Success Stories

An Architect’s New Life

My name is Manuel, but when I was small my mother called me “Manuhitzin,” my sisters and brothers, and all the people called me “Manuhitzin” too. I don’t remember my father’s face very well. I only know he was a tall man and his friends called him “Guero Sanchez” because of his white complexion. Besides his hair was blond, that’s why they gave him this name. In our family we didn’t always have peace, but we had wonderful days. I think we had wonderful years that later would change because my mother had to work hard to give us a little education, clothes, and food. Poor mother - I remember her sad face when we had economic problems.

The first time I accomplished a small victory was when my father let me to go to a college far from my town to finish my primary in-struction. In those years the people thought that the sons would have to work in the fields with their par-ents because in the future they would be doing the same thing all their lives. I know now they only wanted to save money with free manual labor. For me it was like getting out of jail. My life changed for the better I think. Only I missed my mother because I had never been far from her. Two years after we ended the class and I came back home with the Primary Education Certificate under my arm. I remember the faces of my sisters and mother. They were very happy as were all the people near to my home. This was all a first time for me; I needed to continue studying more and more.

I don’t want to bore you so I will end by saying that I finally got my title of Architect in La Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico in 1993. Only I want to add that here too I will triumph.

I am here only because of necessity. In my country there are not many jobs. So I had to swim pass the Rio Bravo because I didn’t get permission to come to America. Since August 22, 2003 I started my calvary in this country. All has been new for me, the language, the meat, the people, without knowing nothing, without money. My children and wife in Mexico give me strength and courage to follow the way. Then I ask here and there about a job. One good day a friend that I knew on the street told me of a job at the Omni Hotel. I made an application and started the next day.

Now I think that this job is not for me because I have a professional title, and I need an opportunity, only an opportunity to show my knowledge in architecture. But I know that the rules here are different. So I will learn English because I know that I can’t do it without English. When I want to stop and put my hands down, all I do is see my son’s face, then I lift my face at the sky, and the sky only stares back. Not even God answers me, but I know he blesses me. So daily I will ask His protection and He will give me more every day.