December 2023 Student Spotlight: Joana Villada York
Joana Villada York is from Colombia. In October 2021, she moved to the United States and lives with her husband in Rochester, NY. She joined MCC in August 2023 as an ESOL student. In this essay, Joana talks about how arduous and heartbreaking it is to separate from loved ones. In her case, this was not because of conflict or war; rather, it stems from the hope to transform lives, both hers and those of her loved ones, making sacrifices with the promise of a brighter future.
Goodbye Mamá!
According to Nelson Mandela, “Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine worker can become the head of the mine, that the child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation.”
It was a Sunday morning. I’ll never forget the day I had to leave home in pursuit of new and better opportunities in my life and go to college. It was one of the scariest days of my life. Even so, I knew I had to go away if my desire was to change the outcome. I was not only going through a roller coaster of emotions, but also, I didn’t know what to expect in this new place. Until then, I had lived my whole life with my family, a younger sister, my mom’s parents, and mom.
“How am I going to survive in that city?” I asked my eldest sister, who was already living in Cali, Colombia, the city that was awaiting me.
“I am not sure yet. However, I’ll be here, and we’ll figure it out,” she spoke on the phone.
The previous day, I packed my belongings in a small backpack and a black garbage bag. With little to take along, organizing everything was a swift task. Indeed, I selected my better clothes, some family pictures, and a valuable gift I got from my high school literature teacher, a heartfelt letter.
That morning was as cold as ice. While I was preparing the final details, mom was making coffee. It was the one she always used to make every morning for the whole family with infinite love as much as the sky, and the one I wouldn’t be able to taste for a while. At the same time, the fresh aroma of dark roast coffee enveloped the entire house. After brewing the coffee, my mom went back to bed.
Meanwhile, I went to the kitchen and grabbed a cup. The smoking cup of coffee made me think of her. So, while drinking my hot beverage, I walked slowly to my mom’s bedroom, which was a few steps from the kitchen. There she was, lying in bed, and looking at the ceiling as if lost in space. I looked at her face. She resembled so much sadness that I felt a knot in my throat, and I couldn’t talk nor swallow my drink. I was also looking woeful. Oh gosh! How much melancholy was perceived inside that tiny room.
After a few seconds of silence, sniffling, she stared at me and spoke from the heart, “I don’t want you to leave, and my heart is broken into pieces. Even so, I know it’s the best decision for you. Follow your dreams and study hard. I raised you to be a strong woman, and I believe in you.” Tears came down her cheeks as a flooding river, and down mine as well. Nevertheless, her words encouraged me to take the risk and step outside my comfort zone.
On the other hand, for an instant I questioned myself, “Who is going to shout my name on weekends?” saying, “Joana! The sun is rising, it is time to get up.” The realization struck me. “Nobody,” I thought. Yet, while mom wouldn’t be physically present, her spirit and love would surround me in every place and moment, affirming that a mother’s love transcends physical distance. Those were the thoughts that served as a guiding light, propelling me forward on my journey.
Although mom is as bright as a full moon and has a heart of gold, she didn’t have the opportunity to complete her education. She just studied until 3rd grade because her parents made her drop out of school and sent her to work. At that time, my grandparents believed that school wasn’t necessary, and people just needed to work to survive. Since she was just a child, she didn’t have another choice. Even though she wanted a different life, her fears confined her to staying with her parents until they passed away.
Finally, a sound emitted by the horn of a stair bus announced to me that it was time to depart. We lived in the countryside. For this reason, I had to get in a “chiva” to get to the closer town. A chiva is a brightly colored, open-air stair bus used as public transportation in rural Colombia. They are called stair buses because they have a second floor reached by a staircase located at the back.
Now, it was around 6:00 in the morning. There was the bus, stopped in front of me, and on its front, a bright word that said “Mi Consentida” (My Spoiled). People in Colombia give stair buses unique names such as, “The Always Faithful,” The Dreamer,” or “The Powerful.” Their bright colors are yellow, blue, and red because of the Colombian flag. The variety of drawings such as art with scenes, landscapes, and other elements of Colombia’s culture, called me to get on the bus.
Momentarily, with my fears in my pockets, I stepped one, then two steps up onto the bus. It was full of people, chickens, and merchandise, among other things. These buses are designed to move on the most complicated roads. Therefore, I couldn’t care less how overfull it was. I was just focused on finding an available seat. Finally, I found a seat. I sat without hesitation, and through the window, I observed how that diminutive, humble house was vanishing between the big mountains. Meanwhile, a crying voice inside of me cried out, “Goodbye Mamá!” Mom was standing at the door, waving at me, until I could no longer see her.
Subsequently, the bittersweet taste of leaving was all over my body. I was afraid of not seeing her every day by my side, not seeing her sweet smile every morning, and not being around to support her when she needed somebody. However, strength is part of my clothing, and after sorrowful moments, the hope of changing my life and making hers better as well, won the battle.
ESOL Voices is a collection of stories written by ESOL students at Monroe Community College. This publication highlights our MCC students who come from all over the world. Look for new stories in the Tribune. We hope you enjoy our students’ stories as much as we do.
Pamela Fornieri & Bridget Dee, ESOL Program, December 2023