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.