video, my larger goals of contributing meaningfully and inspiring other young people arise from the connections that I have to my community. . .and that my community, the Garifuna people of La Buga, has to the Sea.  

Below you’ll find a summary of my presentation and my budget narrative (translated by my friend and mentor), and further along, you'll find the full text of my video presentation as I composed it in Spanish.  

Summary – El Resumen - “Mi pasión por la mar es mi herencia cultural.” 

In my studies to date, I have earned a mid-level certificate in Accounting, and through vocational school and formal apprenticeships, I acquired further technical competencies in carpentry, tailoring, welding and more specialized accounting. My eye has always been on pursuing a career on the high seas, as my immediate predecessors—that is, my grandfathers, my uncles, and my ancestors have always done. At this point, my next step is to embark as an apprentice on a cargo ship.

Specific Request – Funds & Sharing My Campaign

• I need to raise money for passage on a cargo ship, which will be arranged by the port master in Livingston and an agency in Puerto Tomas. Through prior work, I have raised the amount needed to finish my studies, be placed on the list for ship work, and I invested in this campaign.* All my expenses are outlined precisely in my budget section.
• I am grateful for any and all kinds of support. If you are unable to contribute monetarily to my campaign, you can always help by spreading the message. Thank you!
• Otras formas en las que puedes ayudar - Si no puedes colaborar en el aspecto materia, todavía me puedes apoyar! Pídale a los amigos que difundan la campaña y que generen eco. Gracias.