Today I was helping with registration at the Carlos Rosario International Charter School where adult immigrants can take ESL and vocational classes. A woman came to a work station to get her documents checked. She looked tired and nervous. The supervisor reviewed a form in Spanish stating she was receiving public aid. She needed another document. She fidgeted, her brow furled, then she presented her proof of DC residence. She had an attestation of residence from a shelter. The supervisor called for a second opinion about the validity of her application and left me to talk to her while she waited. She seemed to be on the verge of tears.
“Estara bien, no se preocupe” (it will be fine, don’t worry), I told her. “?De donde viene?” (where are you from?)
“Guatemala” She grimaced with concern and uncertainty.
” Es muy dificile lo que hace, mudarese aqui…” (It is very difficult what you’re doing, moving here)
“Hay que luchar” ( You have to flight (for it))
“Usted es muy brava. Va a mejorar” (You’re very brave. It will get better) I tried to encourage her, fighting my own tears of compassion.
Later, I saw one of my supervisors and told him about the woman and our exchange. He said, “We have to help her! She needs to learn English so she can get a job and get out of that shelter”.
Yes, this is what I want to do.
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