In Stockton, California, local organizations like El Concilio have long supported migrant families, helping them navigate the challenges of building a new life. One Central American woman, Esli Gelista Bran, turned to this nonprofit to secure an education for her young children.
Her two-year-old son, Santurnino, is enrolled at the El Concilio preschool center, where he is learning English alongside other children from underserved communities. Esli’s family stands out, as Santurnino is trilingual, speaking English, Spanish, and K'iche', a Guatemalan language his father taught him.
Esli’s journey to the U.S. began when she left Guatemala, leaving her eldest daughter with her parents, and traveling north with her then 8-year-old son. After two days of walking, she finally arrived in Stockton, determined to offer her children a better future through education.
Esli is grateful for the opportunities her children now have. She hopes her eldest son will become an attorney, helping the immigrant community. While her dream is for them to achieve the American Dream, she is thankful to live in a country that prioritizes education.
Both she and her husband work hard to support their family, with Esli cleaning homes and her husband working in construction. They continue to send support to their family back in Guatemala, all while ensuring their children have a bright future.
