Interviewee: Ramona Cruz
Interviewer: Atalia Villafane
Relationship: Mother
Date: May 6, 2002

The best for my daughter

What is your full name?

Ramona Cruz

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rican

What is your date of birth?

I was born March 25, 1965.

Where were you born?

I was born in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.

When did you move to Philadelphia?

I moved to the United States in 1989. My daughter was four years old.

Why did you leave Puerto Rico?

I moved because I wanted my daughter to have a better place to be raised in.

What did you like/dislike about Puerto Rico?

What I liked the most about Puerto Rico was living by the edge of the sea; my house was right in front of it. I would wake up in the mornings and step out to my porch and just enjoy the sun breaking out of the water it was a beautiful sight. What I disliked most about Puerto Rico was the weather, mainly the hurricanes but there was nothing else I disliked about Puerto Rico.

Why did you choose Philadelphia?

I chose Philadelphia because my sister and my mother lived here and I wanted to give my daughter a better place to live. In Puerto Rico I was having problems with my boyfriend and just decided to pack my stuff and leave - just like that.

How did you travel here? How would you change that?

I traveled here by airplane. To change it, I wouldn't because airplanes are the fastest form of transportation.

How did you find a place to live in Philadelphia?

When I got here I moved in with my sister - into her apartment with a cousin.

With who did you travel?

I traveled here with my daughter, Atalia, she was four years old.

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

One thing I remember from Puerto Rico is family and friends, I miss them very much but they are always in my heart.

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

My life changed quickly because in Puerto Rico I was used to the country and to move into the city, it's a big change.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I actually didn't expect anything here I moved over here to start a new beginning for me and my daughter to work from scratch and go on from there, basically.

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

I came here to accomplish a better way of living for my daughter and I believe I have accomplished what I wanted.  My daughter has gone to school, she has made honors - something I never had a chance to achieve in grade school. She is in high school and is trying to do her best and she is planning to go to college which is wonderful. I came here so that my daughter could have the best opportunities and I have accomplished that.

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

The difference from when I came was that I came over here single and now: I'm married. I got married on February 9, 2002 and I'm the happiest I can ever be. Also when I came here I didn't own anything. Now I own a house, I own a car, I went to college and I raised my daughter to what she is now.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I sacrificed my friends and family and my house, and the liberty of knowing everything around me to move into a country where I had to adapt to.

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

Having to start from nothing basically, no home, no job, I guess that was the real problem.

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

When I came from P.R. I had enough to get me and my daughter in a plane to get to Philly. The rest of the money was from my family until I got a job.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I adapted fairly quick but I had to get used to the noise of the city. In P.R. all you can hear is the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks or the crickets and coquis out of your windows.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

My daughter is my number one priority and I believe everything came out for both our benefits, if she's happy I'm happy.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

Before I arrived I had to finish school with a GED and later when I came here in my daughter's elementary school, which was Cramp School, there was this program called PACT. I had the opportunity to study at Harcum under Early Childhood Education and I had the chance to work at her school.

Do you ever regret moving? Why or why not?

No, not at all. I came here for my daughter's benefit and it has worked out well.

What reason would make you go back to Puerto Rico?

Since my daughter is almost out of high school and she is planning her life since I'm married and soon expecting a child, I guess I would move back and start a home with my husband and go on from there if it's God's will.

Describe your first job here.

My first job here was working as a store clerk and later I became assistant manager.