Now that I am grown, the roles have reversed her. She has become my daughter, my driving force to keep going and achieve my dreams. She is a great example of entrepreneurship, leadership, and unwavering courage. I love her with all my heart, and I am so proud to be her daughter.
Neykari de Jesús Barrios Issele TP in Colombia
Well, my journey as a mother has not been easy, as I had to emigrate from my country due to the difficult economic situation at that time. I had to leave with my youngest son in my arms, leaving my other children behind in Venezuela, and set out on an uncertain path, not knowing what could happen. Upon arriving in a country where I didn’t know any customs or the cul- ture, I had to keep going with my son in my arms, leaving behind many mixed emotions and starting a new life. Once in Colombia, I faced countless situations where giving up was not an option, because I wasn’t alone — I had my youngest son in my arms. I had to walk from Cucuta to Bogotá, a journey of six long days, arriving with pain in my feet and back from walking so much. Despite the pain, I had to find a way to provide for my six-year-old son and gather the strength not to faint along the way. When I arrived in Bogotá, a family member helped me for the first few days while I looked for a stable job. From there, I had to walk through many places, looking for work and trying to earn our daily bread. With a full-time job, I had to teach my son to fend for himself, as I left him in the care of someone else. He had to learn how to bathe himself, eat by himself, and go to the bathroom on his own. I went through many jobs because I didn’t have the legal documents to obtain a stable job with benefits. After almost three years of hard work, I finally managed to get my work permit and secure a stable job, which allowed me to provide an education for my son. After everything we’ve been through, I arrived at TP, where I’ve been working for eight months now. My son is in a stable school, and I’m try- ing to give him the best education possible, hoping he makes the best decisions for his life.
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EXAMPLE OF RESILIENCE
LETTERS TO MOTHERS
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