The Garofalos
My New Life in America
Told by Hirondina Maria F. da Sousa
Report by Kelly Garofalo & Melissa Darling
6/9/97
Leaving Portugal was probably the hardest decision my husband and I ever had to make. As all parents do, Manuel and I wanted to give our children what we never had. We wanted to give them the opportunity and freedom to fulfill all of their dreams. All in all, leaving our homeland was the best choice we ever made. Today our children are all successful and happy in their lives. That is truly what makes all of our struggles seem worth it.
It may seem as though I am saying that our lives were never tough, but it wasn't as easy as it may sound. Life was hard and nothing was ever given to me on a silver platter. Everything I have, I worked for.
When we first arrived here we knew absolutely no English. We had no money, no home, no car, and no way of supporting ourselves. My eldest sister, Olivia was kind enough to take us in, but we couldn't stay there forever. After a month, my husband and I ventured out on our own. We took our three young children and moved into a small, cramped apartment. After only one year in America, we were able to save up enough money to buy a car and house.
Five miles from our tiny apartment in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, we moved to a somewhat small, but comfortable home. I soon became pregnant with our fourth child. One month before the birth of my youngest son, my Godmother came from her apartment in Fall River to live with us and help take care of the baby. Indian Orchard would become our home for the next six years.
Next we made our home in Somerset, Massachusetts. I quickly began working for the Quaker Factory in Fall River, while my husband continued his construction work.
Somerset has been our home for twenty four years. My husband and I still live on 167 Sheraton Avenue, where we raised our children. Life has definitely been one big struggle for this family but, hey, we made it! I think that if you had told me thirty years ago that I would achieve everything I ever wanted for myself and my family, I probably wouldn't have believed you. Life has been good to me. God has blessed in so many ways. For that I will be eternally thankful.
I admire my grandmother for all of what she has done in her lifetime. She's not rich or famous; she's just an ordinary woman who did extraordinary things.