“My mother was getting old and couldn’t work anymore. We never...

“My mother was getting old and couldn’t work anymore.  We never knew where our next meal was coming from.  I had a job cleaning houses, but the pay was horrible.  So when I was given the opportunity to come to Spain, I knew I had to take it.  But the day that I left was horrible.  I’d never been outside of Ecuador.  I’d never been apart from my mother.  Both of us were crying like children at the airport.  I had no idea what I’d find when I arrived.  My plan was to make a little money, come home, and start a business, maybe a food stand.  Just a little something to make our lives easier.  Soon after arriving in Spain, I found work cooking and cleaning at a summer camp.  It was in the mountains.  It was very isolated.  But they were kind to me.  They gave me extra jobs and allowed me to stay during the offseason.  It was very lonely, but I spoke to my mother every day.  And I was able to send home almost all the money I made.  After seven years I received my residency papers, and I was finally able to go home for a visit.  I’d wanted to surprise my mom, but she has high blood pressure, so I told her I was coming.  She was standing in the doorway when I arrived.  She held me for the longest time.  Everything had changed.  The house had been empty when I left.  Now there was furniture: chairs, sofas, two beds instead of one.  A new stove.  A fridge full of food.  A television, not even one with knobs.  It had a real remote.  We stayed up all night talking.  I told her all about Spain.  Eventually I was able to bring her here.  We live together now.  I see her every day.  And I’m working as a home health aide.  So if anything happens, I can take care of her.”
(Barcelona, Spain)