Diana’s voice rang out over the crowd as the musicians built up to the last note. Then the song was over. The performance was done.
Her singing was beautiful, and the pay would cover some of the bills. Life in Venezuela was difficult for this single mother…every little bit counted. Some days she was a singer, other days she was a teacher, beautician or seamstress. She even worked as a nurse and attended medical school.
Diana would do anything for her two daughters and son. “My children are everything.”
That night, as she left the stage, she caught the eye of a soldier who had been in the crowd. He approached her intending to catch himself a date. But Diana wasn’t interested. The soldier and his friends threatened to extort her. It was a dangerous situation for Diana.
She escaped the men but knew that wouldn’t be the last she saw of them. Worried for her children, Diana packed their bags and fled.
They crossed several countries, where they faced severe discrimination. At work, she faced labor abuse. Even Diana’s youngest daughter was not exempt from the prejudice.
“Go back to your country,” her classmates would say. But the girl could not go back.
When the bell rang, her classmates would wait for her outside the doors. Laughingly, they surrounded her, pulled her hair and punched her. One time, they even threatened to run her head over with a car.
When Diana confronted the teacher, the situation was brushed off. As migrants, they couldn’t even put in a claim to the police. The situation continued to get worse, and they began to hunt down the rest of the family. Diana transferred her daughter several times to different schools. Twice the family moved.
Diana reported the incidents to ACNUR for UNHCR and was interviewed. After two years, she was notified that her family would be relocated to Spokane, Washington.
A breath and a new start
Before leaving, Diana said goodbye to her oldest daughter. She had gotten married and would not be joining the rest of the family in America. It broke Diana’s heart to leave her behind, but she knew that going to America would be the best choice for the rest of the family.
They boarded a plane destined for Spokane in the fall of 2023. Upon arriving at the airport, Diana and her family were escorted by World Relief staff to an apartment prepared for their arrival.
When she entered her new home, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. For once, she didn’t worry about putting food on the table. “It was like a breath for the first time.”
Here, Diana no longer felt oppressed. “For me, to be here is a hope for a better life, and new opportunities…I feel that the people – they value us as a person here.”
Diana didn’t wait to get started. Job Readiness Workshop gave her a space to prepare her resume. In attending classes at the Education Center, she learned about American finances and investment.
Within three months, Diana accomplished her first goal: obtaining a beautician’s license.
Diana has seen the effects of a manicure on one’s self-esteem after eight years of working in the industry. It brings her joy to witness the transformation of a woman throughout the experience of getting her nails done.
“When they are done, they are crying,” said Diana. “Because, for the first time, they feel beautiful.”
Currently, Diana works at Amazon but looks forward to opening her own nail studio in Spokane.
“I want to be my own boss,” said Diana with a laugh.
Like many refugees, Diana has a highly entrepreneurial spirit. Research shows that immigrants launch companies at twice the rate of native-born American citizens – creating more jobs, and more opportunities.
Already, Diana has invested in equipment and is running a nail studio from her home. She looks forward to expanding into a new space, where her dream can become the stepping stone for other dreamers.
“I would like to open a place and give the opportunity for employment to other people as well, said Diana. “I would like the other girls to…see their own talent, and they can finish and complete their goal.”
As a mother, Diana enjoys seeing her own children pursue their happiness. Diana’s son currently works at Amazon alongside his mother where he earns a steady wage. Her daughter can finally enjoy going to school, where she makes friends and participates in World Relief’s youth program.
However, Diana still misses her eldest daughter and granddaughter. “I would like her to be here.”
A country where everything is possible
Diana is thankful that World Relief walked alongside her family during the resettlement process. Through the organization, they secured housing, jobs and found a community that supports them.
“World Relief for me is excellent people,” said Diana. “We meet our independence in a short time.”
For many, resettlement is difficult. Refugees face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from ground zero. As a fellow refugee, Diana continues to use her story to encourage new arrivals whether she is at Job Readiness Workshop or celebrating Education Center graduates.
In honor of World Refugee Day 2024, Diana was invited to share her testimony with the Spokane City Council. Surrounded by the Spokane community, she stood bravely before the council saying, “We are in a country where everything is possible, and I know that from experience.”
“I would like to send this message to all the people – I made it in less than six months – the other [refugees] they can do it too.”