The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXI

Jenifer Garcia Jimon
Alexias Soares, Teacher
Roosevelt Middle School, New Bedford, MA
Back then I was a seven year old girl, I was in Guatemala, coming to the
United States. We barely had money for food and clothes. Also, it wasn’t easy
going to school because it was far away from home. My dad moved to the
United States first, and my mom decided she wanted us to be safe and live a
good life. After two days my mom decided to come to the United States and
reunite with my dad.
One experience when I showed courage was when I was seven. Me, my mom,
and my brother were going to cross the angry river. The water moved very fast,
so you had to use support. You couldn’t swim. We were scared that the river
would flip us over and we would fall into the angry river. I took the risk and
went first. I sat in a girl’s lap. The water came faster and harder as we went,
but we made it just in time. When it was my mom and brother’s turn, in the
middle of the river, the tire they were on tipped over, and they fell in.
“My mother always
told me that it
doesn’t matter what
you have to do,
you should always
help others out,
and have courage
to be by them.”
I was focused on what I should do because they were both in danger. The
water was really strong, and I was getting really nervous. My brother was crying
and swallowing water, so I made up my mind that I was going to save him
instead of leaving him to drown. He was really young and I cared a lot for him.
I pulled my brother out while my mom was pulled out by other people, and
both survived.
My emotions were getting in the way of my courage when I was pulling in my
brother, because I was getting nervous that I might fall in the water too. I was
scared of losing my brother and mom, but they both survived, and I’m proud
of risking my life and managing to save my little brother.
I had a lot of things running through my head when we crossed the angry
river. We had to get to the United States for a better life, education, and future
for my family. I risked a lot for my little brother while I was worried about my
mom, but she survived.
After going through this experience, I still show courage and help others by
being there when they are having any problems, doing my best to keep them
positive, and helping them on their feet when life gets hard. My mother always
told me that it doesn’t matter what you have to do, you should always help
others out, and have courage to be by them.
The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond
Volume XXXI
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