Rosa

As told to Nathaniel Harrison, a RILA volunteer

I was raised in [my native country]. My life was very difficult. My family didn’t have many resources. I wanted to go to college and continue my studies. They didn’t have the money. I didn’t have anyone who could help me. 

[My home country] is a beautiful place, but there is a lot of violence even outside of the city. There are many bad people who do a lot of bad things, especially to women. Women suffer a lot from violent people. The police don’t help or listen. It’s not like here in the United States when something happens, and they come right away. [There], the police don’t come. They don’t care about protecting people. My brother was attacked – he was assaulted. I was afraid. I decided to come to the United States because I was scared it was going to happen to me.

RILA has been helping me a lot. They have provided me with a work authorization. When others come and they don’t get this, they suffer.

It’s been difficult for me – working and studying. I can only work when I don’t have school. It’s not much money. I pay rent. I pay my own cellphone. I buy my own food. I really miss my family. I miss my parents, brothers and sisters. I’m sad because I cannot see them. It’s my first time living without them. But, I’m busy. I’m in high school and I work. If I had to pay for legal services, I never could’ve gone to school. I knew that someone was helping me. I knew I had to study, and someday I could help the community. 

I’m happy to stay here in the United States. It is safe and there are opportunities for young people like me to get an education. I’m so grateful for RILA. I’m excited. I’ll be graduating from high school in June. Then I’ll go to college. I want to become a nurse. I don’t have many words, but I can say thank you, thank you, thank you.

*Client’s name has been changed to protect our client’s privacy.

Rosa says she misses her parents who inspire her to pursue her education.