Sandra’s Extraordinary Story
Looking Forward to a Brighter Reality
Sandra, from California, USA, is one of those finalists who has bravely conquered trauma from her early life and is on the successful path to living her dream and creating a better life for her family.
Overcoming Hardships
A sexual abuse survivor, Sandra was first molested at age nine. Then her father was deported, and Sandra’s mother abandoned her when she was 11. She was raped at age 13, which resulted in a pregnancy, and spent years in an abusive relationship. Yet this strong mother of four would not be defeated. Inspired by the academic advisors who have helped her navigate the higher education system, she is studying sociology and hopes to become an academic advisor. She looks forward to a brighter reality for herself and her children.
My dream is to earn a bachelor’s degree and eventually a masters in order to leave all these hardships behind. I want to show my children that even through all the messy obstacles it can be done, and goals can be reached.
Watch Sandra share her amazing story
Alma’s Extraordinary Story
Overcoming Sickness and Achieving a Career
Alma’s family immigrated to the United States when she was a child. She and grew up on a migrant farm, where her parents worked in the fields. Alma and her parents did not speak English, making it hard to communicate and integrate into their new country.
Alma dreams of completing a degree in child development, becoming a math teacher, and eventually earning a master’s degree.
Battling Illness
“As a child I had many dreams and aspired to reach every single one of them. However, life has many ways of reminding us that some dreams are harder to reach—and not just because my family faced harsh socio-economic struggles—but also because as a teenager, at the peak of my adolescence, I became quite ill.”
Alma contracted an aggressive kidney disease that plagued her for several years, and was bullied in high school for the visible side effects of the treatment. Despite her health challenges, Alma was still responsible for sustaining a family of six, by cooking and cleaning after school while her parents worked.
Determination and Strength
After graduating high school, Alma became pregnant with her daughter and was told that having the child had high risks because of Alma’s illness. The doctors warned the pregnancy could result in the death of her child or herself. Alma was determined to have her daughter, and fought to get stronger. This devotion to the well-being of her daughter continues to this day. 
Alma is pursuing her education goals in order to create a better life for her daughter. “Overcoming all the obstacles life has set before me have reminded me of my dreams and how hard they can be to achieve.” Alma acknowledges the work and dedication needed to fulfill her dream, and her perseverance has her on the right path.
Overcoming Obstacles
Alma is already close to completing an associates of arts degree in child development. Along with work and school, she maintains a supportive and loving relationship with her daughter, and shows her goals can be accomplished despite obstacle.
Receiving these awards is a small testament to my ongoing fight in achieving a career so I can create a better life for my daughter.
Paula’s Extraordinary Story
Prevailing Over Poverty and Hardships
Paula was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in a very poor and violent household. After her father nearly beat her mother to death one night, Paula, her mom and two brothers finally fled—running from place to place for safety. By age 10, Paula was cooking, cleaning and caring for her siblings while her mother worked.
Fighting for Improvements
Paula had a voracious drive to learn, teaching herself to read at the age of 4. She went to public school up until she was 14, when she dropped out to work full-time. However, this did not mean Paula lost her ambition. She was a frequent visitor to the library, and fought for improvements in Brazilian schools.
After having her first child at the age of 20, Paula was determined to make a better life for her and her baby. “When I realized that I had become responsible for someone, I decided to go back to school. I was able to get my high school diploma. I wanted to be a doctor, but I didn’t believe I could pass the entrance exam and I would not be able to stop working because I had my young son to raise.”
Creating a Stable Home Environment
Her financial situation worsened, and she struggled to pay the rent in the slums. She and her son moved to another city in Brazil, where she focused on getting an education and creating a stable home environment.
Paula wanted nothing more than to study at medical school, and her never-ending persistence got her there. But it wasn’t easy. She worked hard to pay her way to a prep school to study for the medical school entrance exam, which she ultimately passed.
Paula continues to strive to reach her goals.
My dream is to become a good doctor and help other women understand the great value of their bodies and health.
Her main challenge is working at several jobs while also going to school. She has to survive and make ends meet, but the jobs take time away from classes and studying. “The Live Your Dream Awards will help me finish my internship and only focus on medicine in my last year, without worrying about bills and other external obligations.” Paula, no doubt, will succeed in achieving her dream.
Watch Paula share her amazing story
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