At just 20 years old, with a heart full of courage and dreams, she made the momentous decision to leave her home Arequipa, embarking on a journey that would forever change her life.

In the 1970s, she moved to Madrid, in Spain, driven by the dream of becoming a nurse. This decision marked the beginning of her migration journey, a journey filled with hope and determination. Leaving one’s country always has a reason, and in her case, it was to have a better life. A decision encouraged by her mother, a woman who always believed in seeking better opportunities, she set off to forge a new path. Saying goodbye was heart-wrenching, especially parting from her supportive mother. Her mother’s encouragement became her cornerstone in pursuing this long journey. Although Spanish is her mother tongue, she had deep concerns about bureaucratic hurdles and the level of academic preparation required in the healthcare industry. Despite these fears, she graduated in 1977, finding the challenges less daunting than she had imagined.

In the 1980s, another opportunity beckoned, leading her to Switzerland. Through the Swiss Consulate, she secured a work contract and a “permit B” in Neuchâtel. This time, the challenge was even greater—she had to learn French which she did not know a word. It was a significant change, but she embraced it with resilience. And she even trained in a new specialty: dialysis. She knew it was hard even more because she was alone but her strength was deeper because that  her employment was a crucial support for her family in Peru. This gave her a sense of purpose during hard times.