A Mother’s Story: Maria

Beginning Mother’s Day weekend, Global Refuge is sharing a weekly story celebrating mothers and mother figures who have risked everything to pursue safety and a brighter future for the children in their care.

Like many parents facing limited opportunities at home, Maria was willing to risk everything to give her son a more promising future. Maria grew up in a small, traditional village in Guatemala, where girls rarely go to school. After her father migrated to the U.S., Maria’s mother became the sole provider for the family. Maria attended school until third grade—a significant accomplishment in her community—married at 17, and had a child at the age of 18.

Her husband, like so many men in her community, migrated to the U.S. to work so he could send money back home. With the desire to reunify with her husband, Maria decided to take the dangerous journey to the U.S. with her 4-year-old son in tow. But several days into her trek, Maria and her son were detained in Mexico and returned to Guatemala.

Having experienced extreme difficulties and dangers during her migration, Maria decided not to attempt the journey again and sought the support of Global Refuge to help build a stable life for herself and her son at home.

Camino a Casa is a Global Refuge program that helps young people who return to Central America after trying to migrate to the U.S. Funded entirely by private donations, the program has helped more than 1,000 youth and families since launching in 2024.

Every young person in the program—ranging in age from 14 to 24 years old—receives help addressing critical challenges including trauma, lack of job prospects, difficulty returning to school, family separation, and lack of access to medical services, to name a few.

With the assistance provided through Camino a Casa, Maria was able to enroll in a vocational institute to pursue a career in cosmetology. This opportunity has given her a newfound sense of confidence and drive to become financially independent and successful. While the path ahead will not be easy, she looks forward to raising her son, gaining her independence, and building the best possible future for her family