Ariadna’story – “The designer”

Ariadna's letter to her grandmother:

“Dear granny,

Do you remember the drawings I made when I lived with you in Venezuela? Well, I already have made others and I really improved. See some of my latest artwork, what do you think? I definitely want to go to the university and study digital illustration or animation, it is what I like the most and since I know that my parents are not going to be able to pay me a monthly installment, I will do my best to get a scholarship.

I am writing to tell you how we are doing and how the pandemic is affecting us – having us all confined and unable to go to school. Here in Peru, what’s happening is the same as in many other countries: schools closed and online classes for those who have the means. When COVID-19 arrived, I was quite worried because I thought I was going to lose another year. Remember that when we had to leave Venezuela two years ago, I had to quit school and fell behind more than I would have liked. First, the eternal trip to Colombia, then the return to Venezuela and then the trip to Peru, where we settled in Lima – all of which left me out of education for a long time.

Changing countries was not easy, but it was better than living in uncertainty and in increasingly difficult and unsustainable conditions for my dad, my mom. Oh and your favorite granddaughter who will soon turn 11.

I miss my country, my neighborhood and the street we lived on. It affects me to think that all my childhood memories are over there, and that the rest of the family stayed, including you. We had no choice.

I must confess that I also miss my classmates. I know that I will not be able to graduate with them and that I will not make up that time. I am about to finish high school; I am close to turning 18 years of age and I have to look for a job to help my dad and my mom. Being an adult frightens and scares me, but I have matured.

Migrating has forced me to grow fast; just like Valeria, despite her young age. Life’s hardships force you to grow up.

I have had to take care of my little sister, cook for her and help her with homework. I must help my parents and give them as much support as possible.

We now live in a neighborhood where there are many more Venezuelans and their situation is even more precarious than ours. We know that a friend of my dad was evicted from the apartment because he could not pay the rent with and all his belongings were stolen. I also learned of a family that made a living from street sales, but now they have nothing to live on and expect charity from other people. I know that this is happening to many families who live and eat from what they earn every day, but now they have no means.

Unfortunately, some things are difficult here. If I could, I would ask people to have more tolerance and solidarity. Although we have not directly suffered from xenophobia, I know that many other people from our country are victims. People say that we are cowards because we left our country instead of staying, but it is not because we are cowards. It is because we have children, brothers and sisters and we always want the best for them. If we cannot find them in our country, we should get out and find them in another place.

Granny, we are fine despite everything. I trust that neither you nor anyone in my family will get sick, so we can get ahead and progress together. Although I do not want to return, I do have an immense desire to see you and give you a hug that will last a lifetime. Until then, I will continue drawing and drawing.”