Roy Gari Flores Gutiérrez

Roy Gari Flores Gutiérrez (16) was born in Andamarca, a remote town in Ayacucho, Peru. Roy watched classmates slowly give up on their dreams — not for lack of talent, but because they believed the world ended at the mountains surrounding their town. That realization never left him.

Roy founded Wayra: Rising Scholars to close the information gap around scholarships and international programs for adolescents in underserved communities. Through mentorship, peer-learning groups, and opportunity-sharing networks, Wayra has directly supported more than 300 students across 7 regions of Peru.

Beyond his own initiative, Roy has volunteered with several youth and educational organizations — including Munay Perú, STEMvolution, RIAC, and Ubuntu — helping run learning sessions, leadership activities, and STEM outreach programs.

Roy has also built a strong digital presence, reaching over 2,000 people by sharing educational opportunities and mentorship resources online. His LinkedIn posts, seen by his 800+ connections, have generated more than 13,300 impressions, connecting students and young professionals to the opportunities he once wished he’d had.

With a small but dedicated network behind him, Roy is proving that where you’re born doesn’t have to decide how far you can go.