COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: VENEZUELA

AGE: 24
CHILDREN: NONE
ORIGINAL OCCUPATION: STUDENT
TIME ON THE ISLAND: 3 YEARS

I was lucky, I came by plane. There are others that try to come by boat, but many disappear. Curaçao was the fastest and easiest way to leave Venezuela and the economy here was better than other places. When I came here, I had a cousin and her husband living on the island. In the beginning they helped me, but after some time I had to work and find my own place. Back in Venezuela I used to study Telecommunications Engineering, but when I came here, I couldn’t continue my studies. Now I work in the same field, well I used to work in the same field because I haven’t worked since the coronavirus. It’s been three months already. The shop where I worked has opened back up, but there’s not enough work so I’m still home doing nothing.

Three years of fighting. The life of an undocumented immigrant is not easy at all. [They are shaking. Their hands and even their jaw trembles when they speak] Many rejections. No work. We undocumented people often get paid less. Many times, business owners have wanted to hire me, but don’t once they hear I’m undocumented. When I came here, I hoped to find a better life. Work hard and find people who treat each-other with kindness. Now I’m at a point where I would take any job I could get!

My brother and I are not receiving any help. I have sent messages with all my information to the organizations that help illegal immigrants, but we’re not receiving any help. Fortunately, my brother has started working again, so at least we won’t starve, but that is our only income at the moment. He came here through me. I saved money and sent him the plane ticket. He is a professional hair stylist and now he has to support himself and me, plus he sends money to our parents in Venezuela, just like I do when I have a job.

I haven’t been back to Venezuela since I left 3 years ago so I haven’t seen my parents for a long time. I miss them so much, but if I go back to Venezuela I can’t leave for a few years. It’s a sacrifice I have to make.

I would like the people of Curaçao to understand that not all Venezuelans are the same. [Her voice breaks.] There are good people and bad people and the people of Curaçao could open up more to “illegal” immigrants and give us a chance. It often feels like they think they can do with us whatever they want because we’re illegal. I feel like we are being discriminated a lot. They discriminate against everyone here, Venezuelans, the Dutch, everyone.

My message is that we have to be strong and face this virus together. We’re all humans. We need to have faith and believe in God. With His help everything is possible.

I wish that Curaçao would open its doors for us and let us work in peace. My dream for the future is to become legal and study something, but if that doesn’t happen then I plan on going to Europe. Eventually I’ll have my own house. Then I will send tickets for my parents to come live with me.