I have loved Tucson since the first day that I got here from Peru in 2002. I’m married to an American guy. In the beginning I felt like I was in a different world, a cultural shock. It was very challenging for me. I traveled back to Peru several times to make sure I wanted to stay in Tucson. Peru felt different, too, so that’s when I understood that my place was here in Tucson. I decided to start taking more English classes at Pima where I learned so much and met so many people like me. I wanted to work with the community, so I decided to volunteer at Emerge!, the center for domestic abuse, as an advocate, and later I was hired as a community educator at SACASA. I volunteered with AmeriCorps which connected with one of my passions, education. I am now an instructor with Pima Community College Adult Education, teaching English to Latinos and also teaching reading and writing to help students get their GEDs. I am proud to do something for my community here, especially for the immigrants. I want to help others the way that so many people helped me get through the difficult times.

-Etty