Rosa Castillo & Ramon Peralta
My journey started one late, afternoon. My grandson’s mother Jenny asked, if I would like to build a house in my home country of Dominican Republic someday. I told her my dream of owning a little house in the United States.
When I was a child, my house was made of wooden boards, dirt floor, and a roof made of cane. We had only one bedroom.We all slept together – my eight siblings, mom and dad. I had 14 siblings, but six of them died very small. I was only able to attend public school up to sixth grade, if you want to keep going to school your parents had to pay. My parents verily had money for food. Making it impossible to continue school. I began helping my mother crafting Cana seats to sell at the market.
I was 23 years old when I got married. I moved with my husband to the capital Santo Domingo. Little did I know what life had in store. I was physically and verbally abused. I was humiliated and ridiculed by my husband and his family. By the time I got the courage and decided to leave him, I had two children. I went back to my parents’ home. I knew they didn’t have much. But, I knew my children and I would be safe. I begin working all types of jobs possible to raise my children. Their father did not help in any way since I left him.
After a very long time, I decided to give marriage a chance. After seven years of marriage, I was living in Dominican Republic and my husband in New York. When I came to the United States, I thought I was going to finally be able to work hard and buy my home. Little did I know life had other plans.
I saw this as great opportunity to help my parents and siblings. I worked hard as a home attendant for 10 years. I had to send money to my parents and to help my siblings with school expenses. I’m the fourth child of eight and I’m the only one who lives in the United States.
I give the Lord thanks for giving me the strength every day to work to fulfill my duties as a daughter to my parents. I was able provide enough money to send my parents for food and medications.
I write this not because I like it. But to let other women whom, like me, have had so many difficulties to know that God does not forsake his children.
As the years passed, I found myself at 61 years old without a house to call my own. I learned about the Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity in January 2019 from a family member. I decide to apply in March 2019, putting everything in God’s hands.
May 2019 was one of the happiest days of my life. When I opened my door to find Dani and the CDHFH members holding a banner. We were approved to become Habitat homeowners. I felt very blessed and I thanked the Lord for his blessing.
I always dreamed of owning my own home. When I learned about CDHFH, my dreams became possible. Although we speak little English, Habitat found a way for us to communicate. Now, we are on our way to becoming Habitat homeowners. Muchas Gracias to everyone in CDHFH.
