Migrant Student's Goals Education, a Better Life

By Maria Sifuentez

My life has not been the same as other people's lives. I was not raised by loving parents nor have been offered opportunities for a different and better future.

My dad passed away in a car crash here in the United States when I was 1 year old. He was with some friends, and they were drunk. Immediately after the crash, the car caught fire and, unfortunately, my dad did not survive.

When my dad died, my mother was left on her own with three children, my two brothers and me. She felt lonely and desperate, and she started drinking a lot, totally neglecting us. Then my aunt Josefina, my dad's sister, took me to her home, but my two brothers stayed with my mom.

I lived with my aunt until I was 12. She and her family became my family. They helped me with everything I needed.

In 2004 my aunt had problems with her husband, Socorro, and decided to leave to Texas. I stayed in México with her husband because my cousins had already gotten married. One day my uncle told me I could not stay with him anymore because our neighbors would start talking.

The same month my uncle Juan, my mom's brother, came to Mexico for a visit, and Socorro asked him to take me with him to the U.S. Socorro explained that I could not stay any longer in his home and that my mom was not able to take me back because she had alcohol problems.

It was a very difficult situation, so my uncle decided to take me with him to the U.S. My uncle talked to my mom about it, and she agreed and signed legal papers for me to live with him.

The day we were leaving, I was very sad because I was leaving the place I lived in for so many years. I took my suitcase and slowly walked down the street to say good bye. I burst into tears. I thought, "I won't ever see them again." That evening we left town and my heart broke in pieces.

After two days on the road we finally arrived at the border. My uncle was frightened. He said to me, "If they find out you are not my daughter, they will take my truck away from me and I will be sent to jail." Thank God everything went fine, and I crossed the border using my cousin's papers.

Four days later we arrived in Yakima. All was so different to me, even though my uncle's house reminded me of the house where I spent my childhood in Mexico.

In September 2004, I enrolled in seventh grade. I was very excited, but when I got on the school bus I started feeling butterflies in my tummy. I was very nervous because no one on the bus spoke Spanish.

When my cousin and I got to school, she talked to someone in English and left.

I felt like crying when I was handed an exam in English. I did not understand even a word. Then I saw a girl taking the same exam, and I sat next to her and cheated the most I could. She did not seem to know a lot either, because she was cheating, too.

I told the school principal, "I am not speak English," the only English phrase I knew. He stared at me and said, "I speak little Spanish," then talked on the radio in English. Shortly after, a teacher, Ms Orozco, showed up.

She asked me, "How was the exam?" and told her the truth, that I had cheated. She stared at me, pointed her forefinger and said, "Miss, you are going to be in my class."

Next day I attended Ms Orozco's class; she was a math and science teacher. The same day I also attended Mrs. Ceja's English class. She only spoke English, and I found her class boring because I was not able to understand a word. I paid attention to her movements and tried to catch something, but I could not understand what she was saying.

Few days later I just gave up and I did not pay any attention to her, and started chatting with my classmates. She would try to attract my attention, and every time she shouted, I knew it was because of me, even though I did not have an idea what she had said.

I have had lots of challenges in my life, not only as a migrant student but personal ones. But somehow I have managed to overcome my personal challenges and keep trying to succeed.

It is difficult being a migrant student, but little by little I am getting use to it, and adapting myself to the new customs and lifestyle. I give my best shot at school in order to enhance my education.

Last year I didn't speak English at all, but I have learned a lot. Now I understand more, and I pay more attention to my classes. I would like to pursue my schooling after middle school, but I am in a very difficult position since I don't have a legal status in this country.

I am going to put a lot of effort on my studies and learn as much as possible. I hope my situation improves, and I have the opportunity to be someone and to help other people struggling as I have.