Success Stories
A.A. Spring 2008 Student
March 31, 2008
Hello! To all the people present in this room.
I came from a small town named Mission, Texas. Last semester I tried to go back to high school almost a month and a-half after school had started the reason was that there were many dramatic changes in my life. I got married, wand it was my first years as a migrant worker. From the beginning I was having problems with school counselors because their opinions, I was going to struggle because I was pregnant. Therefore, they did not want to provide me with the classes I needed and without my consent send out my information to a school only with pregnant women, which I refused to attend. Me being on my first trimester I had many appointments and struggling with a ride I had to miss a whole day of school. This got to the point that I had missed more than half of the days enrolled, but one thing sure I was not behind in my studies. With this situation was to withdraw from school and attend the following year.
It is estimated that there are more than 3 million migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the United States. Farmworkers travel throughout the U.S. serving as the backbone for a multi-billion dollar agricultural industry. 84% of all Farmworkers speak Spanish. (NCFH) National Center for Health, Inc.
My husband was ready to leave to Michigan State to continue on with his education. He started telling me of this program called HEP which sounded interesting. I thought about it and with the help of this program I would finish a lot faster instead of waiting to take bigger steps on my education. Unlike, the other classmates I wasn't looked for to attend the HEP program it was me that looked for it. 51% of Latinas get pregnant before the age of 20 and only 32% get a diploma. They once told me that I being pregnant and having a baby was going to be difficult. It was going to be hard to go back to school because I had to work. Those words and the situations I go by do not bring me down. They actually get me motivated on the things I want to pursue and prove the people wrong. It is about time those percentage increase there might be more than half with a diploma, but it can also go up to a 100%. I am one of those girls trying to fight for a change. My pregnancy just made me a stronger, mature, and willing to go forward person.
My other great motivation is my parents because I will be the first in my family to get a diploma and god willing will be the first to step into college. My motivations grew stronger when the doors of the HEP program get opened for me. It's amazing how time went really fast. Words sound good but when you live something it feels way better. I say this because life has taught me small things that make me great. My experience here is indescribable because I've lived many things I can't find words to. It's incredible how you can walk through a corridor full of offices with opened doors. Each open door is full of people willing to help you, with instructors and people reaching out their hand, not leaving behind the tutors and classmates that are there when needed.
I'm really proud of myself and the rest of my classmates because we did it. Without the help of HEP none of us would be wearing a gown. I learned that life is full of opportunities and is never too late to have an education. I'm thankful for the people that believed in me and helped me out they will always be part. I hope that all that parents and family members present are proud of what their loved ones had accomplished. Unluckily, no one from my family will be able to accompanion me this special day, but I know, but I know they are really proud of me and accomplishments. This situation doesn't get me sad at all because I learned to feel at home with all the people that surround me and consider them like my family as I got to trust and get close to them. Once again, I would like to thank the HEP program for helping me in taking another step and hope they get to help many people out there that want it. Hopefully, god heard my prayers and I'll be headed back to Texas with what made me proud on my hands.
A.V. Spring 2008 Student
March 31, 2008
Es dificil el hablar de HEP y querer resumirlo en un texto no tanto porque sea mucho o poco. La realidad es que no encuentro palabras que puedan profundizar o describir toda esta experiencia vivida.
Esto es lo que puedo resumir. Espero y les guste:
Antes de venir a HEP, yo era una persona que tenia sus metas y convicciones, pero los veia muy lejos e inalcanzables. De pronto conoci al Sr. Santiago, un hombre muy humilde y sencillo. En sus ojos logre ver esa confianza y seguridad al hablar que solo en pocos hombres he visto fue tajante al decir que no es una oportunidad, es una bendicion que hay que vivirla.
It is estimated that there are more than 3 million migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the United States. Farmworkers travel throughout the U.S. serving as the backbone for a multi-billion dollar agricultural industry. 84% of all Farmworkers speak Spanish. (NCFH) National Center for Health, Inc.
Algo que tambien me inspiro ha venir fue el aprender nuevas tecnicas para ser mejor persona, sin cambiar lo que soy, obtener el GED y el saber que cada obstaculo que se nos presente es para mejorar la condicion de uno. Al llegar aqui con solo dos maletas bajo el brazo y una cabeza repleta de ideas en la cual no existe la palabra "fracaso". Con solo mi espiritu, que no se dobla ni aunque la vida se ria ha carcajadas esperando que me canse de luchar, mi espiritu sigue alli vigente y radiante. Estando aqui tuve el placer de conocer excelentes e increibles personas, quienes sirven y ayudan a otros, sin esperar nada ha cambio, eso reforzo mas mi inspiracion. Quisiera nombrar algunos, aunque para mi todos son importantes. Porque todos hicieron posible esta travesia. De alli aprendi que todas las personas son importantes, pero se merecen su atencion y cuidado, aunque solo nos digan "hola". Pero tengo que resaltar a Luis, Karla, Maria, Bruce, Jackie y Paul quienes estuvieron con nosotros de principio a fin. Apoyandonos con gotas de esfuerzo, ideas, consejos y lo mas significativo para mi fueron sus sonrisas. Ya que con solo una sonrisa puedes cambiar tu destino y puedes mover cosas que considerabas imposibles. Debido a esto, sus sonrisas las llevare siempre en mi corazon. Es increible ver estas personas que dieron todo de si, para mantenernos felices, sin esperar nada ha cambio solo el beneficio de extranos.
Dia a dia aprendi que estas personas estan preocupandose por ti, aunque tu no lo notes. Esto es lo que hace una familia. Familia! porque esto es lo que son para mi una familia!
Debido ha estos actos deduzco lo siguiente: "La grandeza de este programa se encuentra en cada una de las personas que lo conforman."
Y es asi como plasmo estas letras y desahogo el sentimiento que me causo esta experiencia. Que quizas a diferencia de los demas no le puse tanto esfuerzo, pero a cada detalle el puse el corazon.
Agradezco de antemano toda la paciencia, comprension, dedicacion y los esfuerzos brindados aqui.
Asi termino esta etapa dandoles las gracias a todos ellos y con la mano en el corazon les digo: GRACIAS HEP Y GRACIAS POR SER COMO SON!
En cuanto ha mis companeros solo me queda decirles esto:
Nunca olvides tus suenos, porque donde quiera que estes y haciendo lo que hagas, siempre existe la posibilidad de que lo realices o lo alcances!