“I’m so grateful for all the tools that Cumorah is giving us, also for the mentors who every week help us with their advice and with their support in our dreams and goals. I’m grateful for all the knowledge that we are gaining that helps us to become the leaders that we can become if we increase and trust in our potential.”
— Danitza Taboada, Peru
The Driving Force to Give Gratitude
Gratitude is more than a simple thank you. It’s a powerful lens through which we see growth, learning, and opportunity. At Cumorah Academy, this idea isn’t just spoken about—it’s lived every single day.
Students from all over the world arrive in the Czech countryside with dreams that range from launching businesses to becoming community leaders, learning English, or building self-confidence. What many of them don’t expect is the deep transformation that begins when they learn to give gratitude.
For Danitza Taboada from Peru, gratitude isn’t a passing emotion. It’s a deep acknowledgment of how mentorship, leadership training, and community support are shaping her future. Her words reflect the heart of what makes Cumorah special: an environment where giving and receiving go hand in hand, and where personal transformation begins with appreciation.
A Campus Where Students Learn to Give Gratitude
Walking through Cumorah’s campus early in the morning, you’ll notice something unique. Students gather for breakfast not just to eat but to connect. They share stories, talk about their goals, and offer encouragement. It’s in these everyday moments that gratitude quietly takes root.
What truly defines the academy, however, is its strong mentorship culture. Students had the chance to be mentored each week by a pair of mentors who met with them weekly—not just to talk about grades or career plans but to help them grow as people. These mentors ask questions, offer advice, share experiences, and sometimes simply listen. Their presence builds confidence and inspires trust.
And through this process, students begin to understand what it means to give gratitude—not only for what they receive, but for the chance to grow, serve, and uplift others.
Education That Inspires, Not Just Instructs
At the heart of the Cumorah experience is a unique educational model that blends academic learning with personal development. Students aren’t just memorizing facts; they’re learning how to lead, communicate, and contribute.
Core programs include:
- Leadership & Personal Development: Where students learn to lead with integrity, understand their strengths, and build confidence. In this course, Public Speaking is included, providing a safe space to find one’s voice, overcome fear, and develop communication skills that last a lifetime.
- Sales Bootcamp: This course includes learning the best strategies for negotiation and building strong connections with future clients as part of its curriculum.
- Business & Entrepreneurship: Hands-on workshops and mentorship help students turn ideas into viable projects.
- English Certification Programs: For those seeking to enhance their language skills and unlock international opportunities.
Every class is designed with a purpose: to empower students to discover their potential. And when they do, they naturally learn to give gratitude—for their progress, for their mentors, and for the chance to become who they’re meant to be.
Give Gratitude: The Heart of Mentorship and Leadership
Many students describe their mentors as the “game-changers” of their time at Cumorah. They’re not just academic guides—they’re trusted allies, encouragers, and role models.
Through mentorship, students learn to:
- Reflect on their growth and recognize their progress.
- Set meaningful goals and work toward them with purpose.
- See their struggles as opportunities for learning rather than failure.
And this gratitude doesn’t stop with mentors. It extends to classmates, teachers, and the broader community. When one student succeeds, everyone celebrates. When someone struggles, others step in to lift them. This shared sense of support builds an atmosphere where everyone learns to give gratitude every single day.
A Cycle of Giving Back
Gratitude doesn’t end when students graduate. It begins a cycle of giving. Many alumni return to mentor new students, contribute to scholarship funds, or build projects that give hope to others in their communities. Others go on to lead businesses, teach, volunteer, or serve in ways that reflect the lessons they learned at Cumorah Academy.
The impact of learning to give gratitude is exponential. When one student is empowered through mentorship and education, their growth inspires dozens more. Danitza’s gratitude today could be the seed of hope for someone else tomorrow.
Give Gratitude, Inspire Hope
At its core, the Giving Hope Campaign is about more than raising funds. It’s about believing in people, their potential, their dreams, and their capacity to lead with gratitude and purpose.
Giving Hope is Cumorah Academy’s annual scholarship fund campaign, where we invite individuals and partners worldwide to invest in the rising generation.
In this Thanksgiving season, our minds shift to the things we have in life and we are grateful for. We recognize the opportunities we received from people who believed in us, and we are moved by a desire to extend that same opportunity to others. This is the heart of Giving Hope.
Why Giving Matters
Behind every success story at Cumorah Academy is someone who chose to give — whether it was time, mentorship, or a scholarship.
Danitza’s story is one of them.
Thanks to a scholarship, she was able to study, grow, and discover her potential as a leader. Like many of our students, she came from a place where opportunities like this are rare. But because someone believed in her, she now believes in herself — and she’s ready to give back.
That’s what happens when we Give Gratitude. Your support doesn’t just fund tuition — it fuels transformation. It helps students become confident, purpose-driven leaders who go on to impact their families, communities, and countries.
Your contribution:
- Creates access to world-class education and leadership training.
- Connects students with mentors who help shape their future.
- Builds a global network of grateful, faith-centered young leaders.
When you Give Gratitude, you’re not only acknowledging what you’ve received — you’re passing it forward.
Be Part of the Change
Danitza’s journey was made possible because someone decided to give. Now, you can do the same.
By donating, sharing, or simply spreading this message, you help more students continue their journey of growth and impact.
- Donate today to give more young people access to life-changing education.
- Share this story with someone who believes in the power of giving.
- Join a community that turns gratitude into action.
When we Give Gratitude, we don’t just change one life — we create ripples that transform communities, countries, and futures.
Together, we can Give Gratitude and build a world full of hope.
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
