She reached out to me even though all I had done was to judge her in silence. Because of of violence in her country, the abuse of her sisters and the loss of her father, she had to leave her place of birth. Just like millions of immigrants every year, she was looking for peace. 

She arrived in a country that promised opportunities and development. She wanted to be a journalist so she could tell the stories that no one was telling. Despite her hard work and the expectation to have more safety in the country that received her, she had to quit her job as a journalist. She received serious treats on her life, because her stories put light on atrocities that some very powerful people wanted to keep silent. 

After this, she decided to undertake a long journey, crossing different borders, looking for new opportunities. Unfortunately, she found nothing more than the judgmental look of all of those who do not understand people that look different than themselves. She is judged for being black, African, an immigrant. In her own country, she is judged for leaving. And she judges herself for not being with her mother during her last days alive. Regret marks each of the scars she accumulated over the years. She always wonders if her story would have been different if she had been satisfied with the little her country had to offer, if she could have just turned a deaf ear to the injustice and war. Although it is hard for her to accept, we know that her story would have been even more tragic if she had not emigrated, because war, violence and poverty would have defined her life. Besides, in my selfishness I must say that her choice to migrate allowed us to meet and for that I will be eternally grateful.

Her tragic story has never destroyed her altruistic soul. She is the proof that we are ANYTHING but victims of our circumstance.

Thank you for your breakfasts that, even though you didn't have much to share, you shared with me so I wouldn't miss home. Thank you for defending me. Thank you for caring. And most of all, THANK YOU for teaching me to look beyond my own ignorance.