Summary
Highlights
Marta recounts her early life, moving to Venezuela at three and later returning to Colombia at 18, where she fell in love with her first cousin, Orlando. Despite family opposition and societal disapproval, they eloped, had two children, and endured seven years of a tumultuous relationship marked by his machismo and abuse. Their life took a tragic turn when Orlando, a traveling salesman, was disappeared by the FARC guerrilla in 1999 during a time of intense conflict in rural Colombia.
In her desperate search for answers, Marta undertook two perilous journeys to the FARC-controlled area of La Branza Grande. During her first visit, a FARC member offered to release her husband in exchange for sexual favors, which she refused. On her second visit, confronting the commander, she was brutally told that her husband had been killed and his body disposed of, a revelation that led her to bury him in her heart, as advised by a local priest, and focus on her children's future.
Marta later learned from a former FARC collaborator that Orlando was tortured and killed by mistake, mistaken for an informant. This devastating truth solidified her resolve to move forward. She recounts her struggles as a young widow, taking on a cleaning job and later venturing into sales to make ends meet, showcasing her innate entrepreneurial spirit.
Marta's resourcefulness led her to Agua Azul, Casanare, where she successfully started a business selling traditional Colombian food items. Her hard work paid off, allowing her to acquire her first plot of land. However, this period of prosperity was shattered by a traumatic incident where a neighbor attempted to harm her daughter, forcing Marta to abandon her dreams and flee with her children for their safety.
Years later, Marta received a small compensation from the Colombian government for Orlando's forced disappearance, which she used to buy a house in Sogamoso. With her children grown, Marta, burdened by debt and seeking a new life, made the arduous decision to migrate. Her journey led her to Chile, where she found stability and a sense of community, working as a nanny and forming a new relationship.
Driven by her partner's dream, Marta embarked on the challenging journey to the United States. She vividly describes the harrowing experience of crossing the US-Mexico border, enduring inhumane conditions in detention centers, and facing deportation. Her resilient spirit led her to try again, ultimately arriving in the US, where she now works in house cleaning, though she grapples with health issues and the high cost of living. Marta reflects on the bittersweet reality of the 'American Dream' at her age, emphasizing the importance of quality of life over monetary gain and urging others to consider the sacrifices involved.
Despite the challenges, Marta remains determined. She shares her current work in house cleaning and her ambition to venture into e-commerce through platforms like Amazon. She uses her TikTok account, 'Mi nueva realidad,' to share her experiences and inspire other women. Marta concludes by reflecting on the profound impact of her journey, particularly how her faith and intuition have guided her through unimaginable hardships, and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share her story.