Meeting my Birth Family
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On November 24, 1978, I was born in El Salvador - a country that was experiencing civil war and was collapsing under the pressures of political unrest.
As the fighting continued for over a decade, families were separated, villages were burned to the ground, and 75,000 people lost their lives.
I survived.
But only because of two strong, resilient, and independent, women – my mothers.
Alba, my birth mother, was fearful of the future. Already, she had two children she was caring for on her own – barely squeaking by on her maid’s salary.
Judi, my adopted mother, was also frightened of what was to come, after she was told she would never physically, carry children of her own.
Together, they passed through the San Salvador countryside – one woman traveling from Apeneca, Ahuachpan, to give up her youngest daughter.
The other, journeying a foreign landscape, ready to hold her only child for the first time.
Both women – through sacrifice and sorrow – created a path that would lead me to survival, and to becoming a mother, a friend, a writer, and an adoptee.
The story could have ended there.
But, two weeks ago, through the help of Pro-Busqueda, an El Salvadoran-based nonprofit organization that helps re-connect families that were separated during the civil war, I found my birth mother Alba.
Unbeknownst to me, she has been living in Los Angeles, along with my siblings, my nieces and nephews, as well as my aunt and maternal grandmother.
While we were reunited through a video call - the next step is for my entire family – birth and adopted – to come together and meet for the first time in person.
And that is why I’m asking for your help.
Despite being able to set money aside to travel to California, I need additional funds to make the trip a real possibility this coming April.
Even if it's just $1, every penny counts.
As I continue on my own journey, I wish you the most on yours.
I love you all, Love Rachael
As the fighting continued for over a decade, families were separated, villages were burned to the ground, and 75,000 people lost their lives.
I survived.
But only because of two strong, resilient, and independent, women – my mothers.
Alba, my birth mother, was fearful of the future. Already, she had two children she was caring for on her own – barely squeaking by on her maid’s salary.
Judi, my adopted mother, was also frightened of what was to come, after she was told she would never physically, carry children of her own.
Together, they passed through the San Salvador countryside – one woman traveling from Apeneca, Ahuachpan, to give up her youngest daughter.
The other, journeying a foreign landscape, ready to hold her only child for the first time.
Both women – through sacrifice and sorrow – created a path that would lead me to survival, and to becoming a mother, a friend, a writer, and an adoptee.
The story could have ended there.
But, two weeks ago, through the help of Pro-Busqueda, an El Salvadoran-based nonprofit organization that helps re-connect families that were separated during the civil war, I found my birth mother Alba.
Unbeknownst to me, she has been living in Los Angeles, along with my siblings, my nieces and nephews, as well as my aunt and maternal grandmother.
While we were reunited through a video call - the next step is for my entire family – birth and adopted – to come together and meet for the first time in person.
And that is why I’m asking for your help.
Despite being able to set money aside to travel to California, I need additional funds to make the trip a real possibility this coming April.
Even if it's just $1, every penny counts.
As I continue on my own journey, I wish you the most on yours.
I love you all, Love Rachael
Organizer
Rachael Devaney
Organizer
Onset, MA
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