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My name is Gaudy, I am from Peru and a mother of two children 10 and 12 years old, respectively. I came to this wonderful country 10 years ago. As with the majority of immigrants I had to face many barriers and challenges.
The first thing that I had to face was the language barrier. In order to overcome this issue, I made the decision to study ESL (English as a Second Language). I registered for summer classes at Passaic County Community College in July 2008, and started my journey as a student until my graduation in May 2015. It took me almost 3 years to finish my ESL studies. Being a student, a part time worker in a factory and a mother of two babies was not an easy job. However, I had the right partner beside me, my husband, Manuel. He was my support, the person who motivated me, who helped me a lot. He took care of our children during nights when I had classes. Because I didn’t have a car and I didn’t know how to drive, there were many nights when I walked to college; walked to my children’s school: rainy days; snowy days; hot days. Despite this, I never regretted the situation I was living in at that moment.
My babies and my husband were my support. I remembered those days as if they were yesterday, but now I can say that all these struggles were worth it. With effort and dedication I got my Associate Degree in Social Science, with option in Human Services, in May 2015. The next year I completed my second Associate’s in Liberal Arts, with option in Psychology. I had the honor of participating in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society; an honor I never could have imagined.
One of my most amazing experiences as a student was doing an internship at the Straight and Narrow. I was an intern there for 5 months. My function as an intern was to facilitate a class of teens who were struggling with addiction. This experience really touched me because I learned a lot from each one of those kids. I learned that if you treat people in the way that you would like to be treated you receive the same love and respect from them, that you give.
After graduation, I received my Substitute Teacher Certification and started working as a permanent substitute in a classroom for autistic children. At this moment, I am also working as a substitute at El Mundo de Colores Early Learning Center. Working at the center is the most amazing thing that could happen to me. Currently, I am studying for my Child Development Associate Certificate, and what I am learning by working with these kids is priceless.
El Mundo de Colores is so special for me and my family for many reasons. My two kids attended this awesome school. My oldest son graduated in June 2010 and my little one graduated in June 2012. Our regular family life changed when our youngest, Jesus, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. As parents we felt sad and overwhelmed.
Thankfully,, my husband and I had the right help and we were at the right place. Jesus was 3 years old when he first attended El Mundo de Colores in Ms. Mabelyn and Ms. Gloria’s class. At 4 years old, Jesus was placed in Ms. Barbara and Ms. Maria’s class. We rece
ived support from his teachers, from the director, Ms. Laura, and from the whole staff. As parents we worked together with his teachers and the school specialists as a team. At the end of the 2012 school year we saw our beautiful angel graduate from El Mundo de Colores. That day was memorable and was one of the happiest days of our lives, and a big step for Jesus in his life. Now 9 years old, Jesus is in 4th grade and he is having a successful school year. I am proud of my two kids but my little one helped me to see the world in a different way, helped me to become a better mom, a better person, a better professional who cares about and respects the differences of others. I learned that each child is UNIQUE and each child is a different world.
I have learned that life is beautiful but sometimes you have to fight and put the best of yourself forward to overcome barriers. If you have the right people around you and put in your effort, life gives you the opportunities to find your way towards happiness and success. If you have a dream go for it, fight and be strong. Just trust in God because he is good. I am thankful to God for the family and friends that he has blessed me with.