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Woman
Woman

Testimonials

“I came to Charlotte at the age of 11. My parents sent me with a relative to the United States because in the city where I lived there were many gangs and they were raping the girls. When I got to Charlotte I felt so lonely. My relative was living in a situation where she was experiencing physical and mental abuse. I decided to ask the school I was attending for help but no one helped me. I didn’t want to be in that toxic environment anymore so I decided to go live with a guy I was dating just so I could escape from where I was living. What I did not know is that I was going to end up in another situation similar to that of my relative. I got pregnant at 14 years old. Now I am 15 and it has been very difficult to get ahead without having the support of any family member, to learn to be a mother alone and to study. Not only that, my child’s father began to abuse me physically and emotionally. Despite all that I still dream of getting out of all this and being able to get ahead with my baby and one day see my parents again. Thanks to the support of Despierta I decide to continue my education Having this support has given me hope and I am very grateful."  -Name and Image Not Disclosed to Protect Client Privacy

“I migrated from my home country of Guatemala on May 28, 2019. This is when my 'American Dream' began. I was 3 months pregnant at the time. It was 52 days of suffering before I finally crossed the border at Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, TX. July 2019, my struggle began in the City of Charlotte, NC. It was very difficult to start a new one life, in a country so different from ours; but with great opportunities to grow not only economically but personally as well. One day when at my doctors appointment, I met two great people who are now the founders of DESPIERTA. Andrea have supported me in different situations that have come my way, including not being able to speak the English language.” -Name Not Disclosed to Protect Client Privacy

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