I was born in Arequipa, Peru in 1994. I was the only daughter of a single mother. Growing up, my mother was my best friend, she was also the biggest inspiration and role model I ever had. She attended college full time as she wanted to be an educator, she ran our home, cooked, cleaned, helped me with homework, attended school functions...She did it all. One of her biggest passions was to work with people, specially children who came from communities in remote areas of Peru and single mothers who were being taken advantage by systemic oppressive powers, she studied their tongue language of Quechua and had begun to look into pursuing a law degree to eventually do Pro Bono work. She hand made this puppet to use as an educating tool with items around the house. This puppet has the traditional braids Peruvian indigenous women wear. My mother passed away when I was 10 years old, unfortunately I did not have family to stay with in my home country, my father unable to care for me gave me up for adoption. My grandparents, who had been living in the United States for over 20 years stepped up and soon I found myself packing a single suitcase and moving to America. This puppet handmade by my mother is one of a handful of belongings I have from my childhood, the home I left behind and the culture I carry with me. 

– Claudia Tinta

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant