Camila Paz Valdes

Universidad Metropolitana, Caracas
My name is Camila Paz, I am 21 years old and I live in Caracas, Venezuela. Nowadays the situation in my country is very difficult, and it hurts me to see how the situation is getting worse day by day. Three weeks ago a national shutdown occurred, lasting up to 1 week. Can you imagine, 1 week without light? Without water? They were one of the most stressful days of my life, there was no signal, you could not communicate with anyone, the country simply collapsed.
It was very hard to go through something like that, and I hope that we can get out of this situation very soon and that all our relatives and friends who left in search of a better future can return to their country that they love and miss so much.

Regina Borgman

Northeastern 2023
When Chavez people entered the synagogue in 2009, my parents decided to move to Peru. I had to adapt to a new life, leaving behind my family and friends. It was a hard moment in my life but at the end, life can change and you need to learn from your experiences. Today, I have 18 years old and I am so grateful that my parents took that decision that I did not understand when I was 9. We start hearing stories about kidnappings and the insecurity that Venezuela was living. 
With the actual situation and with our president, Juan Guaido, I have a positive mind that Venezuela is going to be the country that was when my parents grew up, that Venezuela that all of us love. I hope that one day all Venezuelans can go back where they belong. 

Eliezer Redensky

WIT 2022
venezuela is the best country in the world without a doubt but, 19 years ago, the country falls into dictatorship making it the most insecure country in the world. Living in Venezuela was not easy because insecurity and scarcity are very big, which made it difficult to have a normal life. Since at 18 years ago, we do not go out because it is not safe to leave at that time or 30 years old cannot sing happy birthday because there is no food to make a cake or 90 years old cannot die in peace because the funeral is very expensive. In conclusion, life in Venezuela was not easy but I have faith that will change very soon so all the young people who are not there are going to help to rebuild the best country in the world. VENEZUELA

Valerie Redensky

Florida International University 2023
I moved from Venezuela 3 years ago letting behind my life, my house, my family and friends with no choice. I had to start studying in a different language and do a lot of things to adapt to my new environment. I started to study architecture at Florida International University and with that I had to change my habits of eating, studying and communicating. It was hard but for me, life is a challenge and everything that you have to surpass is a victory. Nowadays I'm in my second year studying hard to graduate and be prepared for a change in Venezuela. That's why I’m extremely positive that Venezuela is going to have freedom and democracy soon and then, after graduating, I have a dream to go back and with all the Venezuelans that are returning from the diaspora reconstruct my nation.

Andrea Velasquez

I’m from Caracas, Venezuela. I moved to the United States when I was 15 years old. At that moment Venezuela was already suffering from a socioeconomic and political crisis that was starting to put everyone in danger. We would start hearing stories about our close relatives and friends being kidnapped or assaulted, so my parents didn’t feel safe anymore and didn’t feel that we were going to be able to have a good future if we stayed here. Moving was indeed the hardest decision of my life; leaving my entire family and friends behind wasn’t easy, I had to start a new life al over again and as the situation deteriorated rapidly in Venezuela I couldn’t go back to visit. At first, I didn’t understand how moving was actually the right decision, but now looking back at everything that has happened and actually is happening in Venezuela, I’m so thankful about the decision that my parents made and that we left when we did. Even though I haven’t gone in years to Venezuela my heart and my mind is still there. It pains me to see what is happening in Venezuela, so much suffering so much pain so many problems that only get worse every day. I pray every day for a miracle so that we can get our beautiful country back and the suffering comes to an end and that one day I can go back.

​Eugenia Rincon

Babson College 21'
I left Venezuela when I was 11 years old because my parents feared for me and my siblings' lives and overall safety. We move to Miami for a better life and quality of living. We left our whole lives behind; our friends, our family, our house, our schools... everything. It was very hard to completely start over in a foreign country due to the tragic situation my country is still to this day suffering through. I still return to my hometown of Maracaibo once a year, usually during summer, to visit my family and friends who still live in Venezuela.

Victoria Roca

Babson 21'

My name is Victoria Roca, I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. At the age of 15 my family decided to come to the United States for vacation. At the time, Caracas was suffering from a political, social and economic crisis that put many members of family in danger. In fact, that summer two of my mom’s sisters were kidnapped and threatened to death. For this and other personal reasons, my parents decided to leave everything behind and give my sister and I the privilege to live in a safer place. Moving to a different country, especially out of the blue, was not an easy decision. Not being able to go back for two years straight was even harder. But after five years of watching my fellow Venezuelans face the harsh conditions from day to day, I feel more than thankful and fortunate. Still, my desire to help improve the situation in my country strengthens every day and deep down I hope to go back someday and live in the Venezuela my parents once did.