Interviewee: Elba I. Santiago
Interviewer: Sophy Torres
Relationship: Mother
Date: November 3, 2002
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Independent Mother

What is your full name?

Elba I. Santiago

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rican

What is your date of birth?

December 16, 1963

Where were you born?

Juan Diaz, Puerto Rico.

When did you (move to the U.S./move from somewhere else in the U.S.) to Philadelphia?

September 4, 1986

Why did you leave your country/State/former place of residence?

To live a better life where I could be an independent mother.

What did you like/dislike about your home/country?

I like Puerto Rico traditions. I didn’t like the fact that it was hard to find a job to support my two kids. That’s why I came to Philly.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

Because there were more opportunities here and also because I had family members here.

How did you travel here?/What type of transportation did you use/take to travel here? How would you change that?

On America Air Line, plane. Didn’t need to.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

P.H.A. helped me until I got on my feet.

With whom did you travel? [Who did you travel with?]

With my two kids.

Give 1 thing you remember most about your home town and why?

I remember having my kids and having my mother right by my side through my pregnancy.

How did your life change when you moved and what were the differences between the two places?

Here in Philly I had a lot of jobs opportunities and in Puerto Rico I didn’t.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

To learn English, get my G.E.D. and have a better life for me and my children.

What did you come here to accomplish and what else do you feel you still need to do?

I came here to accomplish my dream of being a better mother and to get an education that I once left behind.

What are the differences between when you came here and now?

When I first came it was hard to start from scratch, but now I have accomplish my goals in life.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I sacrificed leaving my family behind.

What problems did you encounter coming to the US/Philly?

The problem was that I had to live with my brother until I found out about P.H.A.

How much money did you have and where did you get it when you came to Philly/US?

About $100 that my mom gave me before I left.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

Step by step until I got use to it.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

Because I was experiencing life, I learn a lot on my own and started meeting people that could help me on the long run.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I had dropped out in the 9th grade in Puerto Rico and when I came to Philly I had gotten my G.E.D.

Do you [ever] regret moving? Why or why not?

No, because I had my doors opening for me, better yet more opportunities here.

What reason would/could make you go back to where you came from?

If anybody in my family was to pass away GOD forbid.

Describe your first job here. If you didn't have one, how did you get money?

I didn’t have one. My brother.