My Success Story

by Imelda Mendez

My name is Imelda Mendez and I am from Mexico.  In 1999 my husband, Jesus, decided to go to America to look for a different life than the one he had in Mexico.  He had been a partner with two other men.  They had a clothing factory where they made clothes for an American company.
 
It was too bad, but my husband was cheated by one of the partners, and we got into lots of debt.  The man stole the profits and left us with a large debt.  My husband thought that he could go to America to work and to pay off the debts that he had because of his partner.
 
Jesus' sister, Marilu, decided to go to America and Jesus went with her.  They drove from Reyodosa, Mexico to Charlotte, North Carolina.  Jesus worked there as an electrician.  Meanwhile, I was still in Mexico and felt sad and lonely.  Our children were very small, and there wasn't any money, so I had to work, while my mother took care of the children. 
 
Two months later, my sister-in law, Marilu, went from her home in Brownsville, Texas, to Reynosa and got me and my three young children.  I didn't know what to expect as I left my homeland.  My parents were crying when I left and so was I.  My children didn't know what was happening.  My mom was especially upset because she realized that she would not have much of a part in the lives of her grandchildren anymore.
 
Since then, however, my mother has been here several times.  My father is a very 'cold' person, and I never get to talk to him if my mother is at home when I call.  He has never visited us in America.
 
We lived in Charlotte, North Crolina, for two y ears.  I tried to go to ESL classes, but I was afraid I'd get lost driving in such a big city.  I couldn't speak English so if I did get lost, how would I communicate with English-speaking people?  So, I stayed home and felt lonely and homesick.  I felt like I had made a mistake in coming to America.
 
In 2001, we wanted to be closer to Mexico, so we could visit our family easier, so we moved to Texas.  This way, some of my family in Mexico could come and visit us.  Being away from the support and care of my relatives has been one of the hardest things about moving to America.  Ten months af ter we moved to Conroe, Texas, I started ESL classes with Region 6. 
 
I was so happy to be in a class with people from Mexico, but after a while, I was glad to be meeting people from all over the world!  I think this is one of the best things about learning English.  You meet so many different people and learn about their lives.
 
My progress in learning English was slow, I thought.  But, my teacher, Miss Shannon was so encouraging that I kept on going to class and decided that no matter what, I would stay in class.  But, then something terrible happened!  I was doing so well that I had to leave Miss Shannon's class and starting going to Miss Kaye's class.  I was angry, scared, and didn't want to make such a drastic change.  But, I had promised myself that I would stay in school, so I did.
 
I began to notice changes in my English and my ability to communicate with others.  Also, I started working as a hostess and then as a waitress at a Mexican restaurant.  I would also go to my English classes and would be very tired because I was working and going to school also.  But, it was worth it, because I was beginning to be able to communicate with my English speaking customers. 
 
My children adjusted to Conroe, Texas, very well.  In Charlotte they were in a class with all English speaking students, but had only one hour of ESL.  In Conroe, they were in bilingual classes.  In Charlotte the teacher for one of my children was just great.  She became my friend and would come to our house to help my daughter with her English.
 
It hasn't been easy to grasp this very diffecult language and especially I was challenged because I got sick.  I found out that I had Cystic Fibrosis.  It makes you weak and tired all the time.  I was weak and exhausted and was very enemic.  I had to drop out of English classes for six months.  I had to rest and was treated for my disease.
 
Finally, I was able to return to class, and because of my high level in ESL, I began GED classes.  I stayed there about one year, and in November, on the 3rd, 2005, I was successful at passing my GED.  My teacher, Nicole, was wonderful.  She pushed me to  keep studying and not give up.  I felt I wasn't ready; I was scared and didn't think I could pass the test.
 
When I think back to six years ago, I am agazed at all that has happened.  I am glad, Now, that we decided to come to America.  The main difference was my interaction in the ESL and GED classes.  My teachers and my classmates were wonderful!
My e-mail is:kampuches49@yahoo.com.