I Am A Child Of Genocide Survivors

Facing a reality of my inception into an underprivileged life with small business owners for parents and siblings much older than I am, still struggling to find stability in their lives. I constantly questioned how I would turn out. I understood at a young age the perplexities of my family's struggles, that I lacked all the resources such as financial assistance, lack of insight, and encouragement from my family. Thus, leaving me ill prepared for my future and for the rest of my life to come.

When I was a child, most of the stories or situations I have been through was, mostly, my dad hitting me and my parents fighting constantly; so pretty much I did not really grew up watching Barney, traveling to places, and going to Disneyland often. I thought I would have to live like this for the rest of my academic life, but one day around the age of eight, my dream came true. My parents had enough of each other, so they went their own ways; even though, I was glad that I do not have to life miserably anymore, I was not. I thought that everything would settle down and live a calm life with my mom, but as a result, I ended up raising my two siblings. My dad left the house, my mom was in her own world, and I had to watch my siblings. I thought my parents divorce would benefit me, but all it did was for me to not live as an eight-year-old would. I thought that my dream of going to a great university and becoming a Physician Assistant came crashing down. A couple weeks later, my dad came back and long-story short, my siblings and I had to go hang out with my dad for

Throughout life I’ve experienced a rather unpleasant childhood with the absence of my guiding figures: my parents. Seeing them rush in and out of the house to go to the hospital with my younger brother shaped me in a way nothing else could have. It made me who I am today, as well as aspired me towards what I want to be one day.

My childhood was split over two different and unique cultures. This special upbringing presented me with challenges that lead me to continually reflect on my life and identity throughout my childhood. I had to adapt to different educational systems as my family moved back and forth between Syria and the United States. However, that only motivated me to work harder and seize the opportunities that surrounded me at every point of my life. I learned to treat obstacles and hardships as chances for growth and development.

For genocide survivors, the agony does not end when the killing stops. The annihilation of families, communities, and the entire ways of life make it difficult for survivors to move on with life. My family and many other Cambodians, survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime, shared a history of survival, suffering, and loss. My grandparents and parents are not afraid to share their painful past with my brother and I. Typically, the question of how did I manage to survive comes up. For many Cambodians, 1975 to 1979 was a four-year journey to hell on earth. For the purpose of this assignment, I decided to interview my grandfather, who basically jump-started my family migration to the United States. My family was separated when my grandfather has to

My parent’s struggles taught me to never accept defeat because there are endless possibilities for those who don’t give up. Their perseverance for a better life sparked a sense of determination in me that ignited a fuel for prosperity, and an optimism for bigger and better opportunities not only for me, but for my

Throughout my life I faced a lot of challenges. I had to overcome the obstacle that was on my way. The obstacle made me stronger and made me the person who I am right now a ambitious and hardworking student. The problem shaped me up because I know that I have to work for what I want and to not depend on no one, this made me more independent. Also, I learned from my mistake and try to do better.

As a child dealing with domestic abuse, this is the first time I faced adversity. Later, being abandon by our father, made it difficult for my mother falling on hard times financially, along with raising three children as a single parent. I was the first to graduate from high school out of my immediate family, at this time I was content

I was forced into a situation where I had to grow up very quickly and had to be strong. Those days sparked a fire in me that has carried with me throughout my life with determination and dedication to be the best I can be, not only for myself, but from where I am from. I have kindled this fire inside of me from those events and lived off of it, breathed it. I have seen devastation and destruction in my very own front yard, and it only pushed me to become something great, for those days caused me to open my eyes and see the world for what it really is. It caused me to realize that life can be very hard, and can throw us for a loop, but no matter what through hard work and dedication I can achieve my goals and dreams. Through my hard work and dedication I can build up success from the ground up, just as the city of Waveland has done. Throughout the eleven years after Hurricane Katrina I have seen the world around me rebuilt, and with it I have built myself. I have created a structure that supports a mindset of dedication, commitment, and hard work to reach my goals. I have persevered through the struggles of living in a ghost town, of coming home to no

“The Early College High School will genuinely engage first-generation college-bound students to complete a rigorous curriculum, supported by technology, that is clearly aligned to student interest and state standards. Flexible coursework will be provided in a challenging and supportive environment with an applied learning focus that provides students a structure that enables them to earn their high school diploma and to overlap those efforts with those needed to earn an associate degree, leading to a bachelor degree and employment.”

Despite the love and support of my family, I did succumb to making poor choices. I started hanging with the wrong group of friends, caring less about school, doing things the Lizmery now wouldn’t do. My perspective changed when I entered high school. I noticed how much of a rebel I had been with my family. I understood then, all the things that my mother had done and sacrificed to give my sister and me the world. I saw my sister earn her master's degree and buy a house. As the youngest, I had great role models in front of me. I knew that what I did in the next four years had to be drastic. I had to step outside of my comfort zone, leave the negative friends behind, and take my education

After the phsycilogical abuse from my parents, my only goal was to graduate and nothing further until I befriended my sister's friend. I didn't really think much of him until I discovered his past. This person came from living with a physically abusive father to living on the streets to becoming this successful person standing right infront of me. This person has shown me that no matter what background or family you come from, you can always bring yourself up. Because of this person I've been able to become who I am

Throughout my life I have gone through more destitution than numerous people expect a teenager to go through. I have gained confidence and an independent spirit from the hardships I have experienced. The rejection I have experienced from my family is the obstacle bearing the greatest impact on my life. After my family left the Amish, we faced rejection and were shunned by the rest of the family. To this day, sixteen years later, this shunning is still occurring. I have not met or even seen most of my extended family as a result of this punishment. While this hardship has caused much suffering, it has also brought out strengths in myself I did not know I had.

The first half of my life was a difficult time for my family. My mother, who married at fourteen, was raising seven children almost single handedly. Throughout those years, we lived in many different places, some of which include, Motel 6, Ramada, Super 8, and not to mention the comfort of a 1999 maroon Chevy Malibu. Although my memory is vague, when looking back, I always recall plenty of yelling, arguments, and aggression, the majority of it coming from my father directed to my mother.

Life was not easy in the matter of accomplishing my goals while people were verbally attacking me. It was tough always getting named called about by emaciated figure. The support of my parents kept me