Support J.O.'s Education and her Baby's Future

I am J.O., a 19 year old mother. This is a picture of myself and my one and a half month baby boy. I came as an unaccompanied minor to the U.S. from Suchitepéquez, Guatemala. I am the 4th of 5 children. I completed 6th grade as that was the highest education I could aspire in my village and what my parents could sustain. I am grateful for the sacrifices my parents made. Their sacrifice allowed me to learn how to read, write, and communicate better in Spanish. Right after the completion of 6th grade, I worked in the fields alongside my siblings and parents growing food for our own consumption as well as contributing to my family's economy. We grew maize (corn), squash, beans, chilis, tomatillos, cacao and other fruits and vegetables we brought to the market for sale.

I always dreamed to get more education. My journey as an unaccompanied minor brought me to Chelsea, MA. I enrolled myself in school. To do it, I worked full time in a store after school. I plan to attend 11th grade this fall at Chelsea HS. I trust everything will go well with my leukemia undergoing treatment. I would like pursuing higher education. I plan to continue working hard to bring a healthy child, support his education goals, working ethics and instill good values in him to become a good human being.