Maria Ofelia Enriquez - Leaving your loved ones, is leaving a part of you

Yes I remember. It was a long time ago, and it was a very hard goodbye because I was leaving my two children and my mother, the people I love the most. It was so hard leaving my family behind, I was leaving a piece of me there, and I knew I would not be seeing them again for a long time.

The trip from Honduras was very hard, difficult and very dangerous.The first time was in 2004, it took me a month and a half to get to Houston. It was very difficult.

On arrival to the United States, the thing that strikes you the most is knowing that you are setting foot on American soil and that you are finally safe from so many dangers.  The biggest impression is that you are going to find a better life for you and your family.

The best thing that has happened to me in this country is having a baby.The worst thing has been being without my other children.

Because of my mothers passing, I had to go back to my country. I took my two-year-old child and went back to my country because the doctor had given my mom only two days to live… So I arrived and was able to be with her for two more months. I watched my mom die. Afterward, I came back to the US..

I would love to have my daughter here with me, and my granddaughter, I have not met her in person yet, just by phone and videoconference…

Overall it has been worthwhile, because of my children’s education. I have a 12-year-old American son who has a better future here, studying… I also have a 23-year-old son here with me, and he has a better job than he could possibly have had in Honduras.  It is also worth my while because I am able to support my daughter. She is finishing her civil engineering degree…These are the achievements I have gained by being here in this country.