If there were no dreams we would be empty vessels of no hope. We would wander the earth with no direction and no end. I firmly believe education is the light that leads us to dreams, hopes and goals; that’s what happened to me and made me believe that there is no dream to big, or too small, it’s important just to have one.
My love, my baby, my nephew… Can’t wait to know what his dreams will me!
While I was in college, it was always uncertain how I would attend the next semester so I just took it one semester at a time. Money was the factor that determined if I got the chance to attend school or not so every dollar mattered. I remember how difficult it was to pay for each semester but I overcame many personal and financial difficulties to achieve my dream, to be the first in my immediate family to graduate from a university.
I came to this awesome country at the age of 17 and worked part-time as an office clerk at a transportation company. At 18 I fell very ill and then sent to collections for not paying my medical bills, at 21 I was homeless, at 25 I survived a heart-breaking divorce, at 27 I didn’t know if I would ever get a degree so I did the only thing I knew how, I worked very hard. I made jewelry on weeknights and sold them at school, I had a steady clientele who I dyed hair for despite that I am not a license beautician(which they were aware of) and I recycle cans and plastic bottles to save money for tuition and books. I was also a nanny on the weekends for 3 small children where my duties included cooking for the family, cleaning, driving the kids to their different activities, help them with homework, plan field trips, bathe them, read bed-time stories and tucked them in at night. Needless to say I am always working and always exhausted.
Even though I struggled financially to pay my way through school, I knew that what I needed to succeed was within me. I was young, strong, determined and a hard working woman who is not afraid to take-on life as it comes and I knew that once I got that degree my life would change… and it did!
Today I’m so grateful for my many blessings. I have a great job and I love it (Public Relations + Blogger), I’m happier than ever and I’m in a position where I can be a vessel of hope and an inspiration to my family, friends and all the kids we help through The Orphaned Earring. It pleases me to know that brands such as Neutrogena create programs and campaigns such as the Wave for Change campaign designed to help students obtain an education that will certainly change kids/student’s lives and they can in turn change the lives of others.
For third year in a row, the Neutrogena® Wave for Change® campaign is helping rebuild the lives of thousands of kids in need by giving them the tool to succeed in life and be whatever they want to be. For every Wave for Change® video view on Neutrogena’s website or on Neutrogena’s Facebook Page, $1 will be donated to GlobalGiving to support U.S. educational organizations: Knowledge is Power Program, Para Los Ninos, and Education Through Music. For each participating Neutrogena product purchased, another $1 will be donated to GlobalGiving. Isn’t that great (and easy)!?
There are so many kids out there that need to have a dream; dreams are sparked and fueled by education and you can help. Simply watch the video, like their page and with ONE CLICK you will activate the donation. I urge you to join me and be vessels of hope!
I was selected for this campaign by Latina Bloggers Connect. All opinions are my own.
Loved reading this! I could actually tell the first day I met you what a passionate and driven woman you are. You inspire me!
Thank you Ana! I’m just happy to know that hard work DOES pay off – You are one to know this too
Thanks for your constant support and sideline cheer-leading!
Loved reading this! I could actually tell the first day I met you what a passionate and driven mujer you are! You inspire me!!