Breaking the Cycle: Fighting for Education and Justice

I come from a family of ten siblings, and I am the only one who went to school. In my community in Colombia, especially where I grew up, many girls stop going to school around the age of 15 because they become pregnant. Education for girls is often interrupted very early.

Continuing school was also difficult because there were not enough teachers. Classes were often irregular, and opportunities were limited. But I wanted something different for my life.

I decided to break that cycle. I left my community and my family and moved to the city so I could continue my education.

In the city, I pursued my studies in law. I believed that education could open doors not only for me, but for others who needed their rights protected.

Later, I was given an opportunity that felt like a dream: the chance to travel to the Netherlands to pursue a master’s degree. It was a big step and an important milestone in my journey.

However, the path was not easy. I faced many systemic challenges, especially related to immigration laws and bureaucratic barriers. Navigating these systems while trying to build my future was extremely difficult.

Despite the challenges, my goal remains clear. I am studying to become a lawyer who advocates for the rights of refugees and people who are often unheard.

But sometimes reality feels complicated.

“I am studying to become a lawyer for the rights of refugees, yet I still have to fight for my own rights first.”

My journey continues, but I carry with me the belief that education, resilience, and justice can create change for myself and for others.