By Alexa Figueroa.
?Everything is possible. Is everything possible? These are moving words from Lisandro Leonardo Vail, a 15-year-old young man, who at 13 migrated from Cajolá, Guatemala, to the Bay Area in California. Immigrating to a new country is not easy for any adult, now imagine doing it as a child.
During the conversation, Lisandro took us from playing soccer in the warm outside of Guatemala, to boarding a plane destined for a city in an unknown country, San Francisco. But why? This is the story of a young man who left with the hope of a promising future and in search of better education and work opportunities.
Lisandro grew up surrounded by family and friends. He was happy, but there was an obstacle, the lack of opportunities that made it difficult to ensure he had a future in Guatemala. It was then that he made the decision to move to the United States (US), a country he had only heard about.
Fortunately, he was not alone like many young people who come, because his father was waiting for him and told him: "You don't have to be sad," assuring him that the change would be good and beneficial. That gave him relief, but he was still afraid of the unknown. ?[When I arrive] What am I going to do? If I don't know anything?, I thought.
For example, remember when you arrived: the big buildings, the food in large portions and, of course, the strange sound that came from the Americans: English. This language has been one of its most challenging difficulties; getting used to it and pronouncing it correctly was an obstacle that he would have to overcome for his education. Furthermore, at school English was a constant, something he had to become familiar with.
He noticed that nothing was like Guatemala, the systems were completely different and surprising, but as time went by, Lisandro began to adapt to American culture, including the language. In particular, he began celebrating Thanksgiving, a holiday known for its Americanism. For his age the transition was easier and faster, but that did not eliminate the lack of his family and their customs.
In fact, he commented that he misses the Day of the Dead, which he celebrated with his mother and cousins by going to the cemetery where his grandmother and brother are, preparing offerings and the favorite dishes of his deceased family.
Additionally, with his cousins he made kites and flew them, creating a meaningful and special moment. This has been something that the US has not been able to do, but Lisandro is hopeful that one day he will be able to return to Guatemala to celebrate this day as before.
In the end, no change is easy, but he remains motivated to pursue a career as an electrician and learn from the unknown. As he said: ?everything is possible? with dedication and persistence.
Since he was a child he saw how his father fought so that he could have a better future and that is why he hopes to obtain an education and learn English to get a career, buy a house and, above all, make his parents proud.
His story may probably be similar to that of several migrants, but Lisandro's serves to tell why several children have decided to emigrate; something that has recently been becoming more common.
The monster? of the exit, has caused several children at the age of 13 to think that, to have a better future, they will have to go on an adventure in search of opportunities. Although this is just the beginning for Lisandro, he continues to have faith in achieving his goals.
I have not the slightest doubt that he is going to achieve his dreams, and he also has no doubt that the young people who have those dreams will do so and that is why he says: "Give yourself the will to do whatever you want."
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