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“Maka-Dios, Maka-Tao, Makalikasan at Makabansa” (FILIPINO) “For the Love of God, people, nature and country.” 

When we left the Philippines, we carried more than a suitcase. We carried with us the weight of our dreams and the reality of a life marked by poverty.  

Back home, we didn’t wake up to luxury; we woke up to the sound of struggle. I saw my parents’ skipping meals so my siblings and I could eat. I saw some children walking miles barefooted to attend overcrowded schools, and neighbors working tirelessly for wages that could barely buy a sack of rice. But even the hardship, we held into hope like it was the air we breathed.  

Everything changed when my mom was given an opportunity to come to the United States as a teacher. Her passion for education and her dedication to sharing her knowledge opened a door – not just for her, but for me and my siblings too. I watched her leave the comfort of home, not just to teach, but to grow, to serve, and to inspire others on the other side of the world. That was the first spark. 

We experienced some challenging situations to get here. We had to get several documents ready before we go to the United States, but we couldn’t get them all at once; we had to do them little by little. We also needed to have an interview and wait for a few days for the announcement of a decision on our visas. My family and I were just hoping that the visas would be approved this time because we had also tried this interview many times before, and, unfortunately, we always got rejected. That’s why in the Philippines life is not easy. Not all Filipino people can get approved for a visa and not all people there have jobs. The Philippines is full of poverty, but even though it’s hard to live there, we never lost our capacity to enjoy the memories with our loved ones.  

When we got accepted to migrate to the United States, it felt like the world cracked open and whispered, “Go!” So, we went with a borrowed suitcase, barely enough money to get by, and a heart full of fear and hope tangled together.  

I didn’t understand the culture. I didn’t know anyone. I missed home so badly it hurt. I got a part-time job so my family could afford groceries. I made many mistakes too like getting lost. There were nights I questioned if I’d made the right decision. Nights where I almost gave up but each time I fell, I remembered why I came here in the United States. And every struggle reminded me of why I was here – to give my family a chance at a life they never dared to imagine back home. So, my siblings could focus on their education without worrying about money or food. And today as I stand on this American soil, I know this journey isn’t just about personal success. It’s about proving that no matter where you come from or how humble your beginnings are, the power of hope, sacrifice, and perseverance can turn even the faintest spark into a blazing light for others to follow. 

 Always remember to work hard, and when you succeed, remember where you came from – because that is where true Greatness begins. “Thank you & Salamat” 

-Louise