My mother had to leave her parents and siblings in Ecuador to give my older brother, Christian a better life. My mom was pregnant of Christian and thats what motivated her in leaving because she didn't want my brother to have to go through the same struggles that she had to go through as a child. My parents decided to come to the U.S in seek of new opportunities. Right before my mom left, her mother gave her a rosary that will protect her as she came to the U.S. When my parents came, they had to go through many struggles such as finding jobs, learning a new language and adapting to a new type of live style. Life was even harder because my mom was 7 months pregnant and so she couldn't work as much to help out my father. However, my mom never lost hope every night before they went to bed my parents would pray with the rosary. Days passed and still not any jobs. My parents were actually lucky because my uncle helped them out when they came. After many nights of praying my father found a job in construction that paid a good wage. However my mom never stopped praying with the rosary her mom gave her. Months passed and my older brother was finally born and in a healthy state and with no health problems. This object is important to me because it gives me hope and faith that there is always something better and to not give up.

– Ashley Clavijo

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant