Level 7
I am Free and Happy
by America Guardado
M
“Peace in Washington,” Digital photography. By
Shuhratjon Ahmadjonov.
y name is America. I am from El Salvador.
I came to the U.S. in early 2004. I didn’t
speak much English when I came. I had trouble
speaking and understanding my co-workers at
work. I was involved in an abusive relationship and
suffered from domestic violence for years.
I enrolled in a basic English class (ESL 2)
at Carlos Rosario School. I studied my level 1 in
L.A., California. Day by day my English got better.
I gained more confidence in myself. In November
2010 I made a decision to leave my abuser and
moved into a shelter for survivors of domestic
violence. I was in the shelter for three months.
At this time I took English and GED classes. I
never left the school. I didn’t have money, a job;
I didn’t have anything. Although it was hard to
come to class from the shelter, I never gave up
on my education.
After three years of classes and a couple tries to pass the test, on June 14th 2012 I
graduated with my GED. I had a class ring made with the School’s name and asked Sonia to
put the ring on my finger when I got my diploma. This day was very special for me.
In this moment I am very happy for the things I’ve achieved. I became a health promoter
at the Clinica del Pueblo helping other survivors of domestic violence. My next goal is to be a
certified nurse aide and work as a social worker. I think that nothing is impossible when you
really want it.
Teacher: Mittelholzer, EVE
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