Life brings surprises

Life

brings surprises

El proceso de escritura en Soy Autor ha demostrado ir The allá, writing process in en Soy una Autor evoques an authentic más al convertirse experiencia auténtica de experience of self discovery. The following piece is the auto descubrimiento. La presente obra es el resultado result of the collaborative work between students and del trabajo colaborativo entre estudiantes y docentes, teachers to find the hear t of the story, through the para encontrar el corazón de su historia y reflejarla en publication of their first illustrated Memoir. su primer memoir ilustrado.

With the support of:

En colaboración con:

Embajada de los Estados Unidos El Salvador

Life

brings surprises

When I was a little boy, I wanted many things, like going to school, learning how to write and read.

My pastime was the same as every other child’s.

To play!

But my reality was another.

At 4 years old, my father died and my mother did not spend much time at home because of her job.

My mother had dark skin and black hair.

Months later, I went to live with my grandparents.

There, I came to live a different kind of life.

My hopes and dreams crumbled down.

Slowly, with time, I started to work beside my grandfather and cousins.

There was always more work to do during the rainy season.

Every morning I woke up at 5:00 am to go to work. With my machete and sickle.

As I entered my teenage years, I learned my first bad habits, like smoking, drinking and many more. I met new people that my family did not like and did not want me to spend time with.

Nevertheless, my life would give me a PRESENT, something that changed my way of thinking. For the first time in my life, I felt an emotion in my heart.

Tears would fall down my eyes and through my cheeks.

I was happy!

Then I held between my arms the reason for my happiness. I named him Kevin.

And that is how Kevin filled the emptiness in my heart.

With Kevin’s arrival my thoughts were different.

I wanted to give him everything I didn’t have as a child, but destiny wouldn’t let me.

When Kevin was about 6 months old, I was travelling on a bus that went from the village to the canton.

I was captured by the police and they took me to prison, away from my biggest treasure, Kevin.

I was taken into prison and always asked myself what had been of Kevin.

I felt like I was in a tunnel without exit, surrounded by darkness; without being able to see his first steps.

I was convicted to 60 years in prison.

I do not know what’s going to happen with Kevin.

It’s been 2 years now in this place and to this life Maria Santos has come.

Maria is a friend I met when I was free.

Maria is a friend I met when I was free.

Maria supports me, and me being in a sector and her in another, we always write to each other. That is how we started a relationship.

We decided to get married 3 years after being together. Now she is my wife and I am a happy man. With the woman that God gave me.

That is how I hope my son Kevin finds his way and does not take bad choices.

Now, I’ve been in prison for as long as Kevin has been alive.

Maria and I are together, and we are happy even if we do not have our freedom. But we have each other.

I always ask myself when will I see you again.

And only God knows, Kevin.

My name William Alexander Meisllamo Betty

My family name is Salguero Melgar

Mi familia es de apellido Hernández Rodríguez I´m happy, talkative and angry

Soy amigable, curiosa y un poco amable My brother is José Francisco

Hermana deup Patricia, Mirna,byDinora, Delmi, I grew surrounded rivers and creeksMelissa, in Julissa Quezaltepeque city

fishing, Coconut and pupusas Crecí entreI like la naturaleza, entremilk paredes de adobe y amor feel happy and proud of myself En la Iciudad de La Palma, Chalatenango I give the world my music

Me gusta aprender, divertirme y escribir I´m afraid of being alone

Me siento nerviosa I would likecontenta to see myy son Kevin William and I’m an LeI´mregalo al Alexander mundo mis ganas deauthor. luchar

Me da miedo perder lo que más amo Me gustaría ver a mis papás y a mi hijo Soy Betty y soy luchadora.