Si Puedes/You Can
by Omar Vilchez-Vaca
My name is Omar Vilchez Vaca. I was born in the town of Zitacuar in
Michuacan, Mexico. When I used to live in my hometown, I enjoyed getting
together with my family, my people. Friendship was very important to
me—it still is today. I also enjoyed going into the countryside
with my brothers and friends. That made me happy. I owe a lot to my mother
and father because they always did even the impossible in order to be
able to give my brothers and me what we needed, as well as the education
they never had. Even there were many in my family, we all went to school.
Later, I decided to come to the United States to work and save money
in order to continue with my education. But crossing the border to the
north is not easy. It is very dangerous. You risk your life because you
could have an accident or you could die in the desert of starvation or
dehydration.
My first difficult experience after arriving in the United States was
to see that everything was so different. Life is difficult for those
of us who do not speak English. My second hard experience was when I
had to go the hospital. I found that the attention given to a Mexican
is very different.
Another difficult experience has been to see the treatment given to
Mexican workers who do whatever labor is needed. They are treated differently
than the Americans.
I feel good about some successes. I have been able to advance in my
job and to learn to communicate better in English. Thanks to my job and
to the school I attend two days a week I have learned to speak and understand
English.
My greatest achievement or experience has been that because I was able
to work here, I was able to save the life of my brother. He was very
sick and his medical care was very expensive. Luckily, my brothers and
I were able to send him the money he needed. My brothers and I have achieved
the most beautiful thing in this life—we were able to help someone
that needed us.
Omar Vilchez-Vaca
Translation from Spanish by M. Teri Hidalgo-Rodriguez
La FUENTE Learning Center
2115 E. 2nd St.
Austin, TX 78702
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