Hender from El Salvador

Everything changed when I started high school. In my first three days, problems with gangs started happening. I had to leave my high school because we received a call from gang members threatening my family and me, and they wanted to force us to give money as a way to intimidate us.

During the call from gang members, we had to negotiate on money with them because they did not stop. They did not leave us alone and they scared us. Then we had to leave our house and go to another place out of the city. But still we were not safe because we didn’t escape far from where we were originally and because they control most of the country. My mother decided my life was at risk. Thinking about going to the U.S. frightened me. It was difficult for me because I didn’t want to leave my country and friends in El Salvador.

When I got to the U.S., I met my parents for the first time after 16 years. It was the most amazing experience that I ever had. I first saw my mother. She lunged at me and she hugged me. We were both crying. My father was in shock behind my mother. He could not move anywhere and I saw tearful eyes looking at me. I said “Hi dad” and he kept standing without saying anything. My mother said, “Hender, go and hug your father.” I hugged him and we together start crying. Finally, he said, “I waited a long time for this day to come.”

That day was the most important in my life. For the first time I felt free from the horrible things that were happening in my home country. Nowadays I live happy and safe with my family.

It’s important for me to tell my story because I want to people know about why I came here and what is happening in my country.

Watch Hender & other students share their stories at KIND’s annual gala.