*QUICK NOTE from the GoFundMe Organizer:
Hi all! My name is Kierra (Kiki). When I was 18 (the same age Hugo is now), I decided I wanted to move to Guatemala to study Spanish, in hopes of becoming a translator. I fell in love with a young man named Adonis. Hugo is one of Adonis’ cousins. I’ve known Hugo since he was 12-years old. I’m now 25 and live in Colorado.
When Hugo first came to the U.S., after being detained for 4-months, he moved in with friends of family friends in North Carolina. Unfortunately, it was a very unhealthy living situation. After much discussion and planning, I rented a car and, with my nephew (Kobe), drove cross-country to pick-up Hugo and bring him home to live with me. Below, read Hugo’s story to learn more.
Please note, the description for this page was originally written by Hugo in Spanish, then translated by me into English.
July 2020. Move-in day.
-----------------------------------------------
Hi, my name is Hugo, I’m 18-years-old and I’m from Guatemala. In spring of 2019, my sister, Estefany, and I had to make a very challenging decision to either leave the country or die. We decided to take a leap of faith and try to migrate to the United States. I was 16-years old, Estefany was 20.
It took us 15-days to reach the U.S.-Mexico border. During the journey, I saw many things that I wish I hadn't — babies crying in distress, not understanding what was happening, dads breaking down when reality hit that that they no longer had their families by their sides. I’ll remember all the ways we got from place to place across countries (walking, buses, taxis, trucks...), the multiple times I helped single pregnant mothers (traveling with their little children) climb into 18-wheelers in order to all sit hidden, in silence, together in the dark. When we weren’t walking for extended periods of time, we were required to sit for multiple hours, without making any noise… I’ll remember the group of us “mochileros”, the fear that bonded us and the way we worked together to try and stay strong.
When I finally made it to the U.S. immigration office in Texas, I remember looking around at those I had been traveling with and feeling hopeful that we had achieved our goal! I quickly realized the hard part was just beginning, when I was pulled away from my sister and put on a bus, unsure where immigration officers were taking me. A huge lump formed in my throat as I sat there and thought about how I didn’t get a chance to give my big sister a hug goodbye...
I was transferred to a detention center (specifically for minors), where I spent 4 months waiting for someone who could help me get out. Being in the center was an experience unlike any I had had before. I met kids from all around the world. I made a few friends, one from India, one from Nicaragua and my best friend was a boy from Honduras. He was an important part of how I survived the test of being in detention. He once said something that inspired me to keep going, “We’re the change of this country.”
When I first left the detention center, I went to live with a family in North Carolina. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a healthy place for me to be and I had to leave. Now, I’m living in Colorado with my “prima” (cousin). Here, I’ve had the opportunity to start high school and begin learning English. I’ve started to think of dreams for the future, like getting my diploma, becoming a permanent resident, and eventually being able to serve in the U.S. military. My biggest dream is being able to see my family again and having the chance to work hard to make them proud.
Right now, I’m in the process of working with two lawyers who are helping me legalize my status under laws that protect minors and others fleeing harm. My goal is to obtain permanent residency in approximately four years and I hope to obtain a work permit in the meantime.
While I wait for these processes to be completed, I’ve created this GoFundMe. My cousin, Kierra, helped me learn how to put together a budget to figure out how much I need to make it through the next year. The money I can raise from this page will help me with expenses for my food, winter clothes, transportation, my cell phone bill, my lawyer fees and some to set aside in case of a health emergency.
Thank you for donating and sharing my page! It really means a lot to me.
I’ve made it my goal to write a personal thank you to everyone who donates, and attach a copy of a drawing I made in honor of this fundraiser.
Thank you, again!
Also, if you’re interested in seeing videos of experiences I’ve had while starting my new life in Colorado and hearing how Kierra became a part of my story, click here .*
Estefany (Hugo’s big sister) and Hugo.
2014 — Hugo, Hugo’s cousins and Kierra.
Hi all! My name is Kierra (Kiki). When I was 18 (the same age Hugo is now), I decided I wanted to move to Guatemala to study Spanish, in hopes of becoming a translator. I fell in love with a young man named Adonis. Hugo is one of Adonis’ cousins. I’ve known Hugo since he was 12-years old. I’m now 25 and live in Colorado.
When Hugo first came to the U.S., after being detained for 4-months, he moved in with friends of family friends in North Carolina. Unfortunately, it was a very unhealthy living situation. After much discussion and planning, I rented a car and, with my nephew (Kobe), drove cross-country to pick-up Hugo and bring him home to live with me. Below, read Hugo’s story to learn more.
Please note, the description for this page was originally written by Hugo in Spanish, then translated by me into English.
July 2020. Move-in day.-----------------------------------------------
Hi, my name is Hugo, I’m 18-years-old and I’m from Guatemala. In spring of 2019, my sister, Estefany, and I had to make a very challenging decision to either leave the country or die. We decided to take a leap of faith and try to migrate to the United States. I was 16-years old, Estefany was 20.
It took us 15-days to reach the U.S.-Mexico border. During the journey, I saw many things that I wish I hadn't — babies crying in distress, not understanding what was happening, dads breaking down when reality hit that that they no longer had their families by their sides. I’ll remember all the ways we got from place to place across countries (walking, buses, taxis, trucks...), the multiple times I helped single pregnant mothers (traveling with their little children) climb into 18-wheelers in order to all sit hidden, in silence, together in the dark. When we weren’t walking for extended periods of time, we were required to sit for multiple hours, without making any noise… I’ll remember the group of us “mochileros”, the fear that bonded us and the way we worked together to try and stay strong.
When I finally made it to the U.S. immigration office in Texas, I remember looking around at those I had been traveling with and feeling hopeful that we had achieved our goal! I quickly realized the hard part was just beginning, when I was pulled away from my sister and put on a bus, unsure where immigration officers were taking me. A huge lump formed in my throat as I sat there and thought about how I didn’t get a chance to give my big sister a hug goodbye...
I was transferred to a detention center (specifically for minors), where I spent 4 months waiting for someone who could help me get out. Being in the center was an experience unlike any I had had before. I met kids from all around the world. I made a few friends, one from India, one from Nicaragua and my best friend was a boy from Honduras. He was an important part of how I survived the test of being in detention. He once said something that inspired me to keep going, “We’re the change of this country.”
When I first left the detention center, I went to live with a family in North Carolina. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a healthy place for me to be and I had to leave. Now, I’m living in Colorado with my “prima” (cousin). Here, I’ve had the opportunity to start high school and begin learning English. I’ve started to think of dreams for the future, like getting my diploma, becoming a permanent resident, and eventually being able to serve in the U.S. military. My biggest dream is being able to see my family again and having the chance to work hard to make them proud.
Right now, I’m in the process of working with two lawyers who are helping me legalize my status under laws that protect minors and others fleeing harm. My goal is to obtain permanent residency in approximately four years and I hope to obtain a work permit in the meantime.
While I wait for these processes to be completed, I’ve created this GoFundMe. My cousin, Kierra, helped me learn how to put together a budget to figure out how much I need to make it through the next year. The money I can raise from this page will help me with expenses for my food, winter clothes, transportation, my cell phone bill, my lawyer fees and some to set aside in case of a health emergency.
Thank you for donating and sharing my page! It really means a lot to me.
I’ve made it my goal to write a personal thank you to everyone who donates, and attach a copy of a drawing I made in honor of this fundraiser.
Thank you, again!
Also, if you’re interested in seeing videos of experiences I’ve had while starting my new life in Colorado and hearing how Kierra became a part of my story, click here .*
Estefany (Hugo’s big sister) and Hugo. 2014 — Hugo, Hugo’s cousins and Kierra.
Organizer